study on the impact of oil extraction on waters from ... · the interpretations of the results was...

Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuşi” University of Târgu Jiu, Economy Series, Special Issue, volume II/2017

„ACADEMICA BRÂNCUŞI” PUBLISHER, ISSN 2344 – 3685/ISSN-L 1844 - 7007

STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF OIL EXTRACTION ON WATERS FROM TICLENI

AREA, GORJ COUNTY

CĂPĂŢÎNĂ CAMELIA ,

Associate prof. PhD. „CONSTANTIN BRÂNCUŞI“ UNIVERSITY OF TG-JIU, GORJ, ROMANIA;

e-mail:[email protected]

Abstract

Surface and groundwater pollution can be direct and indirect. In the extraction activity, oil and sewage are

potential sources of groundwater pollution in the area. Petroleum is extracted from the deposit through methods that

constitute both primary and secondary exploatation. The pollution in the areas of petroleum extraction is caused by

leaks from the transport pipes. In the majority of the cases , the damages of the transport pipes are caused by the

corrosive effect of salt water, which constitute the liquid impurity of the petroleum extract. A large quantity of

petroleum products penetrate into the hydrosphere from industrial leaks and refineries, either directly in the sea or via

the continental hydrographic network. It is estimated that via all these routes a quantity of 5-10 million tons of

oilpenetrate into the ocean waters annually. In the area of Ţicleni, surface and groundwater quality indicators were

monitored: pH, sulphates, chlorides, conductivity, hardness and oxygen content. The main water course draining

under study in the area is the Amaradia River, a tributary of the Jiu River.Here samples were taken for analysis.

Comparing the obtained results with the limits stipulated by the Order 161/2006 it is found that the groundwater

samples analyzed from the section located at the confluence of Strâmba brook with Cioiana brook corresponds to the

third grade in terms of salinity (chlorides), class II for sulphates and class I for the oxygen regime (chemical oxygen

demand).

Keywords: impact, water, oil extraction, determination, indicators,method

1. Introduction

Hydrocarbons that occur in different living environments (atmosphere, hydrosphere, soil)

can be derived from: different human activities (combustion of fossil fuels, wood, oil handling and

processing) on the one hand and natural processes (organic anaerobic decompositions , emanations

of natural gas) on the other hand.

If we take into account that a tonne of crude oil covers an almost 12 million square foot of

water, we can see the huge surface of the affected hydrosphere. (Teodosiu (2001)

Petroleum and petroleum product toxicity is often underestimated. Research shows that,

except for some high-purity products, all fractions of crude oil are toxic to the body.

Two categories of toxic effects on organisms are known: immediate toxicity and long-term

toxicity.( Negulescu (1974) Toxicity with immediate effect is caused by three fractions. The first is

saturated hydrocarbons. They are water soluble and at low concentrations cause amnesia, and at

higher concentrations the death of animals, especially young forms. Another fraction is aromatic

hydrocarbons, which are also water soluble and are the most toxic: benzene, toluene, xylene,

naphtho toluene, phenanthrene, etc. The third fraction of olefinic hydrocarbons appears in the

refining products and has intermediate toxicity as compared to the first two. It has also been found

that a series of compounds, including 3,4 benzoprene, isolated from crude oil in different areas

(Kuwait, Libya, Venezuela, Persian Gulf) in concentrations of 450-1800 mg / ton crude oil are

carcinogens.

Long-term toxic effects are more complex and difficult to estimate. Often, the effects may

be indirect by passing toxic or carcinogenic petroleum products along the trophic chains, given the

high persistence of these products.

For many of these species, petroleum products are virtually fatal either by their toxicity or

by direct damage to respiratory organs or body shells.

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The means of combating oil pollution are difficult and often inefficient, due to the

complexity of the situations in which they occur. In the case of discharges into the sea or in

freshwater, the situation is also complicated by the fact that, in the presence of detergents,

petroleum products are emulsified, which further increases the penetration and the negative

consequences on the biotic environment. (Antoniu (1987), (Cîrţînă (2005). The problem of the

water quality from Gorj county which is affected by industrial activities was tackled in numerous

scientific papers.( Gămăneci &al (2010), Căpăţînă.&al(2009), Gămăneci&al (2013).

