scholarly journals Monitoring coastal pollution associated with the largest oil refinery complex of Venezuela

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo Croquer ◽  
David Bone ◽  
Carolina Bastidas ◽  
Ruth Ramos ◽  
Elia García
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Inorganic Compounds ◽  
Oil Refinery ◽  
Coastal Pollution ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Oil Refineries ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
The North ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
The Impact

This study evaluated pollution levels in water and sediments of Península de Paraguaná and related these levels with benthic macrofauna along a coastal area where the largest Venezuelan oil refineries have operated over the past 60 years. For this, the concentration of heavy metals, of hydrocarbon compounds and the community structure of the macrobenthos were examined at 20 sites distributed along 40 km of coastline for six consecutive years, which included windy and calm seasons. The spatial variability of organic and inorganic compounds showed considerably high coastal pollution along the study area, across both years and seasons. The southern sites, closest to the refineries, had consistently higher concentrations of heavy metals and organic compounds in water and sediments when compared to those in the north. The benthic community was dominated by polychaetes at all sites, seasons and years, and their abundance and distribution were significantly correlated with physical and chemical characteristics of the sediments. Sites close to the oil refineries were consistently dominated by families known to tolerate xenobiotics, such as Capitellidae and Spionidae. The results from this study highlight the importance of continuing long-term environmental monitoring programs to assess the impact of effluent discharge and spill events from the oil refineries that operate in the western coast of Paraguaná, Venezuela.

scholarly journals Association of temporary Environmental Protection Agency regulation suspension with industrial economic viability and local air quality in California, United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Chang ◽  
Kenneth Zhang ◽  
Margaret Paczkowski ◽  
Sara Kohler ◽  
Marco Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Treatment Control ◽  
Oil Refineries ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background This study seeks to answer two questions about the impacts of the 2020 Environmental Protection Agency’s enforcement regulation rollbacks: is this suspension bolstering the economic viability of industries as oil and manufacturing executives claim they will and are these regulations upholding the agency’s mission of protecting the environment? Results To answer the former question, we utilized 6 months of state employment level data from California, United States, as a method of gauging the economic health of agency-regulated industries. We implemented a machine learning model to predict weekly employment data and a t-test to indicate any significant changes in employment. We found that, following California's state-issued stay-at-home order and the agency’s regulation suspension, oil and certain manufacturing industries had statistically significant lower employment values. To answer the latter question, we used 10 years of PM2.5 levels in California, United States, as a metric for local air quality and treatment–control county pairs to isolate the impact of regulation rollbacks from the impacts of the state lockdown. Using the agency’s data, we performed a t-test to determine whether treatment–control county pairs experienced a significant change in PM2.5 levels. Even with the statewide lockdown—a measure we hypothesized would correlate with decreased mobility and pollution levels—in place, counties with oil refineries experienced the same air pollution levels when compared to historical data averaged from the years 2009 to 2019. Conclusions In contrast to the expectation that the suspension would improve the financial health of the oil and manufacturing industry, we can conclude that these industries are not witnessing economic growth with the suspension and state shutdown in place. Additionally, counties with oil refineries could be taking advantage of these rollbacks to continue emitting the same amount of PM2.5, in spite of state lockdowns. For these reasons, we ask international policymakers to reconsider the suspension of enforcement regulations as these actions do not fulfill their initial expectations. We recommend the creation and maintenance of pollution control and prevention programs that develop emission baselines, mandate the construction of pollution databases, and update records of pollution emissions.

scholarly journals Research into ecological status and the degree of heavy metal concentration in the waters of the Drenica river (Kosovo)

2021 ◽  
pp. 89-95
Author(s):  
M Sadiku ◽  
S Kadriu ◽  
M Kelmendi ◽  
D Ibishi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentration ◽  
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ◽  
River Pollution ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Lignite Mining ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
The Impact

Purpose. To reflect the impact of discharge waters from the ferronickel smelter and surface lignite mining on the pollution of the Drenica River with heavy metals. According to our estimation, the effect of mining on the river pollution is undeniable. Methodology. The standard methods ISO 5667-6, ISO 5667-11, and ISO 5667-1.3 were used to determine the physical and chemical parameters of the Drenica River surface water. The EPA-3015A method was applied for sample preparation, while the AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry) measurement technique was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals. Standard ISO methods were applied for determining the following parameters: pH, DO, BOD5, COD, NNH4, NO3-, TN, PO4P, and TP. Findings. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the levels of heavy metals in the river Drenica have exceeded the allowed values as a result of industrial activities. Originality. The paper supplies new additional information on the ecological status of the Drenica River, based on samples taken along the river, especially where the greatest impact of the ferronickel smelter and surface lignite mining could be. The problematic of this research is quite contemporary; river pollution affects the life chain. Practical value. We believe that the content and problems in the focus of the research are topical and present significant interest to all those who deal with environmental issues.

