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PubMed2005

Isotopic constraints on the fate of petroleum residues sequestered in salt marsh sediments.

To provide a new perspective on the fate of petroleum in the marine environment, we utilized variations in the natural abundance of radiocarbon (14C) to detect and quantify petroleum residues that have persisted in Wild Harbor sediments, West Falmouth, MA, for more than 30 years. The 5730-yr half-life of 14C makes this isotope ideal for the detection of fossil-fuel-derived contaminants (14C free) within different fractions of natural organic matter (modern 14C content) in environmental matrixes. Samples of both contaminated and uncontaminated sediments were sequentially treated, first by solvent extraction, followed by saponification, and then acid hydrolysis. Radiocarbon analysis of the sediment residues and select extracts was performed to probe for the presence of fossil fuel contaminants and/or their metabolites in different pools of sedimentary organic matter. Our results indicate that the majority of fossil carbon is solvent-extractable and has not been incorporated in the insoluble organic matter in sediment. Unextracted sediments contaminated with petroleum contain significantly less 14C than extracted sediments, and isotope mass balance calculations suggest that up to approximately 9% of the total organic carbon (TOC) in the petroleum contaminated sediment horizons is derived from solvent-extractable petroleum. These estimates are similar to values calculated when the total quantities of oil (measured by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID)) are compared to TOC content (determined by elemental analysis). These results pave the way for applications of this isotopic approach to more complex environmental systems where the fate of contaminants is less certain.

Accidents↗

PubMed2000

A novel sensor for monitoring leakage of petroleum and other liquid hydrocarbons into soil environments.

This paper describes the use of a potentially implantable infrared reflectometer for the qualitative detection of petroleum and a number of other hydrocarbon solvents. A rugged, low-power, re-useable sensor was evaluated in the laboratory for its ability to detect petrol in soil. A hydrophobic fluoropolymer was used as the sensing surface due to its high selectivity for petroleum hydrocarbons. The photocurrent reflected by this surface from a near IR source was measured to test for petroleum saturation within the membrane, which in turn was an indicator of petroleum in the surrounding soil. The simplicity in the sensor design enabled a stable, low cost detection method for petroleum and other hydrocarbons, ideal for use in sub-surface applications.

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alternative designs for petroleum product storage tanks for groundwater protection.

In developing countries, there are numerous occurrences of petroleum product spillage in groundwater. The current practice of burying storage tanks beneath the surface without adequate safety devices facilitates this phenomenon. Underground tanks rust and leak, and spilled petroleum products migrate downward. The movement of the oil in the soil depends on its viscosity and quantity, the permeability of the soil/rock, and the presence of fractures within the rock. The oil spreads laterally in the form of a thin pancake due to its lower specific gravity, and soluble components dissolve in water. The pollution plume of petroleum products and dissolved phases moves in the direction of groundwater flow in the aquifer within the pores of soil and sediments or along fractures in basement complex areas. Most communities reply heavily on groundwater for potable and industrial supplies. However, the sustainability of this resource is under threat in areas where there are filling stations as a result of significant groundwater contamination from petroleum product spillage. Drinking water becomes unpalatable when it contains petroleum products in low concentrations, and small quantities may contaminate large volumes of water. Considering the losses incurred from spillage, the cost of cleaning the aquifer, and the fact that total cleansing and attenuation is impossible, the need to prevent spillage and if it happens to prevent it from getting into the groundwater system is of paramount importance. This paper proposes alternative design procedures with a view to achieving these objectives.

Humans↗

PubMed2002

Mortality of United Kingdom oil refinery and petroleum distribution workers, 1951-1998.

The mortality experienced by cohorts of 28 630 oil refinery workers and 16 480 petroleum distribution workers has been investigated. Study subjects were all those male employees first employed in the period 1946-1974 at one of eight UK oil refineries or at one of 476 UK petroleum distribution centres; all subjects had a minimum of 12 months employment with some employment after 1 January 1951. The observed numbers of cause-specific deaths were compared with expectations based on national mortality rates. The resultant standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were significantly below 100 for all causes, in both oil refinery workers (observed, 9341; expected, 10 649.7; SMR = 88) and petroleum distribution workers (observed, 6083; expected, 6460.3; SMR = 94). Significantly elevated SMRs were shown in oil refinery workers for cancer of the gall bladder (observed, 24; expected, 14.0; SMR = 172), cancer of the pleura (observed, 38; expected, 15.0; SMR = 254) and melanoma (observed, 36; expected, 22.2; SMR = 162). Significantly elevated SMRs were not found in petroleum distribution workers for any site of cancer. SMRs for selected causes of death were calculated by period from commencing employment, by year of hire and by job type. The only findings that suggested the presence of an occupational cancer hazard were an excess of mesothelioma in oil refinery workers and an excess of leukaemia in petroleum distribution workers, both excesses occurring in long-term follow-up for workers first employed >30 years ago.

