Measurement of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in the plume of Kuwait oil well fires

Technical Report · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/82480· OSTI ID:82480

Olsen, K B; Wright, C W; Veverka, C ^[1]; Ball, J C ^[2]; Stevens, R ^[3]

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1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
2. Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI (United States). Scientific Research Lab.
3. US Environmental Protection Agency (United States). Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Lab.

Following their retreat from Kuwait during February and March of 1991, the Iraqi Army set fire to over 500 oil wells dispersed throughout the Kuwait oil fields. During the period of sampling from July to August 1991, it was estimated that between 3.29 {times} 10{sup 6} barrels per day of crude oil were combusted. The resulting fires produced several plumes of black and white smoke that coalesced to form a composite ``super`` plume. Because these fires were uncontrolled, significant quantities of organic materials were dispersed into the atmosphere and drifted throughout the Middle East. The organic particulants associated with the plume of the oil well fires had a potential to be rich in polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds. Based on the extreme mutagenic and carcinogenic activities of PAHs found in laboratory testing, a serious health threat to the population of that region potentially existed. Furthermore, the Kuwait oil fire plumes represented a unique opportunity to study the atmospheric chemistry associated with PAHs in the plume. If samples were collected near the plume source and from the plume many kilometers downwind from the source, comparisons could be made to better understand atmospheric reactions associated with particle-bound and gas-phase PAHs. To help answer health-related concerns and to better understand the fate and transport of PAHs in an atmospheric environment, a sampling and analysis program was developed.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 82480
• Report Number(s): PNL--10454; ON: DE95008897; CRN: C/PNL--010
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COMBUSTION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FIRES
OIL WELLS
PLUMES
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
QUALITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SAMPLING