Oil Extraction Activities Research Articles

Oil contamination drives the transformation of soil microbial communities: Co-occurrence pattern, metabolic enzymes and culturable hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria

The land-based oil extraction activity has led to serious pollution of the soil. While microbes may play an important role in the remediation of contaminated soils, ecological effects of oil pollution on soil microbial relationships remain poorly understood. Here, typical contaminated soils and undisturbed soils from seven oilfields of China were investigated in terms of their physicochemical characteristics, indigenous microbial assemblages, bacterial co-occurrence patterns, and metabolic enzymes. Network visualization based on k-core decomposition illustrated that oil pollution reduced correlations between co-existing bacteria. The core genera were altered to those related with oil metabolism (Pseudarthrobacter, Alcanivorax, Sphingomonas, Chromohalobacter and Nocardioides). Under oil pollution pressure, the indigenous bacteria Gammaproteobacteria was domesticated as biomarker and the enzyme expression associated with the metabolism of toxic benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was enhanced. Functional pathways of xenobiotics biodegradation were also stimulated under oil contamination. Finally, twelve culturable hydrocarbon-degrading microbes were isolated from these polluted soils and classified into Stenotrophomonas, Delftia, Pseudomonas and Bacillus. These results show that the soil microbial communities are transformed under oil pollution stress, and also provide useful information for future bioremediation processes.

The Chemical Properties of Soils from Forest Fields Occupied by Oil Drills in Moinesti, Romania

Forest fields temporary occupied by different industrial activities are restored to the silvicultural circuit after the industrial activity has ended. These fields should be apt for reforestation and should have admissible values regarding their content of dangerous substances. The present article describes and interprets the characteristics of soils from four fields occupied temporary by oil wells in Moine�ti, Bacau County. The content of clay, soluble salts and nutritive elements were analysed, together with the soil�s reaction, the content of hydrocarbons or other soil characteristics. The admissible values for installing, growing and developing forest species were then emphasized. The obtained results have illustrated the fact that the oil extraction activity had negative effects on soils, namely: a strong consolidation (especially on access roads); the truncation and/or derangement/mixture of horizons or soils stratums with the rock; depletion of nutritive substances; salinization, argilisation and pollution with oil residues. In order to render these fields back to the silvicultural circuit, bio remedy technologies must be applied or other measures that can eliminate the pollutant from the soil (decontamination methods), followed by pedoameliorative measures.

Impacts of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) on microbial mats from a constructed wetland treating oilfield produced water

Constructed wetlands have been successfully used in the treatment of produced water brought to the surface in large quantities during oil extraction activities. However, with the increasing use of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) in enhancing oil recovery, the impacts of HPAM on the biological processes of wetlands is still unknown. Microbial mats in wetlands play a key role in hydrocarbon degradation. Here, we compared the bacterial communities of four wetland microbial mats after flooding with different concentrations of HPAM. Two mats (i.e. the HPAM-free and the 500 ppm HPAM pre-exposed mats) were selected to further investigate the effect of HPAM on respiration and biodegradation activities. The field mats exhibited clear differences in their bacterial community structure, where Cyanobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria became dominant in the presence of HPAM. In the laboratory experiments, the generated CO2 by the HPAM-free and the 500 ppm HPAM pre-exposed mats did not vary significantly when HPAM was added, although CO2 values were slightly higher in the presence of oil. Both mats were still able to degrade between 15 ± 14.4 to 50 ± 13.0% of C10 to C30 alkanes in 28 days, and this degradation was not affected by HPAM addition. The HPAM concentration decreased by 22–34% of the initial amount after 28 days of incubation in the HPAM-free mat, versus only 7–18.4% decrease in the 500 ppm HPAM pre-exposed mat. We conclude that the wetland microbial mats seem to have become well adapted to HPAM and could maintain their respiration and hydrocarbon degradation activities.