scholarly journals Arribazones de Sargassum en la costa norte occidental de Cuba

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-30
Author(s):  
G. Arencibia-Carballo ◽  
J.M. Irañeta Batallán ◽  
J. Morell ◽  
A.R. Moreira González
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Caribbean Sea ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Tidal Zone ◽  
The North ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
The Impact

The pelagic macroalgae finches of the Sargassum genus in the Caribbean Sea currently represent a very natural problem due to their negative impact on the tourism industry, fishing industry, the environment and society in general. This work presents an above report of Sargassum that occurred on the north western coast of the Cuban archipelago in March 2019. The macroalgae species identified in the tidal zone were Sargassum fluitans and S. natans, and the specific geographic area where the impact of the upheaval occurred was from the west of Matan-zas bay to Mariel bay. The finches of these macroalgae were cataloged with a moderate magnitude compared to other reports in the Mexican Caribbean and in the Dominican Republic. This order of magnitude was cataloged based on its covered area of 169.3 km and its distribution along the coast in large patches, but very fragmented, despite the prevailing winds from the first quadrant (from north to east) during this period. Other events of this type reported in Cuba and the Caribbean region are taken up and discussed. Keywords: Caribbean Sea, Sargassum fluitans, Sargassum natans, Cuba.

Transport and Water Quality Modelling in the Southern North Sea in Relation to Coastal Pollution Research and Control

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 245-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. van Pagee ◽  
H. Gerritsen ◽  
W P. M. de Ruijter
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Coastal Zone ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Coastal Pollution ◽  
The North ◽  
Pollution Research ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
And Control

Mathematical modelling techniques are used to quantify the transport in the southern part of the North Sea of pollutants originating from various inputs. Special attention was given to the anthropogenic increase in local concentrations of nutrients (N, P) and heavy metals (Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr) and their potential impact on marine organisms. A depth-averaged hydrodynamic model is used to calculate tidal and wind driven velocities and water levels. By averaging, residual flows are calculated, forming the basis for advective transports in a water quality model. Dispersive transports are derived from a comparison of simulated and observed salinity distributions. Water mass distributions and age functions for various inflowing water types are determined with the model. Transports of nutrients and heavy metals in the southern part of the North Sea are calculated using annual pollution inputs for 1980. Although interactions with bottom sediments are not considered, the calculated and measured concentrations show good similarities. The water quality in the Dutch coastal zone and German Bight area is shown to be highly determined by local pollution loads from the rivers Rhine, Weser and Elbe respectively. Comparison of simulated concentrations for 1980 with those resulting from simulations with estimated natural river inputs, shows that more than 50% of nutrients and heavy metal concentrations originate from human activities in large coastal zone areas. From toxicological information and standards, it is concluded that Cd, Hg and Cu are substances that need special attention in pollution research and control for the Dutch coastal waters.

scholarly journals Mining Activities and the Chemical Composition of R. Modonkul, Transbaikalia

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 979
Author(s):  
Zinaida Ivanovna Khazheeva ◽  
Aleksey Maksimovich Plyusnin ◽  
Olga Konstantinovna Smirnova ◽  
Elena Georgievna Peryazeva ◽  
Dashima Ivanovna Zhambalova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Manganese Oxides ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Catchment Basin ◽  
Industry Waste ◽  
Major Cations ◽  
Calcium Magnesium ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
The Impact