Cause of Death↗

PubMed2006

Urinary bladder cancer and the petroleum industry: a quantitative review.

PURPOSE: To estimate the pooled risk of petroleum industry for urinary bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All observational studies that evaluated the association between urinary bladder risk and the petroleum industry were reviewed. We have only identified eight case-control studies. These studies were carried out between 1989 and 1995. RESULTS: Of the eight localized studies six were exclusively for males. The other two studies included both males and females, but none reported separately the risk among men and women. There was an obvious risk of petroleum industry in the pooled risk (odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-1.54). Also, Q test was not significant (P>0.1), denoting homogeneity across the pooled studies. Pooled analysis applying the random effect model was 1.50 (95% CI 1.29-1.75). CONCLUSION: Although our pooled estimate shows that the petroleum industry is associated with the risk of urinary bladder cancer, the eight studies were based on retrospective data from case-control studies. Further prospective studies evaluating the association between petroleum industry and urinary bladder cancer risk are strongly needed.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of a cleanser for petroleum-contaminated skin.

BACKGROUND: Extremity injuries contaminated with petroleum products pose clinical dilemmas. This project was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a dioctyl sulfosuccinate (DS) solution for cleansing petroleum-contaminated skin. METHODS: One hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a contamination protocol followed by a cleansing procedure. Four petroleum contaminants and five cleansing solutions were selected. The protocol consisted of shaving, initial punch biopsy, contamination, precleansing punch biopsy, standardized scrub protocol, and postcleansing punch biopsy. Biopsy samples were analyzed for petroleum residue using fluorometry. RESULTS: The 10% DS solution had the highest reduction of crude oil, grease, and tar: 99.6 +/- 0.4% (mean +/- SD) contaminant reduction for crude oil, 99.8 +/- 0.2% for grease, and 99.8 +/- 0.2% for tar. The other cleansers showed less efficacy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Concentrated DS appears to be significantly more effective at cleaning petroleum products from skin than the commonly chosen surgical and commercial cleansers.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2003

Mortality and cancer morbidity in a cohort of Canadian petroleum workers.

AIMS: To assess mortality and cancer morbidity in Canadian petroleum workers and explore exposure-response relations for specific petroleum agents. METHODS: A total of 25 292 employees hired between 1964 and 1994 were linked to the Canadian tumour registry and national mortality database. Exposure-response trends were assessed for hydrocarbon solvents/fuels, hydrocarbon lubricants, petroleum coke/spent catalyst, and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). RESULTS: External comparison analyses (mortality and incidence) showed deficits for all causes and all malignant neoplasms combined and were consistent with expectation for most malignant and non-malignant sites analysed. Gall bladder cancer mortality was increased among males based on four deaths, but cases had no common job assignments and the increase was focused in workers employed <10 years. Mesothelioma incidence was increased. Most exposure-specific analyses were compromised by small numbers. Statistically significant increases were observed for H2S exposure and a subgroup of accidental deaths as well as for petroleum coke/spent catalyst exposure and lung cancer. While both findings have a degree of biologic plausibility, the H2S association, which exhibited a clearer exposure-response pattern, could be subject to unmeasured confounders. Additionally, interpretation was complicated by the high correlation between hydrocarbon and H2S exposures. With regard to lung cancer, the analysis could not adequately control for smoking, was based on small numbers, and exhibited a tenuous exposure-response pattern. CONCLUSION: The findings for mesothelioma suggest the need for continued attention to asbestos in the petroleum industry. The relation between accidental deaths and H2S exposure deserves closer scrutiny in similarly exposed populations. Further analyses of lung cancer are underway and will be reported separately.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Calcium hypochlorite removal of mercury and petroleum hydrocarbons from co-contaminated soils.

