Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil from different locations using infrared spectrophotometry and gas chromatography

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) are important environmental contaminants which are toxic to human and environmental receptors. Several analytical methods have been used to quantify TPH levels in contaminated soils, specifically through infrared spectrometry (IR) and gas chromatography (GC). Despite being two of the most used techniques, some issues remain that have been inadequately studied: a) applicability of both techniques to soils contaminated with two distinct types of fuel (petrol and diesel), b) influence of the soil natural organic matter content on the results achieved by various analytical methods, and c) evaluation of the performance of both techniques in analyses of soils with different levels of contamination (presumably non-contaminated and potentially contaminated). The main objectives of this work were to answer these questions and to provide more complete information about the potentials and limitations of GC and IR techniques. The results led us to the following conclusions: a) IR analysis of soils contaminated with petrol is not suitable due to volatilisation losses, b) there is a significant influence of organic matter in IR analysis, and c) both techniques demonstrated the capacity to accurately quantify TPH in soils, irrespective of their contamination levels.

Avaliação do desempenho analítico do método de determinação de TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) por detecção no infravermelho

No presente trabalho os parâmetros de desempenho (validação intralaboratorial) da metodologia de determinação de TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) foram determinados por detecção na região do infravermelho com o equipamento da Infracal TOG/TPH, visando aplicação em amostras de areia contaminadas com petróleo. Os ensaios foram realizados utilizando Óleo Marine Fuel 380, com densidade igual 0,987 g cm-3 e viscosidade de 5313 cP a 20°C. Este óleo foi fornecido pelo Centro de Pesquisa da Petrobrás (CENPES/PETROBRÁS/RJ), sendo o mesmo óleo derramado no acidente ocorrido em janeiro de 2000, na Baia de Guanabara, RJ, quando 1.300 m3 vazaram do duto que interliga a REDUC (Refinaria Duque de Caxias, RJ) ao terminal da Ilha d’Água/RJ, atingindo praias. Os resultados da validação indicaram que o desempenho da metodologia foi favorável à aplicação que se destina. Entre os parâmetros metrológicos obtidos neste trabalho, o limite de detecção do método foi de 4,06 mg L-1, consideravelmente inferior à faixa de concentração normalmente obtida para amostras em tais situações.

Investigations on the Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons on the Marine Bivalves Perna viridis (Linnaeus) and Sunetta scripta (Linne')

The thesis deals with different aspects connected with the distribution and toxicity of PHC in crude oils in the aquatic environment and marine molluscs. Information has been gathered and presented on the present status of research in the field based on a thorough review of recent literature. It is seen from the literature that the resident time of PHC becomes lesser and lesser when crude oil is discharged in large quantities into the coastal waters where excess oxygenation light penetration, temperature availability and strong tidal currents persist. This results in the reduction of the onslaught of oil pollution. This probably shows that taxic insult of crude oil in tropical shores will be relatively lesser than that occurring in temperate and boreal waters. However, there is no record of major episodal oil pollution comparable in quantum and extent to that of Torrey Canyon or Amoco Cadiz which prevents a more reliable analysis on the issue. Considerable controversy exists on the method of estimation of PHC in seawater. However, Ultra-violet fluorescence spectroscopy has been widely recommended as an analytical tool for the determination of total hydrocarbons. Similarly representation of values as chrysene equivalents has been recognised as the most reliable method of Quantum representation.

Validation of an analytical methodology for the quantitative analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine sediment samples

This work describes a validation of an analytical procedure for the analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine sediment samples. The proposed protocol is able to measure n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in samples at concentrations as low as 30 ng/g, with a precision better than 15% for most of analytes. The extraction efficiency of fortified sediments varied from 65.1 to 105.6% and 59.7 to 97.8%, for n-alkanes and PAH in the ranges: C16 - C32 and fluoranthene - benzo(a)pyrene, respectively. The analytical protocol was applied to determine petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments collected from a marine coastal zone.

INVESTIGATIONS ON THE STRESS EFFECTS OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS ON METAPENAEUS DOBSON (MIERS)

The present investigation has addressed the effects of PHC contaminated culture medium on the morphology, physiology and behaviour of shrimps. The shrimp Metapenaeus dobsoni is an important member of the crustacean animal community abounding the oil contaminated benthic regions of Cochin backwater system. Since it is known that true pollutants can disrupt the sustainability of ecosystems by its effect on species, populations and communities,a representative species was used for the study. The results discussed in this work is bound to help in understanding the ecotoxicant resistance that the animal may display under toxic conditions compared to dynamic steady-state systems in nature.

Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Hydrocarbons on the Tropical Teleost Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters)

The present work is a base—|ine attempt to investigate and assess the toxicity of water-accommodated fractions (WAF) of Bombay High crude oil. The experimental animal selected for the present study is a euryhaline teleost, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters), adapted to fresh water. The fish has been selected on account of its economic valve, abundant availability, experimental feasibility, ease of rearing and maintenance and also because it is one of the commonly cultured species in the South-East Asian countries.

Investigations on the stress effects of petroleum hydrocarbons on Metapenaeus dobsoni (Miers)

The present investigation has addressed the eflects of PHC contaminated culture medium on the morphology, physiology and behaviour of shrimps] The shrimp Metapenaeus dobsoni is an important member of the crustacean animal community abounding the oil contaminated benthic regions of Cochin backwater system. Since it is known that true pollutants can disrupt the sustainability of ecosystems by its eflect on species, populations and communities, a representative species was used for the study. The results discussed in this work is bound to help in understanding the ecotoxicant resistance that the animal may display under toxic conditions compared to aynamic steaay-state systems in nature

Action mechanisms of petroleum hydrocarbons present in waters impacted by an oil spill on the genetic material of Allium cepa root cells

Chromosomal aberration (CA) assays have been widely used, not only to assess the genotoxic effects of chemical agents, but also to evaluate their action mechanisms on the genetic material of exposed organisms. This is of particular interest, since such analyses provide a better knowledge related to the action of these agents on DNA. Among test organisms, Allium cepa is an outstanding species due to its sensitivity and suitable chromosomal features, which are essential for studies on chromosomal damage or disturbances in cell cycle. The goal of the present study was to analyze the action mechanisms of chemical agents present in petroleum polluted waters. Therefore, CA assay was carried out in A. cepa meristematic cells exposed to the Guaeca river waters, located in the city of Sao Sebastiao, SP, Brazil, which had its waters impacted by an oil pipeline leak. Analyses of the aberration types showed clastogenic and aneugenic effects for the roots exposed to the polluted waters from Guaeca river, besides the induction of cell death. Probably all the observed effects were induced by the petroleum hydrocarbons derived from the oil leakage. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chromosome aberration and micronucleus frequencies in Allium cepa cells exposed to petroleum polluted water - A case study

In the present study, we applied Chromosome Aberration (CA) and Micronucleus (MN) tests to Allium cepa root cells, in order to evaluate the water quality of Guaeca river. This river, located in the city of Sao Sebastiao, SP, Brazil, had been affected by an oil pipeline leak. Chemical analyses of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also carried out in water samples, collected in July 2005 (dry season) and February 2006 (rainy season) in 4 different river sites. The largest CA and MN incidence in the meristematic cells of A. cepa was observed after exposure to water sample collected during the dry season, at the spring of the river, where the oil leak has arisen. The F, cells from roots exposed to such sample (non-merismatic region) were also analyzed for the incidence of MN, showing a larger frequency of irregularities, indicating a possible development of CA into MN. Lastly, our study reveals a direct correlation between water chemical analyses (contamination by TPHs and PAHs) and both genotoxic and mutagenic effects observed in exposed A. cepa cells. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Screening the toxicity and biodegradability of petroleum hydrocarbons by a rapid colorimetric method

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Hg speciation in petroleum hydrocarbons with emphasis on the reactivity of Hg particles

Peer reviewed

Integração de informação secundária na modelação geoestatística da qualidade de solos em locais potencialmente contaminados. Aplicação à área subjacente de uma antiga refinaria

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Geológica (Georrecursos)

Environmental assessment of Lake Gibson sediments, water quality, and soils of the Niagara Region

In light of the fact that literature on toxicity of heavy metals in non-acidified freshwater systems is sparse, this project was initiated to conduct an environmental assessment of Lake Gibson. Chemistry of soils from adjacent areas and vineyards in the region provide a comparative background database. Water quality determinations were used to identify and highlight areas of environmental concern within the Lake Gibson watershed. A Shelby Corer was used to obtain 66 sediment cores from Lake Gibson. These were sectioned according to lithology and color to yield 298 samples. A suite of 122 soil samples was collected in the region and vicinity of Lake Gibson. All were tested for metals and some for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH). Evaluation of the results leads to the following conclusions: 1. Metal concentrations ofAI, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, Fe and Zn in soils from the Niagara Region are well below background limits set by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MOEE) for provincial soils. 2. There is a spatial and depth difference for some of the metals within the various soils. The Cr, Ni and Pb contents of soils vary throughout the region (p