Biomonitoring of total petroleum hydrocarbons contamination in coastal sediments and accumulation in Tympanotonus fuscatus var. radula from Rivers State, Nigeria

Characteristics of total petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in sediments in the Yangtze Estuary and adjacent sea areas

Bioturbation processes could influence the physical, chemical and biological properties of aquatic sediments and improve the mineralization of organic matter in sediment. The influence of bioturbation by polychaete Perinereis aibuhitensis on the removal of sediment-associated total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) was evaluated through laboratory experiment with P. aibuhitensis cultured in crude oil contaminated coastal sediment. After 60 days, the TPH concentrations in the sediments were significantly decreased compared to the initial concentrations, in which the TPH concentrations in bioturbation experiments (with worms) were significantly lower than those in control experiments (without worms) for both low (1.48 ± 0.19g/kg dry wt) and high (2.67 ± 0.33 g/kg dry wt) TPH-contaminated groups, indicating bioturbation enhanced the removal of TPH in sediment. The TPH removal rates in high TPH group were significantly lower than those in low TPH group, suggested that petroleum pollution inhibited the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediment. However, the stimulation efficiency was higher in high TPH group than that in low TPH group, which may be the result of enhanced hydrocarbon’s bioavailability by digestive fluid during gut transit.

Biodegradation of semi- and non-volatile petroleum hydrocarbons in aged, contaminated soils from a sub-Arctic site: Laboratory pilot-scale experiments at site temperatures

Oil extraction is one of the causes of soil contamination with the total petroleum hydrocarbons. The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of Asteraceae plants on the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon in contaminated soil. Initial soils with 40 and 90gkg-1 of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) were prepared. There were three treatments: (1) no addition, (2) addition of FeCl3 and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) solution, and (3) addition of FeCl3 + NTA and the cultivation of nine Asteraceae plants. The concentration of TPH was measured using infrared spectrophotometer, 2 and 3months after transplanting (MAT). Shoot and root dry weights were measured 3 MAT. The concentration of TPH in soil cultivated with Cosmos caudatus was lower than that of the initial soil (40gkg-1 TPH), 2 MAT. The concentrations of TPH in soils cultivated with Calendula officinalis, Callistephus chinensis, C. caudatus, and Tagetes sp. were also lower than that in the initial soil, 3 MAT. The concentrations of TPH in soils cultivated with Achillea filipendulina, Anthemis tinctoria, Tagetes erecta, Chrysanthemum coronarium, C. officinalis, C. chinensis, and C. caudatus were lower than that in the initial soil (90gkg-1 TPH), 2 MAT. The concentrations of TPH in soils cultivated with T. erecta, A. tinctoria, Zinnia elegans, C. chinensis, C. caudatus, and Tagetes sp. were lower than that in the initial soil, 3 MAT. A. filipendulina and C. coronarium died at both 40 and 90kg-1 TPH soils. These results suggest that the roots of Asteraceae plants degrade petroleum hydrocarbon in contaminated soil and C. chinensis and Z. elegans are more suitable for using TPH remediation. Plant survival and extensive root system are important factors for the remediation of TPH in contaminated soil.

The Red Sea is one of the main traffic routes of oil tankers, resulting in environmental damage and marine resource pollution due to the spillage. Quantitative analysis of tar ball was used to detect the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and total aromatic hydrocarbons (TAHs). In this study, six stations across the Red Sea coast of Yemen were selected according to their suitability and accessibility. An ultraviolet fluorescence technique was used to analyze the TPHs and TAHs after being extracted by an ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction procedure. The concentrations of TPHs ranged from 175.67 ± 11.20 mg/g to 708.55 ± 6.57 mg/g, and for TAHs were from 16.06 ± 1.89 mg/g to 48.25 ± 1.76 mg/g. The highest values of TPHs and TAHs were noticed in Ras Isa-II station, which reflected a continued oil spill from the Safir oil loading terminal. The study revealed significant environmental and health risks to marine organisms and humans.

