Contamination by oil crude extraction - Refinement and their effects on human health

Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles from Lawsonia inermis and its effect on the biodegradation of crude oil hydrocarbon

Crude oil hydrocarbons are considered major environmental pollutants and pose a significant threat to the environment and humans due to having severe carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Bioremediation is one of the practical and promising technology that can be applied to treat the hydrocarbon-polluted environment. In this present study, rhamnolipid biosurfactant (BS) produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PP4 and green synthesized iron nanoparticles (G-FeNPs) from Lawsonia inermis was used to evaluate the biodegradation efficiency (BE) of crude oil. The surface analysis of G-FeNPs was carried out by using FESEM and HRTEM to confirm the size and shape. Further, the average size of the G-FeNPs was observed around 10 nm by HRTEM analysis. The XRD and Raman spectra strongly confirm the presence of iron nanoparticles with their respective peaks. The BE (%) of mixed degradation system-V (PP4+BS+G-FeNPs) was obtained about 82%. FTIR spectrum confirms the presence of major functional constituents (C=O, -CH3, C-O, and OH) in the residual oil content. Overall, this study illustrates that integrated nano-based bioremediation could be an efficient approach for hydrocarbon-polluted environments. This study is the first attempt to evaluate the G-FeNPs with rhamnolipid biosurfactant on the biodegradation of crude oil.

Environmental impacts of carbon fiber production and decarbonization performance in wind turbine blades

The application of carbon fiber in the wind power industry is of great interest in declining CO2 emissions but the carbon fiber manufacturing process is still a long way heading cleaner production. Since little to no information clarifies the dual effects from carbon fiber production to application, this study carried out a life cycle assessment (LCA) to recognize the environmental performances of polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber production and explore the decarbonization effects of carbon fiber application in wind turbine blades. Based on on-site data from a leading carbon fiber production chain in China, potential environmental impacts of carbon fiber production predominantly originated from the precursor spinning stage (accounted for 13-91%). Fossil depletion (20.24 kg oil eq.), climate change (67.79 kg CO2 eq.), terrestrial ecotoxicity (165.63 kg 1,4-DCB eq.) and photochemical ozone formation (0.14 kg NOx eq.) were the four noteworthy areas to improve the sustainable development. Different scenarios in energy and advanced technology were set to explore the potential improvement of the environmental performance of carbon fiber products. Energy structure (wind power) can improve an average of 22.58% environmental benefit compared with the background scenarios. Regarding the decarbonization effects, the energy payback time and the carbon payback time were estimated to be 0.73 and 0.37 months respectively. Therefore, carbon fiber is a trustworthy material in the strategy to achieve sustainable development from a life cycle perspective.

Harnessing fungal bio-electricity: a promising path to a cleaner environment

Integrating fungi into fuel cell systems presents a promising opportunity to address environmental pollution while simultaneously generating energy. This review explores the innovative concept of constructing wetlands as fuel cells for pollutant degradation, offering a practical and eco-friendly solution to pollution challenges. Fungi possess unique capabilities in producing power, fuel, and electricity through metabolic processes, drawing significant interest for applications in remediation and degradation. Limited data exist on fungi's ability to generate electricity during catalytic reactions involving various enzymes, especially while remediating pollutants. Certain species, such as Trametes versicolor, Ganoderma lucidum, Galactomyces reessii, Aspergillus spp., Kluyveromyce smarxianus, and Hansenula anomala, have been reported to generate electricity at 1200 mW/m3, 207 mW/m2, 1,163 mW/m3, 438 mW/m3, 850,000 mW/m3, and 2,900 mW/m3, respectively. Despite the eco-friendly potential compared to conventional methods, fungi's role remains largely unexplored. This review delves into fungi's exceptional potential as fuel cell catalysts, serving as anodic or cathodic agents to mitigate land, air, and water pollutants while simultaneously producing fuel and power. Applications cover a wide range of tasks, and the innovative concept of wetlands designed as fuel cells for pollutant degradation is discussed. Cost-effectiveness may vary depending on specific contexts and applications. Fungal fuel cells (FFCs) offer a versatile and innovative solution to global challenges, addressing the increasing demand for alternative bioenergy production amid population growth and expanding industrial activities. The mechanistic approach of fungal enzymes via microbial combinations and electrochemical fungal systems facilitates the oxidation of organic substrates, oxygen reduction, and ion exchange membrane orchestration of essential reactions. Fungal laccase plays a crucial role in pollutant removal and monitoring environmental contaminants. Fungal consortiums show remarkable potential in fine-tuning FFC performance, impacting both power generation and pollutant degradation. Beyond energy generation, fungal cells effectively remove pollutants. Overall, FFCs present a promising avenue to address energy needs and mitigate pollutants simultaneously.

An overview of in situ remediation for groundwater co-contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons

Groundwater is an important component of water resources. Mixed pollutants comprising heavy metals (HMs) and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) from industrial activities can contaminate groundwater through such processes as rainfall infiltration, runoff and discharge, which pose direct threats to human health through the food chain or drinking water. In situ remediation of contaminated groundwater is an important way to improve the quality of a water environment, develop water resources and ensure the safety of drinking water. Bioremediation and permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) were discussed in this paper as they were effective and affordable for in situ remediation of complex contaminated groundwater. In addition, media types, technology combinations and factors for the PRBs were highlighted. Finally, insights and outlooks were presented for in situ remediation technologies for complex groundwater contaminated with HMs and PHs. The selection of an in situ remediation technology should be site specific. The remediation of complex contaminated groundwater can be approached from various perspectives, including the development of economical materials, the production of slow-release and encapsulated materials, and a combination of multiple technologies. This review is expected to provide technical guidance and assistance for in situ remediation of complex contaminated groundwater.

