Petrochemical Area Research Articles

1H NMR-based metabolomics investigation on the effects of petrochemical contamination in posterior adductor muscles of caged mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Environmental metabolomics is a high-throughout approach that provides a snapshot of the metabolic status of an organism. In order to elucidate the biological effects of petrochemical contamination on aquatic invertebrates, mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis were caged at the “Augusta-Melilli-Priolo” petrochemical area and Brucoli (Sicily, south Italy), chosen as the reference site. After confirming the elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mercury (Hg) in Augusta sediments in our previous work (Maisano et al., 2016a), herein an environmental metabolomics approach based on protonic nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), coupled with chemometrics, was applied on the mussel posterior adductor muscle (PAM), the main muscular system in bivalve molluscs. Amino acids, osmolytes, energy storage compounds, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, and nucleotides, were found in PAM NMR spectra. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated that mussels caged at the polluted site clustered separately from mussels from the control area, suggesting a clear differentiation between their metabolic profiles. Specifically, disorders in energy metabolism, alterations in amino acids metabolism, and disturbance in the osmoregulatory processes were observed in mussel PAM. Overall, findings from this work demonstrated the usefulness of applying an active biomonitoring strategy for environmental risk assessment, and the effectiveness of metabolomics in elucidating changes in metabolic pathways of aquatic organisms caged at sites differentially contaminated, and thus its suitability to be applied in ecotoxicological studies.

Effects of petrochemical contamination on caged marine mussels using a multi-biomarker approach: Histological changes, neurotoxicity and hypoxic stress

This work was designed to evaluate the biological effects of petrochemical contamination on marine mussels. Mytilus galloprovincialis, widely used as sentinel organisms in biomonitoring studies, were caged at the “Augusta-Melilli-Priolo” industrial site (eastern Sicily, Italy), chosen as one of the largest petrochemical areas in Europe, and Brucoli, chosen as reference site. Chemical analyses of sediments at the polluted site revealed high levels of PAHs and mercury, exceeding the national and international guideline limits. In mussels from the polluted site, severe morphological alterations were observed in gills, mainly involved in nutrient uptake and gas exchange. Changes in serotonergic and cholinergic systems, investigated through immunohistochemical, metabolomics and enzymatic approaches, were highlighted in gills, as well as onset of hypoxic adaptive responses with up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor transcript. Overall, the application of a multi-biomarker panel results effective in assessing the biological effects of petrochemical contamination on the health of aquatic organisms.

Evolution of the anthropogenic impact in the Augusta Harbor (Eastern Sicily, Italy) in the last decades: benthic foraminifera as indicators of environmental status.

The study of benthic foraminifera in sediment cores provides the opportunity to recognize environmental changes, including those due to the anthropogenic impact. The integration of these data with chemical-physical parameters provides a comprehensive quality assessment. This research was applied to a sediment core collected in the Augusta bay, where a very large commercial and military harbor and one of the largest petrochemical poles in Europe are present. Inside the petrochemical area also operated, from 1958 to 2003, a chlor-alkali plant with mercury cell technology which caused anthropic contamination of surrounding land and marine areas. The sediment core was collected in front of this plant and characterized for grain size and pollutants directly associated to chlor-alkali activity, such as mercury (Hg), barium (Ba), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Composition of foraminiferal assemblages and faunal parameters such as specific diversity, faunal density, abundance of abnormal specimens, and foraminiferal size were investigated as potential indicators of environmental status. Statistical analysis indicated a main common origin for Hg, Ba, and PCBs and the influence of pollutants on species distribution and faunal diversity and density. Exceptionally high Hg concentrations (63-680mg/kg d.w.) were recorded in the whole core, where the geochronological study attributed the most contaminated levels to the period of maximum activity of the chlor-alkali plant, while a decrease of contamination was recorded after the stop of the activity. Distinct foraminiferal assemblages identified different ecozones along the core, which suggested decreasing anthropogenic impact from the bottom to the top.

Remediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil by Washing with Novel Chemically Modified Humic Substances.