Fossil fuels are used throughout the United States Antarctic Program. Accidental releases of petroleum hydrocarbons are the leading source of environmental contamination. Since 1999 McMurdo Station has been the site of the most extensive environmental monitoring programme in Antarctica. Nearly 2500 surface soil samples were collected from 1999–2007 to determine the spatial “footprint” of petroleum hydrocarbons. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) concentrations were measured using a high-resolution capillary gas chromatographic method with flame ionization detection. Three distinct TPH patterns were detected: low molecular weight gasoline/JP5/AN8, residual weathered petroleum and an unresolved complex mixture of high molecular weight material. Overall TPH concentrations were low with 38% of the samples having TPH concentrations below 30 ppm and 58% below 100 ppm. Total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations above 30 ppm are largely confined to the central portions of the station, along roads and in other areas where elevated TPH would be expected. Peripheral areas typically have TPH concentrations below 15 ppm. Areas of elevated TPH concentrations are patchy and of limited spatial extent, seldom extending over distances of 100 m. This environmental monitoring programme is ongoing and can serve as an example to other Antarctic programmes concerned with monitoring environmental impacts.

The contamination of aquatic environments by Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) presents significant environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to assess the levels of TPHs in water, tilapia, and sediment samples collected from the African Regional Aquaculture Center in Aluu, Nigeria. Chromatographic techniques were employed for TPH extraction and detection. The results revealed elevated TPH concentrations in the study area, with the highest levels observed in sediment samples. The results revealed that the concentration of TPH was high during the dry season (September to November) compared to raining season (May to July). Also, the results indicated that TPH concentration was higher in sediment compared to fish and water with average concentration of 0.206667mg/kg, 0.17666mg/kg7, and 0.148333mg/kg in sediment, fish and water respectively. TPHs was observed to be in sediment from 0.18 – 0.25mg/kg, whereas in water it had variation of 0.11mg/kg making it the lowest. TPHs variation in fish was also observed to be between 0.15 – 0.22mg/kg. It was observed that the concentrations of TPHs in fish positively correlated with THPs in the aquatic water (y = 12.56x + 168.32). This correlation is statically significant (p <0.5). The results also revealed that concentration of TPH in sediments was positively correlated (y = 2.83 x 154.26) with the water at p< 0.5 significant level. There was a positive correlation between TPH concentrations in fish and water, as well as between TPH concentrations in sediment and water. The findings emphasized the need for prompt intervention to mitigate TPH pollution and protect the environment and human health.

Use of poultry droppings for remediation of crude-oil-polluted soils: Effects of application rate on total and poly-aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations

Concentration, dietary exposure and human health risk assessment of total petroleum and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seafood from coastal communities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Crude oil spills as a result of pipeline explosions, artisanal refinery, and tanker disasters, which negatively impact soil, water, and biota in the Niger Delta region.Some polluted sites in the Niger Delta have been cleaned through concerted remediation efforts.However, many sites cleaned had been re-oiled from pipeline leaks from sabotage and artisanal refineries operated across the region.To ascertain the extent of pollution in some remediated sites in Bodo a study was carried out to investigate the concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and heavy metal concentration in water sediment and biota (crabs and mudskipper).The samples were collected in situ, preserved in a cooler, and sent to the laboratory for the analyses of TPH, cadmium, lead, chromium, and lead.The result reveals a significant difference in TPH and heavy metal concentration between surface water and sediment (P<0.001).In contrast, there is no significant difference in chemical concentration between the dry and wet seasons or across months.Regarding biota, the ANOVA result reveals a significant difference between biota (F3, 36 = 8.21, P< 0.001).A higher concentration of Cadmium and Chromium was found in swimming crabs (Callinectes.amnicola), and a high cadmium concentration was found in fiddler crabs (Uca tangeri).At the same time, mudskipper (Periphthalmus.babarus) had the highest manganese concentration.The Tukey HSD test shows that the fiddler crab has the most significant chemical concentration from the permissible limit.The result implies that cleaned-up sites still have high concentration of harmful chemicals which poses a risk to human health.

In this study, we evaluated the impacts of petroleum contamination on the physiochemical properties and microbial community functional diversity of different soil layers (surface soil and the soil layers of 10 cm and 20 cm). The contaminated soil was sampled in oil storage pits of Daqing Oilfield exploited in 1972 in Heilongjiang province, China. The physiochemical properties and microbial diversity were analyzed by using routine analyses and Biolog-Eco technology, respectively. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration of the contaminated soil was correlated with soil depth, with the highest TPH concentration in the 10 cm soil layer, followed by the 20 cm soil layer and the surface soil. Petroleum hydrocarbons significantly influenced the physiochemical properties of the contaminated soil compared to the uncontaminated soil, which increased soil pH, but decreased organic matter (OM), contents of total and available N, P, K. For the contaminated soils, the concentrations of OM, total N and available N were higher in the 10 cm soil layer than in the surface soil and in 20 cm layer. However, there was no significant difference in total and available P, K concentration in different soil layers. The oil storage pit with high TPH concentration had higher AWCD values compared with oil storage pit with low TPH concentration in different soil layers. Increases in functional diversity indices of the soil microbial community in each soil layer were regarded as the result of petroleum contamination.

