Environmental Fate of Crude Oil

The present study models the fate of diesel oil
spills in a variety of different desert (Libyan)
environment. Sand is vulnerable to pollution from
oil seepage, and sand in oil-producing regions is
especially so. However, the contribution of
different environmental factors and their interplay
are as yet poorly understood. The study
investigates the seepage velocity and composition
over time of one type of diesel oil in sand from
four Libyan locations and at different temperatures
(20 C and 37 C). Results suggest that sand bulk
density, ambient temperature, sand moisture content
(0.5 6%), and sand composition have large effects on
seepage velocity and composition over time. Results
determined velocities ranged, according to sand type
and condition, from 0.01 m/h to 1.67 m/h. Equally
and possibly more important, results also suggest
complex and strong interaction effects; these may
render predicting the pollution consequences of oil
spills difficult. Results from the model accord
with results from field studies, suggesting the
model has good ecological validity.

Autorentext

MSc.Holder In Environmental Chemistry (2006-2007) from University of NorthWales Bangor, United Kingdom,Gas chromatography lab supervisor at Libyan Petroleum Institute (LPI), P. O. Box 6431,Tripoli-Libya, since 2000.Gas chromatography specialist at Ras Lanuf oil and Gas company-Libya, since 1994.

Klappentext

The present study models the fate of diesel oil spills in a variety of different desert (Libyan) environment. Sand is vulnerable to pollution from oil seepage, and sand in oil-producing regions is especially so. However, the contribution of different environmental factors and their interplay are as yet poorly understood. The study investigates the seepage velocity and composition over time of one type of diesel oil in sand from four Libyan locations and at different temperatures (20 C and 37 C). Results suggest that sand bulk density, ambient temperature, sand moisture content (0.5-6%), and sand composition have large effects on seepage velocity and composition over time. Results determined velocities ranged, according to sand type and condition, from 0.01 m/h to 1.67 m/h. Equally and possibly more important, results also suggest complex and strong interaction effects; these may render predicting the pollution consequences of oil spills difficult. Results from the model accord with results from field studies, suggesting the model has good ecological validity.