Vitamin C supplementation modulates crude oil contaminated water induced gravid uterine impaired contractile mechanism and foetal outcomes in Wistar rats

OBJECTIVES

Crude oil is a common environmental contaminant that impacts the reproductive functions of women. Understanding the contractile mechanism of the gravid uterus and how it impacts fetal outcomes during crude oil-contaminated water (CCW) exposure is still evolving. This study investigates the effect of vitamin C supplementation during the ingestion of CCW from Bayelsa, Nigeria, on the contractile mechanism of the gravid uterus and fetal outcomes.

METHODS

Fifteen nulliparous pregnant rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 rats each and treated with normal saline (control), CCW (2.5 mL), and CCW + vitamin C (10 mg/kg bwt), respectively. Treatments were via oral gavage from gestation days 1-19. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of CCW, uterine oxidative biomarkers, and in vitro contractile activity of excised uterine tissue to acetylcholine, oxytocin, magnesium, and potassium were determined. Furthermore, uterine responses to acetylcholine after incubation with nifedipine, indomethacin, and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester were also recorded using the Ugo Basile data capsule acquisition system. Fetal weights, morphometric indices, and anogenital distance were also determined.

RESULTS

Acetylcholine, oxytocin, magnesium, diclofenac, and indomethacin-mediated contractile mechanisms were significantly impaired with CCW exposure; however, vitamin C supplementation significantly attenuated the impaired uterine contractile activity. Maternal serum estrogen, weight, uterine superoxide dismutase, fetal weight, and anogenital distance were significantly reduced in the CCW group compared to the vitamin C supplemented group.

CONCLUSIONS

Ingestion of CCW impaired the uterine contractile mechanism, fetal developmental indices, oxidative biomarkers, and estrogen. Vitamin C supplementation modulated these by elevating uterine antioxidant enzymes and reducing free radicals.

Health conditions of Hitnü indigenous people potentially exposed to crude oil in Arauca, Colombia

Introduction: The Hitnü indigenous people live in precarious sanitary conditions, with food insecurity and being victims of sociopolitical violence in Arauca, Colombia. In addition, it is possible that they may be affected by exposure to hydrocarbons found in oil. Objective: To identify the health outcomes of morbidity and mortality profiles of the Hitnü people that could be associated with the exposure to crude oil. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with Hitnü indigenous people, during February and March, 2021, time of drought. A household questionnaire was applied, and one individual to collect data from the environment around the house, occupations and other activities, as well as data from sociodemographic, signs, symptoms, and findings of a medical examination. The potential association with hydrocarbons was explored considering three groups: inhabitants in Arauca city, Aspejaná reserve (not exposed), and San José del Lipa and La Vorágine reserves (exposed by the Ele river and tributaries). With free listings, causes of death were explored. The study incorporated a rigorous intercultural management in all its components. Results: A total of 576 indigenous people from 16 settlements participated. The water consumed could serve as means of exposure to hydrocarbons. Health problems were very varied, including infectious and chronic diseases, malnutrition, and trauma. The masses on the neck were associated with residing in the ancestral reserves (PR = 3.86; CI95% 1.77-8.39), territories with potential exposure to crude-oil. The most relevant causes of death were homicide, tumors, and tuberculosis. Conclusion: For its possible association with exposure to hydrocarbons, it is a priority to start the intercultural study of lymphadenopathies in indigenous communities potentially exposed to crude oil.

Utilization of a biosurfactant foam/nanoparticle mixture for treatment of oil pollutants in soil

Oil contamination has become a primary environmental concern due to increased exploration, production, and use. When oil enters the soil, it may attach or adsorb to soil particles and stay in the soil for an extended period, contaminating the soil and surrounding areas. Nanoparticles have been widely used for the treatment of organic pollutants in the soil. Surfactant foam has effectively been employed to remediate various soil contaminants or recover oil compounds. In this research, a mixture of biosurfactant foam/nanoparticle was utilized for remediation of oil-contaminated soil. The results demonstrated that the biosurfactant/nanoparticle mixture and nitrogen gas formed high-quality and stable foams. The foam stability depended on the foam quality, biosurfactant concentration, and nanoparticle dosage. The pressure gradient change in the soil column relied on the flowrate (N₂ gas + surfactant/nanoparticle mixture), foam quality, and biosurfactant concentration. The optimal conditions to obtain good quality and stable foams and high oil removal efficiency involved 1 vol% rhamnolipid, 1 wt% nanoparticle, and 1 mL/min flowrate. Biosurfactant foam/nanoparticle mixture was effectively used to remediate oil-contaminated soil, whereas the highest treatment efficiency was 67%, 59%, and 52% for rhamnolipid biosurfactant foam/nanoparticle, rhamnolipid biosurfactant/nanoparticle, and only rhamnolipid biosurfactant, respectively. The oil removal productivity decreased with the increase of flowrate due to the shorter contact time between the foam mixture and oil droplets. The breakthrough curves of oil pollutants in the soil column also suggested that the foam mixture's maximum oil treatment efficiency was higher than biosurfactant/nanoparticle suspension and only biosurfactant.

High-spatial-resolution VOCs emission from the petrochemical industries and its differential regional effect on soil in typical economic zones of China

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are toxic to the ecological environment. The emission of VOCs into the atmosphere has already caused attention. However, few studies focus on their regional effects on soil. As a major VOCs source in China, research on the effect of petrochemical industry on the environment is urgent and essential for regional control and industrial layout. This study established national VOCs emission inventory of five petrochemical sub-industries and spatial distribution based on consumption of raw material or products' yield and 28,888 factories. The VOCs emissions showed continuously increasing trend from 2008 to 2019, with cumulative 1.83 × 10⁷ t, wherein these from rapid economic development zones accounted for 66.10%. The detected concentrations of VOCs in various industries combined with meteorological parameters were used in Resistance Model to quantify regional dry deposition. Higher concentrations of 111 VOC species were 238.27, 260.01, 207.54 μg·m^-3 from large-scale enterprises for crude oil and natural gas extraction, oil processing, synthetic rubber and resin, leading to higher deposition ratios of 0.81%-0.94%, 0.70%-0.81%, 1.50%-1.75% in rapid economic development zones, respectively. The regional climate condition played a dominant role. Annual VOCs dry deposition amount in rapid economic development zones was calculated to be totally 6.38 × 10³ t using obtained deposition ratios and emissions, with 3.21 × 10³ t in Bohai Economic Rim (BER), 2.42 × 10³ t in Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), 748.43 t in Pearl River Delta (PRD). Generally, crude oil and natural gas extraction, oil processing, synthetic rubber and resin contributed 13.09%, 57.77% and 29.14%, respectively. The proportion of synthetic rubber and resin for dry deposition increased by 5.04%-18.81% compared with VOCs emissions in BER and YREB. In contrast, it declined from 45.52% for emission to 29.86% for deposition due to absolute dominance of small-scale enterprises in PRD. Overall, VOCs control from oil processing was significant, especially in BER.