In this work, humic (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) were chemically modified by esterification and etherification with alkanes under microwave (MW) irradiation to improve their surfactant properties for the remediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs)-contaminated soil. Humic acid and FA were evaluated as surfactant for the remediation of soil by means of washing an aged highly TPH-contaminated soil (50,000 mg TPH kg) sampled from a Mexican petrochemical area. The efficiency of chemical modification of HA and FA was increased and accelerated under MW irradiation with respect to that of conventional heating. Results showed that modified HA and FA were able to considerably reduce the contamination of TPH-polluted soils. The best results were obtained with HA modified by esterification with -dodecanol and FA modified with -decanol, which increased the hydrocarbon removal by 24 and 18%, respectively, with respect to amounts removed by the unmodified derivatives.

Monitoring PAHs in the petrochemical area of Tarragona County, Spain: comparing passive air samplers with lichen transplants.

The levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in 8 passive air samples (PAS) and 6 lichen transplants (Ramalina fastigiata) deployed for a period of 2months in different zones of Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain), an area with an important number of chemical and petrochemical industries. The accumulated amount of the sum of the 16 PAHs ranged between 1363 to 7866ng/sample in air samples. The highest concentration was found in the neighborhood of Puigdelfí (village of Perafort), in the vicinity of a big oil refinery and well under the potential influence of the petrochemical emissions. In lichen samples, the sum of the 16 PAHs ranged between 247 and 841ng/g (dry weight), being the greatest value also observed in Puigdelfí. Data on the levels and profiles of PAHs in both passive monitoring methods were compared. A significant positive linear correlation was found between the concentrations of low molecular weight PAHs in lichens and the amounts accumulated in passive air samples (R = 0.827, P < 0.05), being especially significant the correlation of 4-ring PAHs (R = 0.941, P < 0.05). These results strongly suggest that lichens can be used to monitor gas-phase PAHs, providing data that can be quantitatively translated into equivalents for air.

Assessment of the Responsiveness to Different Stresses of the Microbial Community from Long-Term Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils

Soils exposed to long-term contamination with hydrocarbons may present extreme challenges to maintain the biological resilience to the stress. To elucidate the relationships between the initial event of contamination and the responsiveness to the stress, we investigated the extent of the microbial resilience of biological functions from two contaminated soils sampled from a petrochemical area (S1, underwent diffuse hydrocarbon contamination, and S2, from a land farming unit where an alkaline petrochemical sludge was treated) after the Cd, saline, and acid stresses. Both contaminated soils were characterized by low organic matter content compared with a pristine soil. Although similar Shannon diversity index and heterotrophic bacterial count were observed, different bacterial community structures (PCR-DGGE) and less enzymatic activities characterized the contaminated soils. Particularly, functional diversity determined by Biolog EcoPlates™ was not detected in S2 soil. Only the S1 soil showed resilience of the enzymatic activities and functional diversity, suggesting the presence of a well-adapted microbial community able to face with the stresses. The S2 was the most disturbed and less responsive soil. However, an increase in the functional diversity was evidenced after acidification, and it is possible to correlate this responsiveness with the sludge properties treated in the land farming unit. In addition, if the selected stress can reverse the soil condition provoked for the first disturbance, responsiveness could be expected.

Neurotoxicological effects on marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis caged at petrochemical contaminated areas (eastern Sicily, Italy): 1H NMR and immunohistochemical assays

The neurotoxicological potential of environmental pollution, mainly related to petrochemical activities, was investigated in marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Bivalve mollusks, particularly mussels, are widely used as sentinel organisms in biomonitoring studies for assessing the impact of anthropogenic contaminants. The gills, mainly involved in nutrient uptake, digestion, gas exchange and neuronal signaling, are the first organ to be affected by pollutants present in the external environment, and therefore were selected as the target organ for this study. Mussels from an aquaculture farm were caged at a highly polluted petrochemical area and a reference site along the Augusta coastline (eastern Sicily, Italy) for one month. A battery of biomarkers indicative of neuronal perturbations was applied on gills in order to investigate on the serotonergic (i.e. serotonin, 5-HT, and its receptor, 5-HT3R), cholinergic (i.e. acetylcholine, acetylcholinesterase, AChE, and choline acetyltransferase, ChAT), and dopaminergic systems (i.e. tyrosine and tyrosine hydroxylase, TH). Overall, impairment in the normal ciliary motility was found in mussels caged at the polluted site. Alterations in serotoninergic and cholinergic systems were revealed, with enhancement of dopaminergic neurotransmission resulting in a cilio-inhibitory effect. However, the over-expression in 5-HT3R and ChAT at cellular level may indicate an adaptive response of mussels to recover a regular physiological activity in gills. To our knowledge, this is the first study that uses 1H NMR and immunohistochemical assays. Their concurrent use demonstrated to be sensitive and effective for assessing environmental influences on the health status of aquatic organisms, and thus suitable to be applied in ecotoxicological studies.