The Dzhidinsky orefield is located in the Zakamensky district of Buryatia. It is characterized by a high concentration of mineralization in a small area. The ores of the Dzhidinsky economic deposits are complex. This ore field includes Pervomaiskoye Mo, Kholtosonskoe W, and Inkurskoe W deposits. The catchment basin of the river Modonkul is located in the Dzhidinsky orefield. Mineral resource industry waste is a real threat to the city Zakamensk. Currently, the waste of deposits is located at the floodplain terrace and the watershed of the river Modonkul. In this work, the impact of the drainage mine and tributary Inkur on the formation chemical composition of the river Modonkul is studied. The 80 samples of water and suspended matter were taken from a surface of 0–0.5 m on seven sites. Physical and chemical parameters were measured at the sampling sites, and chemical composition was analyzed in the laboratory. In the natural background of the river, the major cations are, in decreasing order, Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ + K+, and major anions are, also in decreasing order, HCO3− > SO42− > Cl−. Along the river, the chemical type of water changes from bicarbonate to sulfate across the sulfate-bicarbonate or bicarbonate-sulfate class and from calcium-magnesium across sodium-calcium-magnesium reverse calcium-magnesium group. Total dissolved solids (TDS) increase by a factor of 4.0–4.7 between the upper and mouth of the river. The dissolved and suspended loads were studied in the mixing zone of acid mine and river water. The different hydrochemistry characteristics may result from Fe, Al, and Mn hydroxide precipitation. The pH values and dissolved oxygen cycles could change the uptake of heavy metals on suspended iron and manganese oxides, and the mechanism of removing it in water. River particulates have the potential of regulating heavy metal inputs to aquatic systems from pollution. The ore elements or the heavy metals are removed from the water in two ways: by the runoff of Modonkul and the sedimentation of suspended material at the bottom. The inflow of mine water into the Modonkul river leads to the rare earth elements (REEs) composition with negative cerium and positive europium anomalies.

scholarly journals Aquatic Plants as Bioremediators in Pollution Abatement of Heavy Metals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaltharackal Vikraman Meera ◽  
Manorama Thampatti KC ◽  
Jacob John ◽  
Bhadra Sudha ◽  
Abdulmajeed Sajeena
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Pollution Abatement ◽  
Green Technology ◽  
Pollution Problem ◽  
Specific Affinity ◽  
The Common ◽  
Chemical Inputs ◽  
Physical And Chemical ◽  
The Impact

Over use of chemical inputs and exploitation of natural resources have degraded our ecosystem to a large extent. Our water bodies are drastically affected, especially due to the impact of heavy metal loading. The biomagnification that results from these difficult to degrade metals is naturally affecting the human health. The physical and chemical methods commonly employed for water purification are not only highly expensive but also further aggravate the pollution problem. Hence, all efforts must be taken to exploit the emerging green technology approach in pollution remediation. Several aquatic plants have specific affinity towards heavy metals and they flourish well in this contaminated environment. The common mechanisms of phytoremediation and varied type of aquatic plants with high remediation potential are reviewed in this chapter.

scholarly journals Association of Temporary Environmental Protection Agency Regulation Suspension With Industrial Economic Viability and Local Air Quality in California, United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Chang ◽  
Kenneth Zhang ◽  
Margaret Paczkowski ◽  
Sara Kohler ◽  
Marco Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
T Test ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Treatment Control ◽  
Oil Refineries ◽  
Pollution Levels ◽  
Machine Learning Model ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BackgroundThis study seeks to answer two questions about the impacts of the 2020 Environmental Protection Agency’s enforcement regulation rollbacks: is this suspension bolstering the economic viability of industries as oil and manufacturing executives claim they will and are these regulations upholding the agency’s mission of protecting the environment?ResultsTo answer the former question, we utilized employment levels as a method of gauging the economic health of agency-regulated industries. By implementing a machine learning model to predict employment values weekly and a t-test to indicate any significant changes in employment, we found that most industries, including oil, are economically worse off following California's state-issued stay-at-home order and the agency’s regulation suspension.To answer the latter question, we used PM2.5 levels as a metric for local air quality and isolated the impact of regulation rollbacks from the impacts of the state lockdown with treatment-control county pairs. Using the agency’s database to collect data and performing a t-test to determine whether treatment-control county pairs experienced a significant change in PM2.5 levels, we found that counties with oil refineries continued to experience the same air pollution levels as before, despite the statewide lockdown.ConclusionsFrom our findings, we can conclude that industries are not witnessing economic growth with these guidelines and state shutdown in place. Additionally, counties with oil refineries could be taking advantage of these rollbacks to continue emitting the same amount of PM2.5, in spite of state lockdowns. For these reasons, we ask international policymakers to reconsider the legislation of similar regulations as these policies do not fulfill their expectations.