Mineralization of pyrene (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) in clay soil supplemented with animal organic carbon source

Biostimulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a major concern in the environment due to their toxic nature and ubiquitous occurrence. The study aimed to determine the best animal supplement of organic carbon source (cow dung, goat dung, pig dung and poultry (fowl droppings) and indigenous microbes capable of mineralizing pyrene in clay soil. Clay soil sample was collected from the top surface soil (0 - 15 cm) in Ikpoba River and upper Lawani river bank, both in Benin City with the aid of stainless steel trowel and gloved hands and stored in a polyethylene bag. The isolation and identification process were evaluated by staining method, microscopic examination and biochemical tests. The degradation experiment was conducted in bioreactors and supplemented cow dung, pig dung, goat dung and fowl droppings were added in varying amounts of 25 g/l, 50 g/l, 75 g/l and 100 g/l. The potential effects of animal organic carbon as nutrient supplements to enhance mineralization of pyrene were investigated. The rates of mineralization of pyrene were studied for a remediation period of 35 days at room temperature of about 25 °C. Results obtained from microbial isolation showed that B. substilis and A. niger were the most populated in the soil and were therefore selected. The degradation experiment showed that mixed culture of B. substilis and A. niger using 50 g/l supplement with the dungs and droppings gave the highest percentage degradation with fowl droppings 98.3%, pig dung 98.1%, goat dung 97.8%, and cow dung 97.7%. The least degradation was observed in supplement with 100 g/l in a single culture of A. niger with fowl droppings yielded 64.5% degradation, pig dung 63.8%, goat dung 63.7% and cow dung 62.7%. The overall results of the study showed that 50 g/l of animal wastes supplement in the ratio of 1:4 with pyrene contaminated soils are most effective in degradation processes. Also the mixed culture of bacteria and fungi enhanced pyrene mineralization and degradation more than single culture.

The Formation, Stabilization and Separation of Oil–Water Emulsions: A Review

Oil–water emulsions are widely generated in industries, which may facilitate some processes (e.g., transportation of heavy oil, storage of milk, synthesis of chemicals or materials, etc.) or lead to serious upgrading or environmental issues (e.g., pipeline plugging, corrosions to equipment, water pollution, soil pollution, etc.). Herein, the sources, classification, formation, stabilization, and separation of oil–water emulsions are systematically summarized. The roles of different interfacially active materials–especially the fine particles–in stabilizing the emulsions have been discussed. The advanced development of micro force measurement technologies for oil–water emulsion investigation has also been presented. To provide insights for future industrial application, the separation of oil–water emulsions by different methods are summarized, as well as the introduction of some industrial equipment and advanced combined processes. The gaps between some demulsification processes and industrial applications are also touched upon. Finally, the development perspectives of oil–water treatment technology are discussed for the purpose of achieving high-efficiency, energy-saving, and multi-functional treatment. We hope this review could bring forward the challenges and opportunities for future research in the fields of petroleum production, coal production, iron making, and environmental protection, etc.

Is the anemia in men an effect of the risk of crude oil contamination?

Pollution from oil spills can seriously affect many ecosystem processes and human health. Many articles have evaluated the impact of oil spills on human health. However, most of these articles focus on occupational exposure. The effect on people living in the areas affected by oil pollution is rarely studied. Approximately 640 million people worldwide live in areas at risk of oil pollution. Thus, studying the impact of this pollution on human health should be a priority. Here, we evaluate the presence of anemia in relation to crude oil exposure in men living in areas at risk of oil contamination in the Ecuadorian Amazon (Orellana and Napo). We evaluated the hematological and biochemical parameters of 135 participants. We divided the participants into three groups according to exposure: low, medium, and high. Our results showed a significant association between exposure risk and hemoglobin and hematocrit concentration. Groups with medium- and high- contamination exposure had levels below normal values in hemoglobin and hematocrit in more than 30% and 26% of the population, respectively. In conclusion, we found that crude oil affected human health, and the prevalence of the anemia in men was dependent of the level of contamination.

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Biochemical and hematological parameters were analyzed of population of Amazon of Ecuador.

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A relationship between exposure to crude oil and anemia in men was observed.

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GLM did not show effects on monocytes, granulocytes, lymphocytes, or red blood cells.

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OR significant effects of the level of risk on hematocrit were evidenced.

Investigation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Fingerprints of Water and Sediment Samples of the Nestos River Estuary in Northern Greece

The oil and gas industry is definitely considered the main contributor in the energy sector, acting as the lifeblood of our planet. However, environmental contamination by crude oil and petroleum products due to anthropogenic activities is of great concern. Nestos River springs from Bulgaria and has a total length of 234 km, from which 135 km belong on Greek land. It is globally recognized as nature’s miracle accommodating a variety of habitats, flora, and fauna species at the deltaic area protected by the RAMSAR Convention. In the current study, water and sediment samples from three different sites along the river course and other six sites of the delta region and the surrounding sea area were selected in order to investigate the potential environmental impact of the nearby oil and gas industry in the Prinos-Kavala basin that operates over 40 years. The samples were analyzed by fingerprinting techniques using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Crude oil samples and different petroleum products were also analyzed to disclose specific markers (biomarkers) that characterize the different sources of oil spills. The analytical data revealed that the distribution of biomarkers is a valuable tool in oil spill identification as well as in their correlation to suspected sources. Extract ion chromatograms of the reference samples showed significant differences in the distribution of n-alkane, isoprenoid, sterane, triterpane, and dibenzothiophene compounds. The results on the analyzed water and sediment samples bared no evidence of environmental hazards associated with the hydrocarbon exploration and production activities of the neighboring oil and gas company.