Micro-Morphological Characteristics and Size Distribution of PM2.5 in the Kuitun-Dushanzi Region of Xinjiang, China

The micro-morphological characteristics of PM_(2.5), collected in the Kuitun-Dushanzi petrochemical area of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, were studied using a high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX). The individual particle types of PM_(2.5) were identified, including mineral particles (regular minerals and irregular minerals), spherical particles (coal-fired fly ash and some secondary particles), soot aggregates, and other particles (some particles remained unclassified). Factories, power plants, vehicle emissions, and road dust were major sources of PM_(2.5) in the Kuitun-Dushanzi petrochemical area. Vehicle exhaust and waste gas from a power plant were defined as primary sources of mineral particles. Wind speed in September which was higher than July during the sampling time leads to the lower concentration of regular mineral particles since high wind speeds would reduce the chance of secondary particle generation. As a high wind speed would also easily diffuse the fine particles, the coarse-grained mineral particles had the highest percentages in September; the chain-like soot aggregates and the compact soot aggregates were the majority of all kinds of particles. The sizes of various particles in July and September primarily ranged from 0.1 to 0.5 μm.

Assessments on Fire and Explosion of Petrochemical Wharf Storage Tank Area Using DOW Method and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Model

Based on the features of fire and explosion accidents in petrochemical wharf storage tank area, the DOW method and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method were applied to evaluate risk of fire and explosion. First of all, DOW method was employed to evaluate the hazard of fire and explosion of petrochemical wharf storage tank area preliminarily and risk indexes of various tanks were obtained. Then, 5 first-level and 24 second-level indexes were identified by the fuzzy mathematics, in which the entropy weight method was introduced to determine weight vector of arrangement analysis, and applied to an actual risk evaluation for a petrochemical wharf storage tank area to determine fuzzy sets. On the basis of the weighted average method, the risk level is medium. Arranges the second-level indexes, and the main factors affecting the accident were concluded,including the violation rate of labor discipline, characteristics of hazardous materials, fire facilities, safety checks, operation of the security emergency response system and so on.

Combustion Optimisation using Methane Number and Wobbe Index as Evaluation Criteria

One hundred and ten (110) streams have been identified in an oil refining process as contributors to the gas fuel net used in furnaces and boilers to supply power and steam to process. According to the origin of the gases and the previous treatment, these gas streams, have a different composition than the natural gas, which creates problems that affect the operational parameters and the integrity of equipment. It is due to this, which seeks to analyse how the fuel gas flows from a refining process, taking into account the energy efficiency, environmental and safety aspects in combustion process. Statistical analysis was developed in combustible gases to study their composition considering the origin of each of the streams represented by chromatographic analysis, which, provided the data for calculating the methane’s number (MN) via method radius ratio (H/C), and the Wobbe index as criteria for analysing the potential effect of gas fuel composition in efficiency, integrity and environmental emissions equipment. The methane’s number is a parameter which describes the behaviour of the explosive self-initiated and not controlled combustion in gas zone of the front flame (referred as knock Combustion). This knock resistance index, has two reference gases, methane and hydrogen; using a reference fuel mixture in which the methane works with a MN 100 and hydrogen with a MN 0. High numbers of MN means high efficiency and hence lower CO2. If MN is too low, knock can cause damage or loss in efficiency and performance. The results show that 45% of the streams of petrochemical area presented MN above 80 and 15% of streams presented low MN. Streams of cracking area showed lower MN. These results demonstrate the heterogeneity of currents, so that the methane number is an important reference when defining the logistic for combustible net in combustion process. Elaborating further on the effects that this variability can generate in the thermal efficiency of each of the currents, so as combustion efficiency and the stability of the operation was evaluated Wobbe Index, and the results showed that when applying these two methods and taking into account the current regulations, a comprehensive analysis can be performed of energy issues, environmental and security in combustion process of fuel variable composition. The principal result was a proposal for a fuel net.

Asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function in children living near a petrochemical site

Residential proximity to environmental hazards has been related to adverse health outcomes. Respiratory health and allergies in children living near petrochemical sites have not been extensively studied. We evaluated the association between residential proximity to the petrochemical site of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) and the prevalence of asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function in children. Children aged 6–7 (n=2672) and adolescents aged 13–14 (n=2524) residing near two large petrochemical sites and those living in a city with medium vehicular traffic were cross-sectionally compared with children from an area with low vehicular traffic and without industry. The prevalence of symptoms was measured using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood written and video questionnaires. Lung function measurements were done in a subsample of 959 adolescents in the four areas. Multivariable analyses were done to estimate the effects of the residential area on symptoms and lung function adjusted for potential confounders. Crude prevalence of symptoms was similar across the studied areas. After adjustment, children and adolescents living near a petrochemical site had a statistically significant higher prevalence of respiratory hospitalizations in the previous year (Prevalence Ratio (PR)=1.49; 95%CI, 1.06–2.09) and of nocturnal cough (PR=1.29; 95%CI 1.05–1.57), respectively. Reduced lung function values among adolescents residing near the petrochemical areas were not observed. Although a higher prevalence of asthma in children and adolescents living near the petrochemical sites could not be demonstrated, as described in other studies, respiratory hospitalizations and nocturnal cough could be related to short-term exposures to pollutants. Other clinical and sub-clinical respiratory health effects in the petrochemical industry areas should be investigated.

Genotoxic and Hematological Effects in Children Exposed to a Chemical Mixture in a Petrochemical Area in Mexico

Children living in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, and in nearby surrounding areas are exposed to a mixture of pollutants from different sources. Previous studies in the area have reported genotoxic and haematotoxic compounds, such as lead (Pb), benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in environmental and biological samples. The final toxic effects of these compounds are unknown because the toxic behaviour of each compound is modified when in a complex mixture. This is the first study on the exposure and effect of chemical mixtures on children who live near a petrochemical area. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxicity and haematological effects in children environmentally exposed to such mixtures and to determine whether the final effect was modified by the composition of the mixture composition. Biomarkers of exposure to Pb, benzene, toluene, and PAHs were quantified in urine and blood samples of 102 children. DNA damage was evaluated using comet assay, and haematological parameters were determined. Our results show that Pb and toluene did not surpass the exposure guidelines; the exposure was similar in all three localities (Allenede, Mundo Nuevo, and López Mateos). In contrast, exposure to PAHs was observed at three levels of exposure: low, medium, and high. The most severe effects of these mixtures were strictly related to coexposure to high levels of PAHs.

MICROBIAL AND ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF POLYMERS: A REVIEW

Polymer recycling has been one of the most important trend in the petrochemical area. Among different technologies, biotechnological (enzymatic and/or microbial) degradation of polymers for the recovery of monomers and oligomers is environmentally-friendly and meet some green chemistry principles. In this work, conditions for the biotechnological degradation of some industrially-relevant polymers (e.g. poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyethylene) were revised, and the main biocatalysts were identified. In most cases, biodegradation mechanisms are still unclear, thus being necessary more studies to unravel these promising bioprocesses. Polymer biodegradation studies also present considerable importance for other fields, including biomedical and agricultural.

Regional Water Quality Management in an Urban and Petrochemical Intensive Area of Canada

Regional Water Quality Management in an Urban and Petrochemical Intensive Area of Canada

Proximity and risk perception. Comparing risk perception ‘profiles’ in two petrochemical areas of Sicily (Augusta and Milazzo)

Studies on risk perception and ‘proximity’ usually compare populations living close to or far away from alleged pollution sources. Taking a different perspective, this paper compares the risk perception profiles of populations residing in the neighborhood of two petrochemical sites in Sicily (Italy), in order to check for similarities and differences. Based on the results of a survey carried out in the period 2008–2009 (1222 interviews), risk perception is investigated; finding that on a list of 15 social risks, the two populations show a similar risk perception only as far as hazards that can be retraced to the territorial industrial environment are concerned, while other risks are differently perceived. Specific risk perception indicators are presented and the relationship between risk perception, socioeconomic characteristics, and health is also deepened. The conclusion of this study is that proximity to industrial pollution sources influences risk perception and assimilates risk perception profiles of populations.