Atmospheric oil and natural gas hydrocarbon trends in the Northern Colorado Front Range are notably smaller than inventory emissions reductions

From 2008 to mid-2016, there was more than a 7-fold increase in oil production and nearly a tripling of natural gas production in the Colorado Denver–Julesburg Basin (DJB). This study utilized air samples collected at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory (BAO) tower in southwestern Weld County in the DJB to investigate atmospheric mole fraction trends of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Elevated methane and propane mole fractions and low values (<1) in the ratio of i-pentane to n-pentane at BAO were found to be associated with flow patterns that transport air from the northeast (NE) to east (E) sector to the site, the direction where the primary locations of oil and natural gas (O&NG) extraction and processing activities are located. Median mole fractions of the O&NG tracer propane at BAO were 10 times higher than background values when winds came from the NE quadrant. This contrasts with lower mole fractions of O&NG-related constituents in air parcels arriving at BAO from the south, the direction of the major urban area of Denver. None of O&NG tracers, for example, methane and propane, show statistically significant trends in mole fraction (relative to the background) over the study period in air transported from the DJB. Also, longer term acetylene mole fraction changes were not seen in NE quadrant or south sector samples. A significant decline in the mole fraction ratio of i-pentane to n-pentane in the NE sector data provides evidence of an increasing influence of O&NG on the overall composition of VOCs measured at BAO, a change not seen in measurements from the south (urban) sector. These results suggest that O&NG emissions and resulting atmospheric mole fractions have remained relatively constant over 2008–2016. The behavior in the observations is in contrast to the most recent VOC emissions inventory. While the inventory projects O&NG total VOC emission reductions between 2011 and 2020, of –6.5% per year despite the large production increases, the best estimate of the propane emission rate of change for the DJB-filtered data during 2008–2016 is much smaller, that is, –1.5% per year.

Blood lead levels in indigenous peoples living close to oil extraction areas in the Peruvian Amazon

BackgroundHigh blood lead levels (BLLs) have been previously reported in indigenous people living in communities in the northern Peruvian Amazon. Oil extraction activities have been conducted in the area since the 1970s and have been identified as a source of lead exposure. ObjectiveMeasure BLL and assess risk factors associated with BLL among indigenous populations from four river basins of the northern Peruvian Amazon. MethodsParticipants from 39 communities were selected using a two-stage stratified random selection strategy and were visited between May and June 2016. Information on risk factors was collected using structured questionnaires and blood samples were taken. Overall, complete information was available from 1047 individuals (309 < 12 years old, 738 ≥ 12 years). BLL was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in a graphite chamber. Weighted linear logistic regression models were used to study the association between socio-demographic variables, self-reported life-style factors, environmental, geographical and occupational exposures and BLLs. ResultsGeometric mean (95% CI) BLL was 4.9 (4.5, 5.4) µg/dL in participants <12 years and 5.7 (5.4, 6.0) µg/dL in older participants. There were marked differences in BLL between river basins with the highest levels observed in the Corrientes river basin [8.1 (7.2, 9.1) µg/dL <12 years and 8.8 (8.0, 9.6) µg/dL older participants]. High BLL was associated with older age, being male, living in the Pastaza, Tigre or Corrientes river basins and consumption of fish offal in children and adults. Increased Euclidean distance between residence and oil production facilities was associated with a small reduction in BLL. ConclusionBLLs that pose a health risk were detected in the study population of a non-industrialized and remote area of the Amazon. The highest BLLs were observed in those river basins where relative oil extraction activity and environmental levels of contaminants have been reported to be greatest.

Rhizobacteria Communities of Phytoremediation Plant Species in Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil of the Sudd Ecosystem, South Sudan.

