Harmful impacts of bidegradable oils on forest machines and environment

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of biodegradable synthetic esters on forest machine hydraulics and the forest environment. In addition, the research also included the effect of oils on soil micro-organisms (the plant root worms and Nematoda populations) and microbial activity in oil-polluted soil. Furthermore, new methods for chemical analyses of oily soil were developed, and the amounts of heavy metal residues in soil were determined and compared with the critical limit values set by the EU. Both mineral and biodegradable oils were harmful to seedlings at exposure levels of 3.2 kg of oil per square metre. The height growth and dry mass of Scots pine seedlings were decreased and 16.7 % of the plants died due to exposure to oil. The mortality effect on pubescent birch was 1.5%. Oils were detrimental also to the germination of Scots pine seeds.

Additional information on the project: www.metla.fi/hanke/3321/index-en.htm