Degradation and pollution of lands under the influence of oil resources exploitation

Abstract

The research considers the degradation and pollution of soils as a result of oil extraction activities. The object of the research includes the territories of the exploited oil fields located in the Sarmatic mixed forests in Perm region. A total survey of the Gozhanskoye field was carried out, which revealed that the most dangerous processes of transformation and accumulation of pollutants are concentrated in the zone of influence of the primary oil treatment units (rus. UPPN, see the map). The other seven areas of the UPPNs were also surveyed. In total, 303 soil samples were taken as part of the study. The analysis determined such characteristics of oil samples as acidity, the content of humus, hydrocarbons, benzo[a]pyrene and chlorides. Measurements of oil content in the soil were carried out by the IR-spectrometry method. Benzo[a]pyrene was extracted from soil following the standard procedure and analyzed through gas chromatography testing. The physico-chemical analysis allowed to find out the concentrations of the main pollutants, as well as to design maps of land degradation and pollution. Another important finding is that the oil fields exploitation has the most essential impact on primary degradation of floodplain and upland soils as a result of salinization and benzo[a]pyrene pollution.