The Sudd wetland is one of the oil-rich regions of South Sudan where environmental pollution resulting from oil extraction activities has been unprecedented. Although phytoremediation is the most feasible technique, its efficacy reduces at high TPH concentration in soil. This has made rhizoremediation the most preferred approach. Rhizoremediation involves use of a combination of phytoremediation and biostimulation. The process is catalyzed by the action of rhizobacteria. Therefore, the objective of this study is to characterize rhizobacteria communities prevalent in phytoremediation species growing in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils biostimulated with cattle manure. The treatments studied were plant species only (T1), plant species and hydrocarbons (T2), plant species and manure (T3), and plant species, manure, and hydrocarbons (T4). The rhizobacteria communities were determined using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA. In the treatment with phytoremediation species, hydrocarbons 75 g · kg−1soil, and cattle manure 5 g · kg−1soil (T4), there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in rhizobacteria abundance with the highest ASV observed in H. rufa (4980) and the lowest in S. arundinaceum (3955). In the same treatment, bacteria community diversity was high in H. rufa (Chao1, 10310) and the least in S. arundinaceum (Chao 1, 8260) with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria as the dominant phyla. Similarly, in contaminated soil treated with cattle manure, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in abundance of rhizobacteria genera with Pseudomonas dominating across phytoremediation species. H. rufa was dominated by Bacillus, Fusibacter, and Rhodococcus; G. barbadense was mainly associated with Luteimonas and Mycobacterium, and T. diversifolia was inhabited by Bacillus and Luteimonas. The rhizosphere of O. longistaminata was dominated by Bacillus, Fusibacter, and Luteimonas, while S. arundinaceum was largely inhabited by Sphingomonas. These rhizobacteria genera ought to be applied in the Sudd region for bioremediation.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Dynamics in Restored Fens After In-Situ Oil Sands Well Pad Disturbances of Canadian Boreal Peatlands

In-situ oil extraction activities impact the vast mosaic of boreal wetlands and uplands. Peatland restoration in these regions aims at reestablishing crucial peatland functions, such as peat accumulation and carbon (C) sequestration. In order to assess the success of fen restoration, we evaluated the biogeochemical conditions, the seasonal carbon balances via carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes and methane (CH4) emissions, and addressed the global warming potential following different restoration techniques at two restored in-situ oil sands well pads, during two consecutive growing seasons. Restoration work involved: 1) the partial or complete removal of introduced well pad construction materials, and spontaneous revegetation, or 2) the partial removal of foreign clay, in addition to reintroduction of typical fen plant species such as Larix laricina, Salix lutea and Carex aquatilis. Comparisons were done with regional reference ecosystems (REF) consisting of three peatlands: a wooded bog, a wooded rich fen and a wooded extreme-rich fen. While the average electric conductivity of restored sectors (946 μS cm−1) was higher compared to REF (360 μS cm−1), the pH was quite similar (pH 5.8 REF, pH 6 restored). Dissolved organic carbon concentration was lower in all restored sectors (5–11 mg L-1 restored sectors, 15–35 mg L-1 REF), presumably due to the still incomplete recovery of vegetation and lower organic matter content associated with remnant well pad material. Re-establishment of shrub and brown moss species improved significantly the C uptake. However, the active introduction of plant species was no crucial restoration step, in order to return species beneficial for C uptake. Restoration treatments that were leveled closest to the surrounding REF showed the most similar seasonal C balance to REF. In shallow open water areas resulting from the complete removal of all construction materials, we measured the highest methane emissions making these flooded sites net C sources to the atmosphere with elevated global warming potential. The partial removal of the well pad’s mineral soil to near the water table level and the surface elevation of the surrounding ecosystem seems to be the most effective site management method to sequester carbon efficiently. However, further research is needed to evaluate the suitability of this restoration method for the recovery of biodiversity and possible impacts of residual foreign materials on fen ecosystems.