Former oil and gas processing sites are often contaminated with both mercury and petroleum hydrocarbons. Traditional methods for treating these co-contaminated soils include thermal treatments and placement in landfills (Stepan et al. 1993). This study examines a chemical oxidation treatment, calcium hypochlorite, and its effectiveness in reducing both the petroleum and mercury content of several industrial soils. A sequential extraction method was used to determine the forms of mercury removed through the hypochlorite treatment. The forms included five organic forms of mercury, mercury associated with the mineral phase, ion exchangeable mercury, water phase mercury, and mercury associated with the petroleum hydrocarbons. The hypochlorite treatment did lower the mercury content of all five soils, but failed to remove the petroleum hydrocarbons from the soils. Prior to the hypochlorite treatment the dominant form of mercury was that associated with soil organic matter while after treatment most of the mercury remaining in the soil was associated with either the petroleum hydrocarbons or the mineral phase.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1981

Relative potency estimation for synthetic petroleum skin carcinogens.

A procedure for quantitative analysis of skin carcinogenesis data, for the purpose of establishing carcinogenic potency, has been applied to observations obtained from C3H mice exposed continuously to synthetic and natural petroleums. The importance of total polynuclear aromatic (PNA) content to the skin carcinogenic activity of the crude materials was also examined. Of three synthetic petroleums evaluated, all were shown capable of inducing skin neoplasms within a two-year exposure period. Under comparable exposure conditions a composite sample of five natural petroleums was noncarcinogenic. Comparison of the distributions of times to initial skin neoplasm versus dose rate, for groups exposed to synthetic fossil liquids and the reference skin carcinogen, benzo(a)pyrene, provided estimates of relative carcinotenic potency for the synthetic petroleums ranging from 1/500 to 1/1400 the potency of benzo(a)pyrene. The carcinogenic activity of a chemically isolated PNA fraction versus the crude from which it was derived suggested that this fraction was responsible for the carcinogenic activity of these synthetic petroleums in mouse skin.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic study of crude petroleum oils: influence of chemical composition.

The fluorescence of crude petroleum oils is sensitive to changes in chemical composition and many different fluorescence methods have been used to characterize crude oils. The use of fluorescence lifetimes to quantitatively characterize oil composition has practical advantages over steady-state measurements, but there have been comparatively few studies in which the lifetime behavior is correlated with gross chemical compositional data. In this study, the fluorescence lifetimes for a series of 23 crude petroleum oils with American Petroleum Institute (API) gravities of between 10 and 50 were measured at several emission wavelengths (450-785 nm) using a 380 nm light emitting diode (LED) excitation source. It was found that the intensity average fluorescence lifetime (tau) at any emission wave-length does not correlate well with either API gravity or aromatic concentration. However, it was found that tau is strongly negatively correlated with both the polar and sulfur concentrations and positively correlated with the corrected alkane concentration. This indicates that the fluorescence behavior of crude petroleum oils is governed primarily by the concentration of quenching species. All the strong lifetime-concentration correlations are nonlinear and show a high degree of scatter, especially for medium to light oils with API gravities of between 25 and 40. The degree of scatter is greatest for oils where the concentrations (wt %) of the polar fraction is approximately 10 +/- 4%, the asphaltene component is approximately 1 +/- 0.5%, and sulfur is 0.5 +/- 0.4%. This large degree of scatter precludes the use of average fluorescence lifetime data obtained with 380 nm excitation for the accurate prediction of the common chemical compositional parameters of crude petroleum oils.

Alkanes↗

PubMed1999

Primer for evaluating ecological risk at petroleum release sites.

Increasingly, risk-based approaches are being used to guide decision making at sites such as service stations and petroleum product terminals, where petroleum products have been inadvertently released to the soil. For example, the API Decision Support System software, DSS, evaluates site human health risk along six different routes of exposure. The American Society for Testing and Materials' Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) standard, ASTM 1739, establishes a tiered framework for evaluating petroleum release sites on the basis of human health risk. Though much of the risk assessment focus has been on human health risk, regulatory agencies recognize that protection of human health may not fully protect the environment; and EPA has developed guidance on identifying ecological resources to be protected through risk-based decision making. Not every service station or petroleum product terminal site warrants a detailed ecological risk assessment. In some cases, a simple preliminary assessment will provide sufficient information for decision making. Accordingly, the American Petroleum Institute (API) is developing a primer for site managers, to assist them in conducting this preliminary assessment, and in deciding whether more detailed ecological risk assessments are warranted. The primer assists the site manager in identifying relevant ecological receptors and habitats, in identifying chemicals and exposure pathways of concern, in developing a conceptual model of the site to guide subsequent actions, and in identifying conditions that may warrant immediate response.

