Low-field NMR relaxometry: A study of interactions of water with water-repellant soils

Petroleum-induced water repellency in soils is a problem that has been thought to develop randomly following contamination and then remediation of a site with petroleum. The emergence of the phenomenon can occur within months or years of original contamination and with seemingly no warning. Low-field NMR has been used to study these soils and, specifically, the processes of water uptake that occur in them. Critical aspects in the development of this phenomenon have been identified as well-specifically, a dependence on climatic events in the area and contamination levels that contribute are suggested.