Multitemporal Analysis as a Non-Invasive Technology Indicates a Rapid Change in Land Use in the Amazon: The Case of the ITT Oil Block

The Amazon Region of Ecuador (ARE) hosts a great variety of biodiversity and ecosystems. These hotspots are internationally recognized for presenting unique fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world. Within the ARE, there is the Yasuní National Park (YNP), a recognized Biosphere Reserve located in the sub-basins of various rivers. The study area is the “ITT Oil Block” (Ishpingo, Tambococha, and Tiputini), situated in the Province of Orellana and superimposed on the YNP. The block has an area of 179,449.53 ha. The main objective of the current study was to analyze the multi-temporality of land-use change in the ITT Oil Block of the ARE. In the methodological process, the PCI Geomatic and ARCGIS programs were used for the processing and classification of satellite images (Landsat 7 and 8). The changes in land use in the ITT Oil Block over the three periods (2001, 2014, and 2017) indicated that forest cover decreased by 24.23% in soils, while infrastructure and cultivation increased throughout the time period by 0.27% and 0.23%, respectively. The most significant land-use change rate in the ITT Oil Block in the period 2001–2017 are the categories of bare soil with 9.01% (10,640.82 ha) and cultivation with 7.27% (591.29 ha).

Micro RNA (miRNA) Differential Expression and Exposure to Crude-Oil-Related Compounds

This review summarizes studies on miRNA differential regulation related to exposure to crude oil and 20 different crude oil chemicals, such as hydrocarbons, sulphur, nitrogen, and metal- containing compounds. It may be interesting to explore the possibility of using early post-transcriptional regulators as a potential novel exposure biomarker.

Crude oil has been defined as a highly complex mixture of solids, liquids, and gases. Given the toxicological properties of the petroleum components, its extraction and elaboration processes represent high-risk activities for the environment and human health, especially when accidental spills occur. The effects on human health of short-term exposure to petroleum are well known, but chronic exposure effects may variate depending on the exposure type (i.e., work, clean-up activities, or nearby residence).

As only two studies are focused on miRNA differential expression after crude-oil exposure, this review will also analyse the bibliography concerning different crude-oil or Petroleum-Related Compounds (PRC) exposure in Animalia L. kingdom and how it is related to differential miRNA transcript levels. Papers include in vitro, animal, and human studies across the world.

A list of 10 miRNAs (miR-142-5p, miR-126-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-451a, miR-16-5p, miR-28-5p, let-7b-5p, miR-320b, miR-27a-3p and miR-346) was created based on bibliography analysis and hypothesised as a possible “footprint” for crude-oil exposure. miRNA differential regulation can be considered a Big-Data related challenge, so different statistical programs and bioinformatics tools were used to have a better understanding of the biological significate of the most interesting data.

Advances in production of high-value lipids by oleaginous yeasts

The global market for high-value fatty acids production, mainly omega-3/6, hydroxy fatty-acids, waxes and their derivatives, has seen strong development in the last decade. The reason for this growth was the increasing utilization of these lipids as significant ingredients for cosmetics, food and the oleochemical industries. The large demand for these compounds resulted in a greater scientific interest in research focused on alternative sources of oil production - among which microorganisms attracted the most attention. Microbial oil production offers the possibility to engineer the pathways and store lipids enriched with the desired fatty acids. Moreover, costly chemical steps are avoided and direct commercial use of these fatty acids is available. Among all microorganisms, the oleaginous yeasts have become the most promising hosts for lipid production - their efficient lipogenesis, ability to use various (often highly affordable) carbon sources, feasible large-scale cultivations and wide range of available genetic engineering tools turns them into powerful micro-factories. This review is an in-depth description of the recent developments in the engineering of the lipid biosynthetic pathway with oleaginous yeasts. The different classes of valuable lipid compounds with their derivatives are described and their importance for human health and industry is presented. The emphasis is also placed on the optimization of culture conditions in order to improve the yield and titer of these valuable compounds. Furthermore, the important economic aspects of the current microbial oil production are discussed.

Enhanced biodegradation of light crude oil by immobilized Bacillus licheniformis in fabricated alginate beads through electrospray technique

Petroleum contamination of marine environments due to exploitation and accidental spills causes serious harm to ecosystems. Bioremediation with immobilized microorganisms is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective emerging technology for treating oil-polluted environments. In this study, Bacillus licheniformis was entrapped in Ca alginate beads using the electrospray technique for light crude oil biodegradation. Three important process variables, including inoculum size (5-15% v/v), initial oil concentration (1500-3500 ppm), and NaCl concentration (0-30 g/L), were optimized to obtain the best response of crude oil removal using response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken design (BBD). The highest crude oil removal of 79.58% was obtained for 1500 ppm of crude oil after 14 days using immobilized cells, and it was lower for freely suspended cells (64.77%). Our result showed similar trends in the effect of variables on the oil biodegradation rate in both free cell (FC) and immobilized cell (IC) systems. However, according to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, the extent of the variables' effectiveness was different in FC and IC systems. In the immobilized cell system, all variables had a greater effect on the rate of light crude oil degradation. Moreover, to evaluate the effectiveness of free and immobilized B. licheniformis in bioremediation of an actual polluted site, the crude oil spill in natural seawater was investigated. The results suggested the stability of beads in the seawater, as well as high degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by free and immobilized cells in the presence of indigenous microorganisms.

