Levels and Sources of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Surrounding an Oil Refinery in Cura&amp;#231;ao

Dave Hollander,Erin L Pulster,Giffe Johnson,James Mccluskey,Raymond Harbison

doi:10.4236/jep.2019.103025

Abstract

This research measured ambient levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) surrounding a petrochemical complex on the island of Curacao using passive air sampling. In addition, source elucidation of PAHs was conducted using concentration profiles, distribution profiles, binary diagnostic ratios and factor analysis. Passive air samplers with polyurethane foam collection disks (PAS-PUFs) were deployed in 2011 (n = 43) and in 2014 (n = 30) to evaluate the extent of the emission plume as well as spatial and temporal differences in ambient PAH concentrations. In general, ambient PAH concentrations in Curacao were consistent with other urban and industrialized regions of the world; however, the levels measured downwind of Isla Refineria petrochemical complex were among some of the highest reported ambient PAHs globally. Ambient PAH concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 790 ng/m3 in 2011 and 27 to 660 ng/m3 in 2014, demonstrating no temporal differences. However, significant spatial differences were detected between samples collected upwind and downwind of the petrochemical complex. Significantly higher ambient PAH concentrations were found in the samples collected downwind of the petrochemical complex compared to those upwind in 2014 (p < 0. 0001). Source elucidation revealed the ambient PAHs downwind were dominated by petrogenic emission sources and to a lesser degree pyrogenic emissions, whereas, the upwind locations appear to be equally influenced by both petrogenic and pyrogenic emissions sources.

Highlights

Refinery operations have been associated with atmospheric emissions of a wide variety of criteria air pollutants, volatile organic components, hazardous air pollutants, and other pollutants
There was a weak negative correlation (R2 = 0.20, p = 0.096) between ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations and increasing distance between the petrochemical complex, the lowest levels were measured in Blauw/Curasol which was one of the furthest sites west of the refinery (~6 km)
Levels were moderately elevated in Boca Sami considering the distance this site was the highest point sampled with an elevation of approximately 120 feet above sea level whereas the petrochemical complex sits at approximately 22 feet above sea level

Summary

Introduction

Refinery operations have been associated with atmospheric emissions of a wide variety of criteria air pollutants (i.e. sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter), volatile organic components (i.e. benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene), hazardous air pollutants (i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, mercury), and other pollutants (i.e. greenhouse gases, hydrogen sulfide). The presence of hydrocarbons (i.e. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—PAHs) in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR) is considered by UNEP to be a significant threat or potential risk factor to environmental and human health [1] [2]. The refinery was considered obsolete in the mid-1980s, it is still in use today with an operating capacity of ~330,000 barrels per day (http://www.refineriaisla.com) yet it has not been able or required to comply with environmental standards and permit requirements [4]

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