The Cioiana brook springs from the east of the Bran Hill, fragmenting this hill and showing a

north-south flow direction up to the town of Ţicleni. The stream changes its water flow direction,

near the town of Ţicleni, from here to an East-West direction. In the area where it changes its flow

direction, the Cioiana brook receives as tributary the Strâmba brook. Cioiana Creek flows at a

distance of about 30 m from the oil residue.

The Strâmba brook has a south-northern water flow direction, being bordered to the west

and southwest by the Piscul de Ţicleni, southeast of Piscul Ilioaia, and to the north of the

Monastery Hill. This brook has an intermittent course, the thalweg exercising an erosion action on

the slope. The creek passes through a hill area at the foot of which is the town of Ţicleni and flows

at a distance of about 10 m from the batal.

This paper presents a study on the impact of crude oil extraction in Ticleni area.

2. Experimental

The objective is located at the confluence of Strâmba brook with Cioiana brook, in the

town of Ţicleni. According to the legal requirements the samples were taken in glass containers

with aluminum foil lid.

According to the MAPPM Order 184/1997, the sampling of groundwater from the well

and the two monitoring drillings located in potentially contaminated areas were established for the

quantitative assessment of the levels of groundwater pollution.

The well from which the sample was taken is about 300mdownstream. According to the

legal requirements, the samples were taken in glass containers with aluminum foil lid, transported

at 4 ° C. In order to highlight the influence of the activity carried out in the area on the surface

water quality, samples were taken during 2015 and 2016 from the Amaradia River in the Hurezani

area.( Intramediu(2003)

The pH was determined experimentally with Hanna portable pH meter.Chlorine

determination was performed using the argentometric method. .( Intramediu(2003)

Determination of oxidisable organic substances in water was performed using the KMnO4

method. Determination of conductivity was performed with Porort Multiparameter Consort. .(

Intramediu(2003)

The total hardness was determined by the complexation of the Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ metal

cations, which formed the hardness with the disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid at pH

= 10 in the presence of the black erythromycin T.Determination of sulphates in water was

performed using the spectrophotometric method. .( Intramediu(2003)

3. Results and discussions

The measured conductivity indicates that there are large amounts of dissolved salts in

groundwater. Thus, for this indicator, for all the samples taken, the concentration values are

exceeded compared to the standards imposed for drinking water. For drinking water the presence of

organic substances that can trigger infections is not allowed. Thus, taking into account the drinking

norm, water taken from all samples, including that in the well, can not be used as drinking water.

From the comparison with the STAS 9450/88 irrigation standard, the water in the well can

be used downstream for agricultural works, respectively for irrigation of gardens and field

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crops.For the assessment of groundwater quality, samples were taken from four wells in the

hydrocarbon fields. Samples were taken during the year 2015and the year 2016, each season one

sample, from each point.

Taking into account that groundwater is a frequent source of drinking water for local

residents, the results of laboratory analyzes have been interpreted in accordance with the limit

values set by Law no. 458/2002 "Drinking water quality", modified by Law no. 311/2004.

From the analysis of the values obtained for the determined physico-chemical indicators,

separate observations are separated for each other.

The values of the quality indicators that belong to the water samples taken from Amaradia

River are presented in Table 1 and Table 2.

Table 1. Quality indicators for the waters evacuated from Amaradia river

Quality

indicators

UM 2015

Sampling time

February June August November

pH Unit.pH 7,3 7,5 7,33 7,6

MTS mg/L 47 52 37 58

Settled

Waste

mg/L 490,3 476,8 80,2 400,3

CCOCr mg/L 44,28 50,26 46,78 31,00

Chlorides mg/L 13,117 14,24 7,06 13,55

Sulphates mg/L 102,8 110,4 19,1 97,8

Phenols mg/L 0,100 0,006 0,006 0,006

Iron mg/L 0,125 0,142 0,072 0,073

Magnesium mg/L 47,64 40,51 2,7 33,02

Calcium mg/L 96,16 101,5 16,0 87,17

Table 2. Quality indicators for the waters evacuated from Amaradia River

Quality

indicators

UM 2016

Sampling time

February June August November

pH Unit.pH 7,43 7,46 7,5 9 7,4 8

MTS mg/L 53 49 52 613

Settled waste mg/L 371,5 311,6 435,1 412,6

CCOCr mg/L 43,18 44,91 31,14 38,21

Chlorides mg/L 12,05 9,216 20,271 22,161

Sulphates mg/L 39,01 128,3 82,7 77,2

Phenols mg/L 0,007 0,007 0,007 0,008

Iron mg/L 0,078 0,068 0,139 0,101

Magnesium mg/L 27,07 42,43 57,2 2 47,27

Calcium mg/L 64,8 3 95,18 94,4 8 81,51

The results represent the measurements accomplished during two years, 2015 and 2016.