Combine effect of exposure to petrol, kerosene and diesel fumes: On hepatic oxidative stress and haematological function in rats

Petroleum product fumes (PPFs) containing toxic organic components are pervasive in the environment, emanating from anthropogenic activities, including petroleum exploration and utilization by end-user activities from petrol-gasoline stations. Petrol station attendants are exposed to PPF through inhalation and dermal contact with consequent toxicological implications. We investigated the effects of chronic exposure (60 and 90 days) to petrol (P), kerosene (K) and diesel (D) alone and combined exposure to petrol, kerosene and diesel (PKD) fumes on hepatotoxicity, haematological function and oxidative stress in rats. Following sacrifice, we evaluated hepatic damage biomarkers, blood glucose, oxidative stress and haematological function. Chronic exposure to PPF significantly increased organo-somatic indices, blood glucose, biomarkers of hepatic toxicity and oxidative stress in an exposure duration-dependent manner. There was a simultaneous decrease in the protective capacity of antioxidants. Furthermore, exposure to PPF increased pro-inflammatory biomarkers in rats (90 > 60 days). Regardless of exposure duration, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and red cell distribution width in the coefficient of variation increased, whereas red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, lymphocyte, monocyte-basophil-eosinophil mixed counts and platelet count decreased after 60 and 90 days exposure. Microscopic examination of the liver demonstrated hepatic pathological changes paralleling the duration of exposure to PKD fumes. However, the injury observed was lesser to that of rats treated with the diethylnitrosamine - positive control. Our results expanded previous findings and further demonstrated the probable adverse effect on populations' health occasioned by persistent exposure to PPF. Individuals chronically exposed by occupation to PPF may be at greater risk of developing disorders promoted by continuous oxido-inflammatory perturbation and suboptimal haematological-immunologic function - thereby enabling a permissive environment for pathogenesis notwithstanding the limitation of quantifying PPF absolute values in our model system.

Challenges to Water Management in Ecuador: Legal Authorization, Quality Parameters, and Socio-Political Responses

Ecuador has historically had a unique experience with water law, management, and policy as a result of its constitutional declaration of water access as a human right. In this paper, the legal, environmental, economic, and social aspects related to water management in Ecuador are analyzed. In doing so, the incorporation of local governance structures such as water users’ associations (WUAs) are characterized within a national model of authorization under SENAGUA, Ecuador’s former water agency, highlighting the importance of integrated management for meeting the country’s geographically and environmentally diverse needs. Additionally, the role of anthropogenic activities such as crude oil production, artisanal and small-scale gold (ASGM) mining, agriculture, sewage discharge, and domestic practices are evaluated in the context of policy implementation and environmental quality concerns. Finally, individual and community-level responses are explored, highlighting the importance of geographically specific perceptions of water rights and quality in the adoption of coping strategies. In these ways, a multi-faceted analysis of Ecuadorian water policy shaped by community-level engagement, geographic diversity, and influential economic sectors is developed. This study highlights the need for increased financial and legislative support around extractive and polluting industries such as agriculture, ASGM, and sewage treatment for long-term safety and sustainability of water access in Ecuador. Additionally, increased efforts to educate industry-specific workers, local management boards, and individuals about potential solutions to water-related challenges will help improve the efficiency of current legislation. Finally, this study underscores a need for additional research related to water quality and sustainability in Ecuador, as well as for the social, economic, and environmentally specific factors that influence water security outcomes in the country.

Crude oil and public health issues in Niger Delta, Nigeria: Much ado about the inevitable

The importance of crude oil has come at a great cost. In many developing economies of the world, it can be described as the bitter-sweet crude for its double-edged impacts on the welfare, wellness and wellness of the people. Agitations and restiveness remain characteristic features of Niger Delta following claims of exploitation and neglect of the local population by the multinationals. Literature on the environmental and public health impacts of crude oil was searched from relevant databases such as google scholar, Science Direct, Scopus and PubMed. This paper is a translational scientific and toxicological insight on what should be done by the major players rather than casting unending aspersions. Since living near oil spills and crude oil production sites is an environmental stressor occasioned by exposure to both chemical pollutants and physical menace that are all detrimental to health, cumulative risk assessment CRA is proposed as a viable approach for a comprehensive understanding of the size of this problem. Multinational oil companies should support development of Environmental Medicine Research which will in turn generate data on both how to harness the natural resources to combat the public health issues associated with oil exploration and the mitigation and remediation of the environment. This endeavor will create a waste-to-wealth program that will pacify the restiveness in oil exploring communities. It will be interesting to know that in the same environment that breeds the elephant-in-the-parlor lies the natural antidotes to check-mate the public health malady.

Comparison of plant growth and remediation potential of pyrochar and thermal desorption for crude oil-contaminated soils

Crude oil contamination is a serious environmental threat for soil and plants growing in it. This study provides the first experimental evidence for comparison of the efficacy of pyrochar (slow pyrolysis biochar), thermal desorption and their combined application for degradation of crude oil contaminated soil (0%, 10%, and 20%), and growth of lettuce under glasshouse conditions. Pyrochar was produced by pyrolysis of sawdust at 350 °C, whereas thermal desorption was done by soil pyrolysis at 500 °C. Soil incubations were done for 120 days. The results of soil analysis showed that the crude oil degradation efficiency for the combined application was highest (40%), whereas pyrochar and thermal desorption was 25% and 19.6%, respectively. The maximum degradation products of crude oil were manifested by the detection of low molecular weight hydrocarbons (ranged between 173 and 422) in the soil with combined application treatment using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Crude oil contamination significantly reduced the germination and growth of the lettuce plants. Similarly, the combined application also improved plant growth by an increase of 24% in germination percentage, 35.5% in seedling vigor index, and 27% in promptness index under 20% crude oil contamination. Remediation caused a significant increase in fresh and dry biomass (40%), leaf area (30%), total chlorophyll (21%), water potential (23.6%), osmotic potential (27%), and membrane stability index (40%). Moreover, there was an increase in the contents of proline (32%), total amino acids (29%), soluble sugars (37%), proteins (27%), and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (19%), catalase (33%) and peroxidase (38%). This study confirmed the efficacy of pyrochar (slow pyrolysis biochar), thermal desorption, and their combined application for crude oil decontamination of soil at laboratory scale and also in improving soil usability by improved germination and growth of lettuce.