Poroelastoplastic reservoir modeling by tangent stiffness matrix method

As oil and gas extraction activities move into deeper rock formations, many experimental studies and field investigations indicate rock exhibits a plastic behavior rather than a pure linear elastic behavior, so poroelastoplasticity must be taken into account in the reservoir simulation. Because reservoir rock is a porous material consisting of a compressible solid matrix and number of compressible fluids occupying the pore space, fully coupled modeling is required for reservoir simulation considering solid-fluid interaction, complex stress conditions and nonlinear behaviors. But the computational process could be cumbersome when constant tangent stiffness method is used to address the poroelastoplastic behavior. In this paper, a fully coupled poroelastoplasticity reservoir model based on Drucker-Prager yield criterion is implemented the tangent stiffness method, and the computational efficiency is compared with the constant stiffness method. The accuracy of these two methods is demonstrated in one-dimensional consolidation. In a case study, these two methods are used to analyze the stresses and pore pressure of a reservoir and computing results and running efficiency are compared. Also, the linear elastic and nonlinear solutions are compared in one-dimensional consolidation and reservoir modeling. It shows that the difference between results by constant stiffness method and tangent stiffness method is very small, while the tangent stiffness method shows significantly fewer iteration numbers and shorter running time than the constant stiffness method.

Obstacles and opportunities for moratoria on oil and gas exploration or extraction in Latin America and the Caribbean

ABSTRACT This article draws lessons from the existing, successful cases of moratoria or bans on oil and gas exploration or extraction activities in Latin America and the Caribbean, in contrast to the failed attempts for a conditional moratorium in Ecuador, the widely discussed Yasuní-ITT project. It also refers to obstacles and possible opportunities for larger-scale implementation of such instruments to limit fossil fuel supply in the region, indicating the main factors, both at the domestic and international level, that influenced their viability. So far, moratoria have been driven mainly by environmental, economic, and conservation concerns, rather than by climate change considerations. Countries that may be quite proactive in the multilateral climate change negotiations have been unable or unwilling to plan for large-scale domestic restrictions in fossil fuel supply. Moratoria on oil and gas exploration or extraction activities are forceful instruments to bring about these restrictions, but are often perceived ex ante as costly, even unaffordable on economic or political grounds. This article calls for a broad use of conservation motivations to overcome some shortcomings of the current multilateral climate regime, such as the absence in the Paris Agreement of specific provisions on fossil fuel supply. Key policy insights There is increasing interest in ‘supply side’ policy, such as moratoria on fossil fuel exploration and extraction, as a tool for mitigating climate change. Some of the first examples of supply side policy emerged from the Latin American and Caribbean region. Review of these policies shows that protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services – rather than a climate rationale – provided the imperative for moratoria or bans in Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico. An emphasis on potential benefits to be reaped from bans and moratoria may increase the viability of their adoption.

Eficiência na aplicação de recursos de royalties de petróleo: identificação dos municípios brasileiros de referência

Em um contexto que apresenta a oportunidade de discussão acadêmica sobre a qualidade do recebimento das receitas de royalties de petróleo e sobre a eficiência na aplicação desses recursos, esta investigação teve como objetivo identificar os municípios brasileiros receptores de royalties de petróleo que podem ser considerados referência na aplicação dos recursos orçamentários. A relevância do estudo reside nas discussões acadêmicas e políticas sobre o tema geradas a partir da descoberta de grandes reservas de petróleo no território brasileiro e as consequentes alterações na legislação sobre o modelo de partilha desses recursos. Utilizou-se o instrumento Data Envelopment Analysis, modelo CCR, para verificação da eficiência na alocação dos recursos públicos de 115 municípios localizados em toda a extensão territorial brasileira, considerando como variáveis-insumo as receitas tributárias e as receitas de transferências correntes, e como variável-produto o Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal, o que foi precedido por uma análise de clusters. Os resultados indicaram que mais de 70% dos municípios estudados possuem escore de eficiência abaixo de 0,4, sugerindo acentuada diferença entre os resultados alcançados pelos municípios benchmark e os demais municípios não localizados na fronteira de eficiência, o que coaduna com estudos anteriores que apontam indícios de que os recursos destinados para a minimização dos efeitos das externalidades negativas provenientes das atividades de extração de petróleo possam não estar gerando os resultados desejados quanto à melhoria no desenvolvimento humano de seus receptores.