Decision Making↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical and haematological assessment of workers exposed to some petroleum products in Enugu Urban, Enugu State, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to petroleum product(s) occurs during extraction, refining, transportation and utilisation. Surprisingly, this relatively common hazard has received little public recognition. We therefore studied the adverse effects of petroleum products among occupationally exposed liquefied petroleum gas and histochemical workers in Enugu Urban, Nigeria. METHODS: Eight industries/departments were surveyed. Sixty workers were tested for some biochemical and haematological parameters (phosphatases, transaminases, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate), were analysed, using standard methods. Also, 30 age and sex-matched apparently healthy subjects served as the control group. RESULTS: When the test and control results were compared, there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in: (1) haematocrit, reticulocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet, lymphocyte, monocyte, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase among liquefied petroleum gas workers and (2) haemoglobin, haematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelets, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocytes, acid phosphatases and alkaline phosphatase among histochemical workers. Overall, there was statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in most of the parameters among the test subjects when compared with the control group. Blood films of the workers revealed mild to moderate hypochromia, anisocytosis and poikilocytosis while the controls were normocytic and normochromic. CONCLUSION: We conclude that exposure to petroleum products adversely affects biochemical and haematological parameters. Hence, improved working conditions are recommended.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

[Toxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons and copper on polychaete Nereis diversicolor and on its antioxidant enzyme systems].

Under the condition of the laboratory simulation, the toxic effects of petroleum hydrocarbons and various concentrations of copper (Cu2+) on the polychaete Nereis diversicolor and on its antioxidant enzyme defense systems were examined. The results indicate that both petroleum hydrocarbons and CU2+ have high toxicity to the polychaete. After a 3-day exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons and Cu2+, the value of LD50 was 117.5 microL x L(-1) and 864.0 microg x L(-1), respectively. The activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were influenced significantly through a 5-day exposure to single pollution of Cu2+. The activity of POD was inhibited at first and then enhanced gradually; on the contrary, the activity of SOD showed a tendency of induction firstly and then inhibition. After exposed to petroleum hydrocarbons at the concentration of the value of LD50 for 5 days, POD activity of the polychaete was not significantly induced, and the activity of SOD was lower than that of control. A 5-day exposure to the joint-pollution of petroleum hydrocarbons and Cu2+ could bring out a decrease in the activities of POD and SOD firstly and then an increase. The changes in the activity of SOD can better reflect the toxic effects of pollutants on the polychaete.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Biochemical and haematological assessment of workers exposed to some petroleum products in Rnugu Urban, Rnugu State, Nigeria.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Long-term petroleum pollution alters soil microbial communities via electron transfer capacity: Evidence from a 35-year chronosequence.

Petroleum pollution poses a serious threat to soil ecosystems, especially in areas surrounding oil wells, where contamination should not be overlooked. Through a 35-year longitudinal study of soils surrounding oil wells, we demonstrate that petroleum hydrocarbons accumulate predominantly in the top 10 cm of soil, reducing the electron acceptor capacity (EAC) by 61.59 % (from 12.68 to 4.87 μmole-/gC) and decreasing the electron transfer capacity (ETC) by 43 %. Structural equation modeling identified ETC as the critical mediator of microbial community shifts, with EAC playing a pivotal role in sustaining redox processes. Notably, hydrocarbon accumulation triggered a microbial succession: The abundance of Actinomycetota (including genera Rhodococcus, Arthrobacter, and Rubrobacter) showed the most significant fluctuations within 2 years, while Pseudomonadota (genera Methylobacter, Thiobacillus, and Pseudomonas), which were dominant in uncontaminated soils, decreased markedly during this period. This transition coincided with peak microbial dysbiosis (microbial dysbiosis index in 2022 reached 31.41 times that of controls). Within two to four years following mild petroleum stress, the bacterial community established a new structural configuration, revealing a crucial window for ecological recovery. The coupling between ETC reduction and microbial succession highlights the pivotal role of electron flux in soil recovery. Our findings establish a mechanistic framework for ETC-targeted restoration strategies to enhance bioremediation in petroleum-contaminated soils.