Investigation of Bacillus licheniformis in the biodegradation of Iranian heavy crude oil: A two-stage sequential approach containing factor-screening and optimization

Oil pollution is a serious international concern due to its harmful effect on human health and the environment. This study aims to investigate the effective factors on the biodegradation of Iranian heavy crude oil by Bacillus licheniformis. For this purpose, oil removal from the artificial seawater was studied by response surface methodology (RSM). After the screening experiments, pH (4-10), NaCl concentration (0-10 g/L), and oil concentration (500-4500 ppm) were selected as influential factors. Moreover, to evaluate the bacterial capability in bioremediation of an actual polluted site, crude oil spill with a salinity of 35 g/L was experimentally simulated. The proposed model in this study clearly shows that both selected individual factors and their interactions are significantly effective on the crude oil biodegradation capacity. The results showed that Bacillus licheniformis was able to degrade crude oil at different concentrations of oil, especially at low concentrations, which are challenging in actual polluted sites. 15%-66% removal was achieved for 500-4500 ppm of crude oil after 14 days. Furthermore, according to the obtained results, this bacterium can tolerate the salinity up to 3.5%. At this salinity level, crude oil removal was 23.43 and 25.64% in neutral and alkaline conditions, respectively. Process factors were optimized, and 54.8% of crude oil was removed at optimum conditions i.e., 3500 ppm crude oil concentration, 2.5 g/L of NaCl and pH equal to 8.5. Finally, it can be concluded that the selected bacterium of this study can be more effective in harsh environments such as hypersaline and alkaline conditions.

Synergistic effects of compost, cow bile and bacterial culture on bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated drill mud waste

Bioremediation has gained global prominence as an effective method for treating hydrocarbon-contaminated drill mud waste (HCDW). However, the problem of low nutrient content, bioavailability and microbial presence remain largely unresolved. In this study, the synergistic effects of compost, cow bile and bacterial culture on the degradation rate of HCDW was investigated. A homogenized HCDW sample (80 kg) obtained from 25 different drill mud tanks was divided into 20 portions (4 kg each) and each adjusted to 1.4% nitrogen content + 20 ml cow bile (i.e., basic treatment). Pure cultures of Brevibacterium casei (Bc) and Bacillus zhangzhouensi (Bz) and their mixture (BcBz) were subsequently added to 12 of the amended HCDW (basic) to undergo a 6-week incubation. A portion of the unamended HCDW (2 kg) was used as control. Initial pH, electrical conductivity and surface tension values of the HCDW were 8.83, 2.34 mS/cm and 36.5 mN/m, respectively. Corresponding values for total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), total nitrogen and total plate count bacteria were 165 g/kg, 0.04% and 4.4 × 10² cfu/ml. The treatments led to a substantial reduction in TPH (p < 0.05) while the control had no significant effect (p > 0.05). TPH reduction after the experimental period occurred in the order: basic + BcBz (99.7%) > basic + Bz (99.5%) > basic + Bc (99.2%) > basic (95.2%) > control (0.06%). Multiple regression analysis revealed significant effect of total plate count, pH, CN ratio and electrical conductivity (R² = 0.87, p = 0.05) on the degradation of TPH in the HCDW. The study demonstrates strong interactive effects of compost, cow bile and bacteria culture on the remediation of HCDW, which can be applied to boost the efficiency of the bioremediation technique.

Unitary and binary remediations by plant and microorganism on refining oil-contaminated soil

Refining oil contaminants are complex and cause serious harm to the environment. Remediation of refining oil-contaminated soil is challenging but has significant impact in China. Two plant species Agropyron fragile (Roth) P. Candargy and Avena sativa L. and one bacterium Bacillus tequilensis ZJ01 were used to investigate their efficiency in remediating the refining oil-polluted soil sampled from an oil field in northern China. The simulated experiments of remediations by A. fragile or A. sativa alone and A. fragile or A. sativa combined with B. tequilensis ZJ01 for 39 days and by B. tequilensis ZJ01 alone for 7 days were performed in the laboratory, with B. tequilensis ZJ01 added before or after the germination of seeds. Seed germination rates and morphological characteristics of the plants, along with the varieties of oil hydrocarbons in the soil, were recorded to reflect the remediation efficiency. The results showed that the contamination was weakened in all experimental groups. A. sativa was more sensitive to the pollutants than A. fragile, and A. fragile was much more resistant to the oil hydrocarbons, especially to aromatic hydrocarbons. Adding B. tequilensis ZJ01 before the germination of seeds could restrain the plant growth while adding after the germination of A. fragile seeds notably improved the remediation efficiency. The degradation rate of oil hydrocarbons by B. tequilensis ZJ01 alone was also considerable. Together, our results suggest that the unitary remediation by B. tequilensis ZJ01 and the binary remediation by A. fragile combined with B. tequilensis ZJ01 added after the germination of seeds are recommended for future in situ remediations.

Emissions of volatile organic compounds from crude oil processing - Global emission inventory and environmental release

Airborne Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to have strong and adverse impacts on human health and the environment by contributing to the formation of tropospheric ozone. VOCs can escape during various stages of crude oil processing, from extraction to refinery, hence the crude oil industry is recognised as one of the major sources of VOC release into the environment. In the last few decades, volatile emissions from crude oil have been investigated either directly by means of laboratory and field-based analyses, or indirectly via emission inventories (EIs) which have been used to develop regulatory and controlling measures in the petroleum industry. There is a vast amount of scattered data in the literature for both regional emissions from crude oil processing and scientific measurements of VOC releases. This paper aims to provide a critical analysis of the overall scale of global emissions of VOCs from all stages of oil processing based on data reported in the literature. The volatile compounds, identified via EIs of the crude oil industry or through direct emissions from oil mass, are collected and analysed to present a global-scale evaluation of type, average concentration and detection frequency of the most prevalent VOCs. We provide a critical analysis on the total averages of VOCs and key pieces of evidence which highlights the necessity of implementing control measures to regulate crude oil volatile emissions (CVEs) in primary steps of extraction-to-refinery pathways of crude oil processing. We have identified knowledge gaps in this field which are of importance to control the release of VOCs from crude oil, independent of oil type, location, operating conditions and metrological parameters.