Proximity to oil wells in North Dakota does not impact nest success of ducks but lowers nest densities

Abstract Over the past decade, the United States has seen a rapid increase in oil and gas extraction from areas where resources were previously thought to be unrecoverable, particularly the Bakken shale formation in North Dakota. The Bakken overlaps with the Prairie Pothole Region, the most critical habitat in North America for breeding ducks, where oil and gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing has the potential to impact more than a million duck pairs in the United States alone. Here, we evaluated the effect of oil and gas development on nesting ducks in 2015–2017 across 5 counties in North Dakota. Using data from ~4,000 nests we found that nest survival was higher at sites composed of a higher percentage of grassland, and for nests found closer to major roads. We found no effect of any metric of oil and gas extraction activity on duck nest survival. Using survival-corrected estimates of nest density, we found higher densities of nests closer to roads, but lower nest densities at sites surrounded by more wells. Our top-ranked model indicated that nest density was predicted to decline by 14% relative to sites with no development, given the average number of wells (3.15 wells) within 1,500 m of a site. However, within a nesting field, we found no evidence that ducks were avoiding petroleum-related infrastructure at smaller spatial scales. Our results indicate mixed effects of oil and gas development on nesting waterfowl, and highlight both the resiliency of dabbing ducks to environmental change and the need for additional research on other aspects of duck breeding biology.

Factores de riesgo mecánico en la extracción de aceite de palma: caso de la empresa La Joya

El presente trabajo de investigación determina el nivel de riesgos mecánicos en la ejecución de actividades de extracción de aceite de palma por parte de los trabajadores en la empresa La Joya. Se cuantificó cuali cuantitativamente el nivel de exposición, la probabilidad de ocurrencia del evento y las consecuencias de los mismos utilizando el método de William Fine. Para profundizar el estudio se realizó un análisis estadístico de los accidentes reportados en el año 2017 utilizando la Nota Técnica de Prevención (NTP) 236.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; La investigación empieza con la aplicación de la matriz de identificación de riesgos laborales observando mayor afectación por golpes con objetos móviles o inmóviles, caídas al mismo o a diferente nivel, atrapamiento entre objetos, contacto térmico, caída de objetos desprendidos, cortes y laceraciones en los operadores de extracción del aceite de palma en el área de producción. Finalmente se aplicó un análisis estadístico con la aplicación de las tablas de P. J. Shipp determinando los meses de mayor incidencia de los accidentes con la comparación gráfica por mes de la curva de los índices de frecuencia acumulada y los límites superior e inferior que determina los registros del 2017. Los resultados determinan un grado de peligrosidad (GP) de 120 en el puesto de: Caldera de producción de aceite rojo y en el digestor o tolva, con un GP de 48 el puesto de esterilización y mantenimiento (Barreno Villacís, 2019).&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Diesel Soot and Amine-Containing Organic Sulfate Aerosols in an Arctic Oil Field.

The rapid decrease in Arctic sea ice is motivating development and increasing oil and gas extraction activities. However, few observations of these local Arctic emissions exist, limiting the understanding of impacts on atmospheric composition and climate. To address this knowledge gap, the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols was measured within the North Slope of Alaska oil fields during August and September 2016 using an aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS) and a time-of-flight aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ToF-ACSM). Plumes from oil and gas extraction activities were characterized by soot internally mixed with sulfate (matching diesel soot) and organic carbon particles containing aminium sulfate salts. Sea spray aerosol at the coastal site was frequently internally mixed with sulfate and nitrate, from multiphase chemical processing from elevated NOx and SO2 within the oil field. Background (nonplume) air masses were characterized by aged combustion aerosol. No periods of "clean" (nonpolluted) Arctic air were observed. The composition of the nonrefractory aerosol measured with the ACSM was similar during plume and background periods and was consistent with the mass concentrations of nonrefractory particles measured by ATOFMS. Two ultrafine aerosol growth events were observed during oil field background periods and were correlated with fine mode amine-containing particles.