The interpretations of the results was made accordingly to NTPA Normative 001/2002

regarding the establishment of the supplying limits with polluters of the industrial and city used

waters at the evacuation in the natural receivers, approved by GD no. 188/2002 for approving

certain norms regarding the discharging conditions in the water environment of the used waters,

amended and completed by GD no. 352/2005.

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By analysing the determined indicators for the waters evacuated from the quarry, it is found

that only in case of the total matters in suspension there were registered crossings of the maximum

admitted concentrations, as the overcrossing frequency is 100% .

The registered values for total matters in suspension were 1,06 to 1,6 times higher than the

admitted limit.

For the other measured indicators, the obtained values were placed under the maximum

admitted concentration.

Therefore, for settled waste, the concentrations had values contained between 81,1 mg/L,

the lowest one, and 490,6 mg/L, the highest one, representing 4,05%, respectively 22,1 % of the

admitted limit value.

For the chemical oxygen consumption, the values were between 31,0 mg/L, the lowest one

and respectively 50,18 mg/L, the highest one, as they represent 45,7% and 71,8% of the admitted

limit value.

The chlorides registered values contained between 7,06 mg/L in 2015 and 22,161 mg/L in

2016, representing 1,41% and respectively 4,5 % of the admitted limit value.

The sulphate concentrations registered values contained between19,1 mg/L and 129,2 mg/L

during the two study years, representing 3,2 % and respectively 20,5% of the admitted limit value.

The values registered for the phenols were placed between 2,1 % and 32,7% of the admitted

limit value.

For the iron, the concentrations registered during the two years registered values

representing between 1,2 6% and 2,94% of the admitted limit value.

In case of magnesium, the concentration variations were placed between 2,8 %, the lowest

one, and 56,32% the highest one, of the admitted limit value.

In case of calcium, the registered values were also placed under the admitted limit.

Therefore, the lowest value represented only 5,21 % of the maximum admitted

concentration, and the highest one represented 33,2%,

According to the presented facts referring to the waters evacuated from Jilt Southern

quarry, waters that may come from precipitations or from the water table, we may find that the

closest values to the maximum admitted concentration were registered for the “Chemical

consumption of oxygen, magnesium and calcium”. The rest of the analysed indicators are placed

way under the admitted limit.

The variation in electrical conductivity during 2016 at the 4 sampling points is shown in

Figure 1.

Fig. 1. Variation of electrical conductivity in groundwater

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

March May August NovembermS/

cm

Sampling period P1 P2

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For this indicator the Law 458/2002 provides an admissible limit value of 2500 μS /

cm. Analyzing the obtained values it is found that in all cases sa exceeded the admissible limit

imposed by the law.

The lowest value was recorded in sampling point 3 in May, which is 1.04 times higher than

the admissible limit. The maximum value was recorded in sampling point 2 in May, which is 3.14

times the admissible limit.For chlorine indicator Law 458/2002 provides an admissible value of

250 mg / L.

The variation in chlorine concentration in the 4 sampling areas during 2016 is shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 2. Variation of chlorine concentration in groundwater

Analyzing the obtained values it is observed that in all cases the admissible limit of 250 mg

/L was exceeded. The highest values were recorded at the sampling point number 3, oscillating

from 7.71 times higher in March to 8.66 times higher in August against the permissible limit. The

smallest concentrations measured throughout the year were recorded in point 4. They were 1.42

times higher in March and 2 times higher in August to the admitted value.

Comparing the obtained results with the limits stipulated by the law, it is ascertained that

the water from the groundwater does not fall within the limits of drinking, with mineralization

overshoots (conductivity, chlorides) being recorded. The water curvature is expressed as an

equivalent concentration of CaO (10 mg / l CaO = 1 ° German). In the presented case , the values

obtained for total hardness at the 4 sampling points indicate very tough water.