Co-combustion of coal processing waste, oil refining waste and municipal solid waste: Mechanism, characteristics, emissions

This experimental research studies co-combustion of wet coal processing waste (filter cakes) with typical municipal solid waste (wood, rubber, plastic, cardboard) and used turbine oil, as combustible components of composite liquid fuel. Ignition mechanisms and characteristics of single droplets of three fuel composition groups have been investigated in a motionless heated air with using a high-speed video recording system. Analyzing video frames, a physical model of the process under study was developed. The values of the guaranteed ignition delay times have been determined for three fuel groups with different compositions at the ambient temperature 600-1,000 °C. The minimum values of ignition delay times are about 3 s, the maximum ones are about 25 s. In addition to the established difference in the ignition delay times, the various fuel compositions also differ in combustion temperatures. Maximum values reaching 1,300 °C for compositions with 10% of used oil. It has also been determined that fuels with municipal solid waste are notable for lower nitrogen and sulfur oxide concentrations in flue gases as compared to filter cakes in initial state. Adding used oil to such fuel compositions increases the anthropogenic emissions but these worsening environmental characteristics do not exceed the regulated allowable limits of pollutants for solid fossil fuel combustion by thermal power plants. The obtained results are the backbone for the development of an environmentally friendly, cost- and energy-efficient co-combustion technology for municipal solid waste recovery by burning it as part of composite fuels, e.g., in boiler furnaces instead of coal.

Unburnable and Unleakable Carbon in Western Amazon: Using VIIRS Nightfire Data to Map Gas Flaring and Policy Compliance in the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve

In the Amazon Rainforest, a unique post-carbon plan to mitigate global warming and to protect the exceptional bio-cultural diversity was experimented in 2007–2013 by the Ecuadorian government. To preserve the rainforest ecosystems within the Yasuní-ITT oil block, the release of 410 million metric tons of CO2 would have been avoided. The neologism “yasunization” emerged as an Amazonian narrative on “unburnable carbon” to be replicated worldwide. Considering the unburnable carbon, petroleum-associated gas flaring represents the unleakable part. Flaring is an irrational practice that consists of burning waste gases, representing not only a leak of energy but also a pollution source. The general aim of the paper is to monitor gas flaring as a tool, revealing, at the same time, the implementation of environmental technologies in the oil sector and the compliance of sustainable policies in the Amazon region and the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve. Specific objectives are: (i) identifying and estimating gas flaring over seven years (2012–2018); (ii) mapping new flaring sites; iii) estimating potentially affected areas among ecosystems and local communities. We processed National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Nightfire annual dataset, based on the elaboration of imagery from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and developed a GIS-based novel simple method to identify new flaring sites from daily detections. We found that 23.5% of gas flaring sites and 18.4% of volumes of all oil industries operating in Ecuador are located within the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve (YBR). Moreover, we detected 34 additional flaring sites not included in the NOAA dataset—12 in the YBR and one in Tiputini field, a key area for biological and cultural diversity conservation. We also found that at least 10 indigenous communities, 18 populated centers and 10 schools are located in the potentially affected area. Gas flaring can be used as a policy indicator to monitor the implementation of sustainable development practices in complex territories.

Drinking water quality in areas impacted by oil activities in Ecuador: Associated health risks and social perception of human exposure

The unregulated oil exploitation in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon Region (NEAR), mainly from 1964 to the 90's, led to toxic compounds largely released into the environment. A large majority of people living in the Amazon region have no access to drinking water distribution systems and collects water from rain, wells or small streams. The concentrations of major ions, trace elements, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes) were analyzed in different water sources to evaluate the impacts of oil extraction and refining. Samples were taken from the NEAR and around the main refinery of the country (Esmeraldas Oil Refinery/State Oil Company of Ecuador) and were compared with domestic waters from the Southern region, not affected by petroleum activities. In most of the samples, microbiological analysis revealed a high level of coliforms representing significant health risks. All measured chemical compounds in waters were in line with national and international guidelines, except for manganese, zinc and aluminum. In several deep-water wells, close to oil camps, toluene concentrations were higher than the natural background while PAHs concentrations never exceeded individually 2 ng·L^-1. Water ingestion represented 99% of the total exposure pathways for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic elements (mainly zinc) in adults and children, while 20% to 49% of the Total Cancer Risk was caused by arsenic concentrations. The health index (HI) indicates acceptable chronic effects for domestic use according the US-EPA thresholds. Nevertheless, these limits do not consider the cocktail effects of metallic and organic compounds. Furthermore, they do not include the social determinants of human exposure, such as socio-economic living conditions or vulnerability. Most (72%) of interviewed families knew sanitary risks but a discrepancy was observed between knowledge and action: religious beliefs, cultural patterns, information sources, experience and emotions play an important role front to exposure.

Effective incineration of fuel-waste slurries from several related industries

This study is based on the analysis of a set of industrial sectors (coal processing, wood processing, transport, oil, and water treatment) in order to identify the amount and type of combustible waste suitable for incineration. The main ignition and combustion parameters of these wastes have been experimentally obtained from their direct individual incineration in the original form and as part of a slurry based on wastewater. It has been established that a set of parameters allow waste-derived fuel mixtures to compete with coal dust and fuel oil with an environmental advantage. In particular, the concentration of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the combustion products of all the tested slurries is 1.5-3 times as low as that of coal dust. Most of the wastes in question do not provide such advantages when burnt individually. We have assessed the fire safety of fuel mixtures and analyzed the prospects of mass waste incineration technologies. The calculations show that about 14-20% of coal and oil can be saved annually by extensively involving industrial waste in the energy sector. The experimental results obtained are the basis for the development of useful technologies for the safe and efficient combustion of waste from different industries.