Are centralized MBRs coping with the current transition of large petrochemical areas? A pilot study in Porto-Marghera (Venice)

The operation of a pilot scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) provided feedback for the world’s largest centralized MBR plant treating petrochemical wastewater, located in the industrial area of Porto-Marghera, Venice. The main objective was to study the robustness of MBR technology under variable operating conditions of the petrochemical industry. We aimed to reduce the idle volumes of biological reactors and to enhance biomass activity. Five runs were conducted, initially aiming to represent the operating conditions of the full scale MBR and then alternations were introduced, including the addition of more external carbon source, the reduction of the anoxic compartment volume, changes in configuration and an increase of influent load. Ammonification was not effective in the pre-denitrification configurations, since the average organic nitrogen removal ranged from 29% to 60%. Nitrification was very satisfactory since ammonium concentration was usually lower than 0.5mgNH4–NL−1. Increased acetic acid addition was effective, as it enhanced oxidation activity and denitrification rate. The reduction of the anoxic reactor volume and the abolition of internal recycling resulted in a decrease of denitrification rate. Petrochemical wastewater composition affected the biological processes of ammonification and denitrification. The low denitrification during the nitrification, post-denitrification configuration was attributed to the low organic carbon to total nitrogen ratio of influent wastewater. The doubling of inflow rate did not significantly compromise permeate quality. The MBR demonstrated to safeguard the effluent quality even under sudden and drastic transient conditions. Caustic soda caused inhibition of nitrifiers by 56% and refinery wastewater up to 60%.

국가산업단지의 석유화학 안전관리 방안에 관한 연구

Major industrial accidents such as fires, explosions and toxic releases have occurred in Ulsan, Yeosu petrochemical complex area every year. In this study, we analyzed the causes of the previous major accidents in order to provide reasonable measures for safety regulations and process safety management. Consequently, It is necessary to make constant revisions of safety regulations and to improve process safety management in other to prevent major industrial accidents in the petrochemical complex areas.

Effects of “ in vivo” exposure to toxic sediments on juveniles of sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax)

Aquatic ecosystems are affected by all the impacts generated by a variety of anthropogenic activities present along coastal environments. The sediment compartment is the final receptor of water-insoluble pollutants, acting both as a sink and as a source of pollutants to the water column, and affecting both nektonic and benthic organisms. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of metals in the sediments collected from two sites in the petrochemical area between Augusta and Priolo (SR, Sicily, Italy) on gills of Dicentrarchus labrax. This was done to enhance the scarce knowledge on the bioavailability of metals bound to sediment and their capacity to interact with the bioindicator species. Various sublethal endpoints were assessed such as histopathological lesions, metallothioneins (MTs) and molecules involved in the homeostasis pathways by immunolocalization and RT-PCR. In the specimens exposed to sediments, the data suggested a reduction of gill cell membrane permeability, which could result in altered osmotic balance and gas exchange. Further, an increase of MT expression was detected, consisted the involvement of this protein in detoxification of toxic non-essential metals. The findings of this study demonstrate that a subchronic test, conducted by using sensitive and sub-lethal endpoints, in combination with chemical analyses, is a powerful tool for early identification of environmental hazards associated with contaminated sediments.

Health Risk Map of a Petrochemical Complex through GIS-Fuzzy Integration of Air Pollution Monitoring Data

ABSTRACT From the mid-1990s, a network of surveillance and prevention of atmospheric contamination has been running to control the levels of airborne pollution in urban and industrial (petrochemical) areas of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain). Airborne concentrations of SO2, NO2, O3, H2S, and CO, as well as PM10, are routinely analyzed and used to establish the air quality. However, only single substances, rather than the global incidence of all contaminants as a whole, are taken into account. Moreover, specific data from the population are not considered. In the present study, a modified version of a previously developed fuzzy-based risk evaluation technique was developed. The method was fed with real monitoring data, instead of theoretical results from modeling. Hazard (air levels) and Exposure parameters (location sensitivity and population density) were used to create fuzzy sets and, subsequently, to generate a risk map. This tool was subsequently applied to the case-study of the petrochemical area of Tarragona by means of generating risk maps. The combination of geographic information system (GIS) and fuzzy logic tools proved to be successful as a help for stakeholders involved in the decision-making process.

Sustainable Development: From Economy to Environment and Health. Measuring the Sustainability of Industrialization Patterns Through Ex-Post Sanitary Evaluations: The Petrochemical Areas in Sicily

Sustainable Development: From Economy to Environment and Health. Measuring the Sustainability of Industrialization Patterns Through Ex-Post Sanitary Evaluations: The Petrochemical Areas in Sicily