The main water course, draining the studied area is the Amaradia River, a tributary of the

Jiu River. The interpretation of the results obtained from the analyzes was done according to the

provisions of the Minister of Environment and Waters Management Order no. 161/2006 for the

approval of the Normative regarding the classification of surface water quality in order to establish

the ecological state of the water bodies.

After analyzing the obtained results, the following aspects can be mentioned regarding the

analyzed indicators:The pH falls within the limits imposed by the current legislation. Chlorides

obtained fall into the section analyzed in Grade III quality. The variation in chlorine concentration

in the Amaradia River in Hurezani is shown in Figure 3.

0

1000

2000

3000

March May August November

mg/

l

Sampling period P1 P2

93



Fig. 3. Changes in the concentration of Cl - River Amaradia

According to Order no. 161/2006 the results obtained for the sulphates presented in figure 4

include the water from the analyzed section in the second quality class.

Fig. 4. Changes in the concentration of SO 4 -2

in the river Amaradia

According to the values obtained for CCOMn, the analyzed water corresponds to Class I

quality.

4 . Conclusions

The toxic effects of oil extraction are more complex and difficult to estimate on a long

term. They consist in the fact that different water-soluble fractions in often very small

concentrations interfere with numerous climate messengers (exometabolitic, exocrine), which are

normally of great importance in the nutrition, defense, reproduction of many aquatic animals. The

extraction of petroleum in Țicleni pollutes surface water, subtarean water and soil. Altough the

extraction of petroleum is harmfull to the enviroment, it also has some benefits , for example

gasoline and disel oil(which are used in transportation industry) are obtained from the distilation of

petroleum.

The negativ impact of the petroleum extraction can be diminished through : by upgrading the

050

100150200250300350


mg/

l

0

100

200

300

400


mg/

l

Sampling period P1 Clasa IClasa II Clasa III

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stations used in the extraction of petroleum and by placing purification stations near the extraction

zone of petroleum.From the analysis of sulphate concentrations in the water samples, they classify

water in the 2nd quality class according to Order 1146/2002, the chlorides classify water in the

third qualityclass whereas the oxygen regime classifies it within the quality I class.

5. Bibliography [1]. Teodosiu C.,2001, Drinking and Industrial Water Technology, MATRIX ROM Publishing

House, Bucharest

[2]. Negulescu M., 1974,Urban Waste Water Treatment, Technical Publishing House,

Bucharest.

[3]. Rojanschi V., Ognean Th,.1997, The book of the operator of wastewater treatment plants,

Technical Publishing House, Bucharest, 1997.

[4]. Intramediu,2003, Environmental Quality Control, Practical Laboratory, Faculty of

Industrial Chemistry ,University Paper.

[5]. Antoniu R., Bondor D., Constantinescu Gh, Ghederim V., Mark M., Negulescu M. ,

Popescu V.,1987, Industrial Waste Water Treatment, vol. 1, Technical Publishing House,

Bucharest,

[6]. Cîrţînă D.,2005, Water Pollution, Sitech Publishing House

[7]. , ***Order of the minister of environment and water management no. 161/2006 for the

approval of the Normative regarding the classification of surface water quality in order to

establish the ecological status of the water bodies

[8]. ***Law no. 458/2002 "Drinking water quality", modified by Law no. 311/2004.

[9]. Gămăneci Gh., Căpăţînă C. ,2010, Study regarding the improvement of Motru river

water quality on the territory of Gorj County, Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuşi”

University of Târgu-Jiu, Issue 3/, p.460-468, ISSN 1842-4856.

[10]. Căpăţînă C. Şchiopu E.C.,2009, The impact of the petroleum extraction activity upon in

the underground and surface waters, Annals Food Science and Technology, p.311-314, vol.

10, Issue 1, ISSN 2065-2828.

[11]. Gămăneci , Gh, Căpăţînă, C.,2013 Studies regarding the water quality in Matasari town

of Gorj county, Annals of the „Constantin Brâncuşi” University of Târgu-Jiu, No. 3/, pg.90-

97,ISSN 1842-4856.

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