S.M. Victor E.K. Mark Proceedings of the Seventh International In Situ and On-site Bioremediation Symposium Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH 2003 1-57477-139-6 US$ 295.00, CD-ROM

PT Pertamina Hulu Energi West Madura Offshore (PHE WMO) Offshore Drilling Rig is located near most populated island in the world (Java Island). It is important to control environment impacts from PHE WMO drill cutting and mud discharge to prevent pollution to surrounding area. The scope of this paper is to determine dispersion of Total Suspended Solid (TSS) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration in water column from discharged materials to sea. A modeling software is used to simulate TSS &amp; TPH dispersion around the rig. Data used in this study are sea bathymetry, wind, tides, waves, currents, temperature-salinity and drilling waste (drilling mud and cutting). Simulation software used is a 3-dimensional modeling with an approach based on cell-centered finite volume method including Hydrodynamics and Transport Module to simulate water current circulation and sediment contaminants when entering waters. The simulation duration is 15 days in four different seasonal conditions. Simulation scenario depends on drilling pipe casing size and discharge duration. The simulation result of TSS and TPH concentration in water is then compared to national regulation. Additional sediment depth simulation is also predicted to measure environment impacts. PHE WMO drill plan to discharge (Option 1) 5686 m3 WBM Mud and Cutting or (Option 2) 1668 m3 SBM Cutting with discharge duration of 703 hours. This data is simulated with environment data obtained from Indonesia Geospatial Information Agency, Center for Hydro-Oceanography of the Indonesian Navy (PUSHIDROSAL), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and PHE WMO internal data. Based on the results of the model simulation, it is concluded that TSS dispersion pattern of drill mud and cutting movement mostly follows the dominant current pattern, which is moving eastward (Dec-Feb), dominant to the west (Mar-Sep) and move west to southwest (Oct-Nov). The increase of TSS concentration in sea water could reach 32 mg/L within 50 m radius from rig. Outside radius 100 m, the TSS drop below 10-12 mg/L and reduced to below 1 mg/L at 500 m radius for all seasons. Referring to National TSS standard (20 mg/L), it is concluded PHE WMO drilling activity does not exceeds national TSS standard outside 100 m radius from rig and therefore still comply with national regulation. The TPH concentration from discharge activity only reach 0.018 mg/L) which is still below national TPH standard (0.02 mg/L). Additional sedimentation thickness at discharge point is only 1.6 cm additional thickness of sediment. This study help to determine a guideline for environmental management and monitoring of drilling discharge activities of PHE WMO. This study is a crucial analysis to predict condition of after drill cutting and mud discharge to help company to mitigate impacts of discharge material which has potential to increasing TSS and TPH concentrations and additional sediment thickness in waters. Based on this study, it is concluded that PHE WMO drilling discharge activity has a minor impact to environment and still comply with Indonesian national regulation.

Co-pollution risk of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in typically polluted estuarine wetlands: Insights from the Xiaoqing River

The effects and persistence of non-water-based drilling fluids discharged into the marine environment were investigated at three locations on Western Australia's North West Shelf (NWS), namely the North Rankin 4A' (NRA) drilling platform, the Wanaea–6 production well and the Lynx–la exploration well. For the multiple-well drilling operation at NRA, acute biological effects at the completion of drilling were restricted to within 400 m in the direction of the prevailing current. High total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations within the NRA cuttings pile persisted between 1991 and 1993. Away from the cuttings pile itself, a consistent downward trend in TPH concentrations was evident, indicating an approximate half-life of one year for surface sediments. Three years after the completion of drilling at Wanaea–6, biological effects appeared to be limited to within 100 m of the cuttings discharge point, with background concentrations of TPH and trace metals occurring near 1,200 m in the direction of the prevailing current. Sediment hydrocarbon concentrations greater than 1 mg/kg were found to be restricted to within 200 m of the cuttings discharge point. Dramatic reductions in TPH and barium concentrations occurred in the 12-month period between the completion of drilling and the follow- up survey at Lynx–la. The reductions are attributed to sediment dispersal mechanisms which appear to play a major role in reducing sediment TPH and trace metal concentrations in mid-shelf water depths (70–80 m) on the NWS. The installation and presence of subsea production facilities may result in sediment redistribution and changed dispersal mechanisms, complicating the interpretation of the presence of contaminants within sediments.