Progress in ultrasonic oil-contaminated sand cleaning: a fundamental review

Steady efforts in using ultrasonic energy to treat oil-contaminated sand started in the early 2000s until today, although pilot studies on the area can be traced to even earlier dates. Owing to the unique characteristics of the acoustic means, the separation of oil from sand has been showing good results in laboratories. This review provides the compilation of researches and insights into the mechanism of separation thus far. Related topics in the areas of oil-contaminated sand characterizations, fundamental ultrasonic cleaning, and cavitation effects are also addressed. Nevertheless, many of the documented works are only at laboratory or pilot-scale level, and the comprehensive interaction between ultrasonic parameters towards cleaning efficiencies may not have been fully unveiled. Gaps and opportunities are also presented at the end of this article.

In vivo solid-phase microextraction sampling combined with metabolomics and toxicological studies for the non-lethal monitoring of the exposome in fish tissue

Various environmental studies have employed the biomonitoring of fish in their aquatic ecosystems in order to identify potential metabolic responses to the exposome. In this study, we applied in vivo solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to perform non-lethal sampling on the muscle tissue of living fish to extract toxicants and various endogenous metabolites. Sixty white suckers (Catastomus commersonii) were sampled from sites upstream, adjacent, and downstream from the oil sands development region of the Athabasca River (Alberta, Canada) in order to track their biochemical responses to potential contaminants. In vivo SPME sampling facilitated the extraction of a wide range of endogenous metabolites, mainly related to lipid metabolism. The obtained results revealed significant changes in the levels of numerous metabolites, including eicosanoids, linoleic acids, and fat-soluble vitamins, in fish sampled in different areas of the river, thus demonstrating SPME's applicability for the direct monitoring of exposure to different environmental toxicants. In addition, several classes of toxins, including petroleum-related compounds, that can cause serious physiological impairment were tentatively identified in the extracts. In vivo SPME, combined with the analysis of contaminants and endogenous metabolites, provided important information about the exposome; as such, this approach represents a potentially powerful and non-lethal tool for identifying the mechanisms that produce altered metabolic pathways in response to the mixtures of different environmental pollutants.

An Exploratory Study on the Effect of Petroleum Hydrocarbon on Soils Using Hyperspectral Longwave Infrared Imagery

Manmade crude oil contamination, which has negative impacts on the environment and human health, can be found in various ecosystems all over the globe. Hyperspectral remote sensing (HRS) is an efficient tool to investigate this crude oil contamination where its electromagnetic spectrum is analyzed. This exploratory study used an innovative HRS imagery sensor to study the effect of petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC), found in crude oil, on the spectrum of soils across the longwave infrared (LWIR 8–12 μm) spectral region. This contrasts with previous studies that focused on shortwave and midwave infrared (SWIR 1–2.5 and MWIR 3–8 μm, respectively) regions. An outdoor HRS image of three different types of soils, contaminated with 11 PHC concentrations, was processed and analyzed. Since PHC is spectrally featureless in the LWIR region, the analysis focused on the spectral alteration of the dominant minerals in the soils. Good evaluation metrics of R2 > 0.83 and a root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) between 1.06 and 1.33 wt % showed that the PHC level can be predicted with relatively good accuracy, even without direct spectral features of crude oil PHC, using an airborne LWIR camera in field conditions. This study can be used as a proof of concept for future airborne remote sensing of PHC-contaminated soils.

Facile Fabrication of Magnetic, Durable and Superhydrophobic Cotton for Efficient Oil/Water Separation

In this paper, we present a facile and efficient strategy for the fabrication of magnetic, durable, and superhydrophobic cotton for oil/water separation. The superhydrophobic cotton functionalized with Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles was prepared via the in situ coprecipitation of Fe2+/Fe3+ ions under ammonia solution on cotton fabrics using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a coupling agent and hydrophobic treatment with tridecafluorooctyl triethoxysilane (FAS) in sequence. The as-prepared cotton demonstrated excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 155.6° ± 1.2° and good magnetic responsiveness. Under the control of the external magnetic field, the cotton fabrics could be easily controlled to absorb the oil from water as oil absorbents, showing high oil/water separation efficiency, even in hot water. Moreover, the cotton demonstrated remarkable mechanical durable properties, being strongly friction-resistant against sandpaper and finger wipe, while maintaining its water repellency. This study developed a novel and efficient strategy for the construction of magnetic, durable, and superhydrophobic biomass-based adsorbent for oil/water separation, which can be easily scaled up for practical oil absorption.

Bioremediation of Polluted Soil Sites with Crude Oil Hydrocarbons Using Carrot Peel Waste

The biostimulation potentials of carrot peel waste and carob kibbles for bioremediation of crude petroleum-oil polluted soil were investigated. Temperature, pH, moisture, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH), and changes in microbial counts during 45 days were monitored when 4 mL of carrot peel waste or carob kibbles media were added to 200 g of crude oil polluted soil samples. Gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was used to compare hydrocarbon present in the crude oil polluted soil and in pure fuel, composition of crude oil polluted soil was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the TPH was measured by distillation using distiller mud. The results showed that, at the end of experiments, the concentration of TPH decreased in crude oil polluted soil containing carrot peel waste with a percentage of 27 ± 1.90% followed by crude oil polluted soil containing carob kibbles (34 ± 1.80%) and in the unamended control soil (36 ± 1.27%), respectively. The log [Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/g] of total heterotrophic bacteria in the crude oil polluted soil increased from 10.46 ± 0.91 to 13.26 ± 0.84 for carrot peel waste, from 11.01 ± 0.56 to 11.99 ± 0.77 for carob kibbles and from 8.18 ± 0.39 to 8.84 ± 0.84 for control, respectively. Such results demonstrated that carrot peel could be used to enhance activities of the microbial hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria during bioremediation of crude petroleum-oil polluted soil.