Is The Oil Price a Determinant of Employment in Oil Intensive Romanian Communities?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the resilience of oil intensive Romanian communities to oil price fluctuations. Design/methodology/approach: The methodology employed is based on identifying the communities with the most extensive oil extraction activities using GIS (Geographic Information System) software. We then apply a random effects panel regression model to check the significance of the oil price as a predictor of employment. Finding: Results indicate that the effect of oil price fluctuations is limited, with employment in the identified communities following the national trend. Research limitations/implications: Unfortunately, our study is hindered by data availability issues and a short time series. Nevertheless, conclusions are backed by the country’s characteristics - a diversified economy, integration with refining operations, and the presence of related manufacturing and services activities. Originality/value: The study adds to the existing literature by focusing on a mature region with a long history of hydrocarbon extraction activities. We argue that the study of local communities in mature regions is of great importance in the context of the ongoing energy transition, particularly of those located within the European Union.

Chronic PAH exposures and associated declines in fish health indices observed for ten grouper species in the Gulf of Mexico

Ten grouper species grouper (n = 584) were collected throughout the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) from 2011 through 2017 to provide information on hepatobiliary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill. Liver and bile samples were analyzed for PAHs and their metabolites using triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-F), respectively. Data were compared among species and sub-regions of the GoM to understand spatiotemporal exposure dynamics in these economically and ecologically important species. Significant differences in the composition and concentrations of PAHs were detected spatially, over time and by species. The West Florida Shelf, Cuba coast and the Yucatan Shelf had a greater proportion of the pyrogenic PAHs in their livers than the other regions likely due to non-oil industry related sources (e.g., marine vessel traffic) in the regional composition profiles. Mean liver PAH concentrations were highest in the north central region of the GoM where DWH occurred. Biliary PAH concentrations and health indicator biometrics initially decrease during the first three years following the DWH oil spill but significantly increased thereafter. Increased exposures are likely explained by the resuspension of residual DWH oil as well as continued inputs from natural (e.g., seeps) sources and other anthropogenically derived sources (e.g., riverine runoff, other oil spills, and leaking oil and gas infrastructure). The increasing trend in PAH concentrations in the bile and liver of grouper species in the north central region of the GoM post-DWH suggest continued chronic exposures, however the critical stage at which permanent, irreparable damage may occur is unknown. Long-term monitoring of PAH levels and associated fish health biomarkers is necessary to evaluate impacts of chronic exposures, particularly in regions subject to intensive oil extraction activities.

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

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.

The Norway–Colombia Agreement to Protect Rainforest and Reduce Global Warming: Success or Failure?

The Norwegian government has made an agreement with Juan Manuel Santos, former Colombian president, to give Colombia US$48 million yearly to reduce deforestation. This forms part of a greater effort by Norway to aid countries in the South to halt climate change, through the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative, instituted after the Paris Agreement in 2015. The ways efforts to reduce deforestation have been implemented have been criticised. While Norway, through this investment, appears to be a climate-concerned country, it continues with oil extraction activities. Thus, Norway exhibits double standards and shifts the problem of climate change to the countries in the South. This article examines the successes and failures of the Norwegian rainforest protection efforts in the case of Colombia, assessing the governance of the deforestation policies from the perspective of green Southern criminology and incorporating a critique of the neo-colonialist means of environmental protection established by the North.

