Potential hazards associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in weathered crude oil from Kuwait's oil lakes

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10934529409376146· OSTI ID:6844502

Al-Yakoob, S N; Saeed, T ^[1]

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1. Kuwait Inst. of Scientific Research, Safat (Kuwait)

Levels of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benz(a)pyrene in weathered crude oil from Kuwait's north (Raudhatain 1 and Sabriya 5) and central (Magwa 1 and Magwa 11) oil lakes were determined. The average levels of phenanthrene showed the highest values in all lakes (35.65-88.50 mg/kg). The average benz(a)pyrene levels ranged between 1.19 and 10.48 mg/kg. The average levels of fluoranthene ranged between 3.85 and 22.7 mg/kg. The highest average level of pyrene was 27.38 mg/kg. During the period September 1992 - June 1993, the average rate of change in phenanthrene levels (n=4) was negative ([minus]0.72 mg/kg month) indicating a decrease in its levels; whereas the average rate of change in benz(a)pyrene levels was positive (+0.34 mg/kg month) and exhibited the highest increase among all investigated PAH levels. Based on quantitative carcinogenic classifications, the average level of benz(a)pyrene in weathered crude oil collected in June 1993 poses approximately 3 and 26 times the carcinogenic equivalency of pyrene and fluoranthene levels, respectively. 15 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6844502
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering; (United States), Vol. 29:9; ISSN 0360-1226
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BENZOPYRENE
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
LAND POLLUTION
MONITORING
OIL SPILLS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
PETROLEUM
WEATHERING
PHENANTHRENE
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HEALTH HAZARDS
PYRENE
CARCINOGENS
KUWAIT
ARAB COUNTRIES
AROMATICS
ASIA
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HAZARDS
HYDROCARBONS
MIDDLE EAST
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects
540120 - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
540320 - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)