Water Pollution by Petroleum Oils

Abstract

ППНЕ importance of the petroleum industry in a modern industrial X civilization with a high standard of living may be judged by the tremendous increase in the use of petroleum products since 1920. From 1920 to 1936 inclusive, consumption of motor fuel increased 345 per cent, gas and fuel oil 136 per cent, while the population increase is estimated at about 22 per cent (see Table 1). Most of this demand was for automotive and heating purposes, both industrial and residential. The distribution of petroleum products to a mass market has created a new problem for some public water supplies. This has resulted from the widespread installation of storage tanks for gasoline and heating oils, even in strictly residential communities. Waste incidental to distributing these products has affected the quality of drinking water under certain circumstances. The gasoline service station with underground tanks, easily controlled pumps and company supervision is usually maintained in a clean condition and with little waste, although the potential hazard to water courses from spillage may be large. Oil and gasoline pipe lines crossing streams are usually well patrolled but there is danger of severe contamination from accidental breakage. The retail fuel yard, which often stores several kinds of fuel, has elevated tanks from which small truck tanks are loaded by gravity through a swing pipe. This type of storage station frequently wastes considerable oil to the ground by spillage, leakage from piping fixtures and tank overflow. Factories with oil storage tanks above ground are another source of possible waste. On occasion, usually after heavy rains in the winter, potable water supplies draining populated areas may be seriously affected by waste petroleum products. A disagreeable