Soil Microbiology↗

PubMed1996

External dacryocystorhinostomy without mucosal flaps: comparison of petroleum jelly gauze nasal packing with gelatin sponge nasal packing.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was designed (1) to determine the overall success of patients who underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) using a modified Kasper technique without lacrimal sac and nasal mucosal sutured flaps, and (2) to investigate the possible impact of intraoperative petroleum jelly gauze nasal packing as compared with gelatin sponge nasal packing on the surgical results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 122 consecutive patients who underwent external DCR using a modified Kasper technique was performed. Patients were divided into two groups based on use of petroleum jelly gauze packing or gelatin sponge packing. Criteria for successful surgery included resolution of the main symptom(s) of tearing, chronic mucous discharge (chronic dacryocystitis), and/or recurrent acute dacryocystitis; and patency of the reconstructed lacrimal system. RESULTS: Ninety-four of 96 patients who had petroleum jelly gauze packing had successful DCRs, whereas only 21 of 26 patients who had gelatin sponge packing had successful DCRs (P < .005). Soft tissue rather than bony obstruction of the rhinostomy was the most common cause of DCR failure, as confirmed by office probing, endoscopy, and computed tomography. Three patients in the gelatin sponge packing group who experienced failure subsequently had bacterial sinusitis. CONCLUSION: This study strongly suggests that gelatin sponge nasal packing, at least when used for patients who undergo DCR without sutured mucosal flaps, may be associated with an increased number of failures as a result of scar tissue formation at the rhinostomy site, as compared with petroleum jelly packing. Petroleum jelly gauze nasal packing may enhance surgical results by reducing scarring between the lacrimal sac fistula and the nasal structures.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1984

Comparative carcinogenic and mutagenic activity of coal tar and petroleum asphalt paints used in potable water supply systems.

Coal tar and petroleum asphalt paints are among the products used as coatings for water pipes and storage tanks to retard corrosion. Formulations of these coatings were tested in the Ames mutagenesis and the mouse skin carcinogenesis bioassays. To test the mutagenicity of the paints, six doses ranging from 0.005 to 10 microliters per plate were assayed. In the mouse skin bioassay, doses of the coal tar paints ranging from 0.2 to 200 microliters were administered topically to 30 SENCAR mice per group. These initiating doses were followed by applications of 1.0 micrograms of 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in 0.2 ml acetone topically, three times weekly for 20 weeks. Petroleum asphalt paints were tested in groups of 40 animals at 200 and 600 microliters doses. All coal tar paints showed mutagenic activity after metabolic activation with S-9, with the highest response being in strains TA 98 and TA 100. None of the petroleum asphalt paints gave mutagenic responses. Both types of coatings resulted in positive responses in the initiation/promotion study. The coal tar paints gave rise to 1000-1800 times the tumor response observed with petroleum asphalt products. One coal tar product was positive when tested as a complete carcinogen in the mouse at 2 microliters per application once weekly for 30 weeks, whereas the asphalt paint was negative at 100 times the dose. The biological responses to the products were greater than expected from their polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. These findings suggest that the hazard posed by these coatings may not be fully explained by their PAH contents.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Mutagenicity and chemical characterization of two petroleum distillates.

To investigate if the Salmonella/microsome assay could reliably screen complex petroleum samples for their carcinogenic potential, two high boiling (700-1070 degrees F) petroleum distillates with known activity in a dermal carcinogenesis bioassay were fully characterized with respect to their hydrocarbon composition and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PNA) content and assayed for mutagenic activity. Mutagenicity assays were also carried out on the aromatic hydrocarbon aggregates separated from these oils by adsorption chromatography. The composition of the distillates differed substantially, and reflected the fact that they were derived from crude oils that were extremely divergent in hydrocarbon character. Both the distillate and aromatic samples consistently induced a very slight increase in revertant TA98 and TA100 colonies; however, an increase of 2-4-fold over background was observed when the S-9 concentration was increased 5-10 times that of the standard assay. The maximal response was less than that expected from the samples' known PNA content and observed potency in the dermal carcinogenesis bioassay. In the Salmonella/microsome assay, all samples inhibited the mutagenic activity of added benzo[a]pyrene. Discordance between the magnitude of the samples' mutagenic activity and their known PNA content may be related to direct or indirect inhibition of sample PNAs by other components of the complex petroleum fractions. Observed inhibitory effects support the use of elevated S-9 concentration in the in vitro assays assessing the carcinogenic potential of petroleum-derived materials.

Animals↗