The contribution of the scientific research for a less vulnerable and more resilient community: the Val d’Agri (Southern Italy) case

The increasingly intensive use of natural resources with consequent environmental impacts has generated numerous social conflicts over the years, for whose solution it is necessary to build up an innovative territorial governance model based on sustainable and resilience thinking. At the international level, the problems associated with oil and gas extraction activities have been tackled by recognizing scientific research as a strategic role aimed at guaranteeing a more in-depth knowledge of environmental issues, the creation of collaboration networks between the various stakeholders and the whole usability of environmental data. This article presents the commitment made by the National Research Council of Italy – Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis – CNR-IMAA to make the Val d’Agri community, an area affected by mining activities, less vulnerable and more resilient. Through the combined use of different scientific research methodologies, a multidisciplinary approach was developed which contributed to increasing the overall knowledge of the environmental problems of Val d’Agri as well as providing concrete indications for the development of more effective territorial management tools. Other activities, complementary to those of research, were aimed at ensuring correct and detailed environmental data information and communication and a broaden participation and involvement of citizens.

New insights in sources of the sub-micrometre aerosol at Mt. Zeppelin observatory (Spitsbergen) in the year 2015

In order to evaluate the potential impact of the Arctic anthropogenic emission sources it is essential to understand better the natural aerosol sources of the inner Arctic and the atmospheric processing of the aerosols during their transport in the Arctic atmosphere. A 1-year time series of chemically specific measurements of the sub-micrometre aerosol during 2015 has been taken at the Mt. Zeppelin observatory in the European Arctic. A source apportionment study combined measured molecular tracers as source markers, positive matrix factorization, analysis of the potential source distribution and auxiliary information from satellite data and ground-based observations. The annual average sub-micrometre mass was apportioned to regional background secondary sulphate (56%), sea spray (17%), biomass burning (15%), secondary nitrate (5.8%), secondary marine biogenic (4.5%), mixed combustion (1.6%), and two types of marine gel sources (together 0.7%). Secondary nitrate aerosol mainly contributed towards the end of summer and during autumn. During spring and summer, the secondary marine biogenic factor reached a contribution of up to 50% in some samples. The most likely origin of the mixed combustion source is due to oil and gas extraction activities in Eastern Siberia. The two marine polymer gel sources predominantly occurred in autumn and winter. The small contribution of the marine gel sources at Mt. Zeppelin observatory in summer as opposed to regions closer to the North Pole is attributed to differences in ocean biology, vertical distribution of phytoplankton, and the earlier start of the summer season.

Quantification and Characterization of Particulate Matter Generated from Unpaved Roads in the Oil Development Area of Western North Dakota

Abstract. Heavy vehicle traffic on unpaved roads in western North Dakota, due to increasing oil extraction activities, is generating coarse particulate matter (PM10) and fine PM (PM2.5), and total suspended particles (TSP), potentially raising concerns for animal and human health and impacts on crop and plant growth. However, limited quantification and characterization are available for PM from unpaved roads next to oil activities. Therefore, a study was conducted to characterize and quantify the PM concentrations from heavy traffic on unpaved roads due to increasing oil activities in western North Dakota. Three unpaved road sites were selected and paired with application of two dust suppressants (brine and magnesium chloride). MiniVol air samplers were used to quantify PM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the minerals in PM samples, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyze the chemical composition of soil samples. The average PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were higher at site 2 (untreated loose gravel road) than at site 1 (periodically treated with dust suppressants) during the study period (2015-2016). In addition, the PM concentrations were lower in 2016 because of decreased oil activities at site 2. Statistical analyses revealed that the PM concentrations were mostly correlated with vehicle count in addition to temperature, wind direction, and rainfall. Magnesium chloride was the most effective treatment for reducing PM. The SEM analyses of PM samples revealed that most particulates were quartz, other silicates, or biogenic particles. Soil sample analyses revealed that the concentrations of most elements were lower than the threshold values set by the USGS National Geochemical Survey. Keywords: Air pollution, Air quality, Dust, North Dakota, Oil development, Particulate matter.