The impact of oily discharges on the meiobenthos of the North Sea

1987 ◽  
Vol 316 (1181) ◽  
pp. 525-544 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Oil Refinery ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Drilling Mud ◽  
Subtle Change ◽  
The North ◽  
The North Sea ◽  
The Impact

The impact of hydrocarbon discharges on the intertidal and subtidal meiobenthos of the North Sea is examined primarily by a consideration of two field investigations. The first study examines the effects of an oil refinery discharge on intertidal meiofauna in the Firth of Forth, while the second describes the impact of oil platform discharges on the surrounding meiobenthos. The impact of the refinery effluent is only clearly distinguishable upstream of the discharge, as downstream the effects are confused with those of a second petrochemical discharge. The meiofaunal community is only strongly affected on the upper shore and this appears to be chiefly the result of an organic enrichment effect causing a raising of the redox potential discontinuity (RPD) layer. All meiofaunal taxa examined are sharply reduced in density and species richness within 320 m of the discharge but at 600-900 m from the discharge meiofaunal densities are enhanced or depressed, relative to clean sediments, dependent upon the seasonal pattern of the RPD layer. Farther down the shore the impact is only felt at most by a slight reduction in species richness and subtle change in species abundance patterns on the middle shore for a distance of about 600 m. The meiofaunal responses to the petrochemical discharges seem similar to those described for the macrofauna in the same area, although a small meiofaunal population persists in the most polluted sediments in the absence of macrofauna. The discharge of drilling cuttings, contaminated with oil-based drilling mud, was found to strongly modify meiofaunal densities within 800 m of the Beryl A Platform. Nematode densities are strongly reduced in the vicinity of the platform and it is thought that the impact on this infaunal taxon may be due to slow degradation within the sediment of toxic fractions of the diesel base of the drilling mud. By contrast copepod densities were greatly enhanced in one survey and the difference in impact is considered to be due to the epibenthic habit of the species involved, enabling them to flourish in conditions of high food or low predation and competition or all three. The species involved seem typical members of meiofaunal communities of organically enriched sediments. Some improvement in meiofaunal densities throughout the period 1984-85 is thought to be possibly the result of a switch from diesel-based to lowtoxicity drilling muds. It is concluded from these and other studies that hydrocarbon discharges into the North Sea are unlikely to be causing extensive damage to meiofaunal communities.

scholarly journals Hydrocarbon Pollution and Potential Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in the Sediments of the Oturuba Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Clinton Ifeanyichukwu Ezekwe ◽  
Israel Clinton Utong
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Ecological Risk ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Sediment Quality ◽  
Potential Ecological Risk ◽  
Oil Refineries ◽  
Quality Guidelines ◽  
Risk Indices ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study aimed at examining the impact of oil pollution from artisanal oil refineries on the Oturuba river ecosystem using active river bottom sediment. Specific objectives included to determine the level of hydrocarbons and trace metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, V and Mg) in the sediments and to relate this with general ecosystem health. The study found elevated concentrations of both hydrocarbons and heavy metals in the range above most sediment quality guidelines exceeding the respective Threshold Effects Level and Probable Effects. Level guideline values and occurring at levels where impairment to biological communities is certain an d where toxicity levels can lead to negative impacts on benthic animals or infaunal communities. Heavy metal geochemical accumulation index and potential ecological risk analysis also returned anomalously high concentrations in the range of very highly polluted sediment environments with very high ecological risk indices, thereby ranking the Oturuba Creek as one of the most polluted coastal river systems in the world.

The Impact of Industrial Shock Loading on Selected Biocoenoses in the Lower Welland River, Ontario

1980 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Dickman ◽  
J. Smol ◽  
P. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Green Algae ◽  
Shock Loading ◽  
Inorganic Compounds ◽  
Specific Conductivity ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Upstream Site ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
North Shore ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

Abstract A baseline for biological and chemical water quality conditions was established for a section of the Welland River which daily receives large quantities of nitrogenous and carbonaceous inorganic compounds from Cyanamid of Canada Limited. Specific conductivity transects across the river at various locations indicated that the effluents discharged clung to the north shore of the River. In addition, simultaneous continuous conductivity measurements from above and below the plant were made during five one-week long periods and the results temperature corrected. At the upstream site conductivity never exceeded 400 limhos/cm while below the plant it averaged 950 umhos/cm with sporadic peaks exceeding 1 0,000 umhos/cm. Epiphytic diatoms scraped from typha stalks growing in the water at sites above the plant were dominated by Nitzschia dissipata, while the pollution tolerant diatom, Nitzschia palea, dominated at the majority of the downstream sites. In addition, blue green algae replaced filamentous green algae below the plant. Higher aquatic plants reflected a very distinctive zonation pattern. No higher aquatics were found growing in the water in the impact zones immediately below the effluent outfalls. The first macrophytes to appear downstream of these sites were cattails, while further downstream the arrowheads (sagittaria) and later the submersed macrophytes, such as Elodea and Myriophyllum appeared. No resident fish population occurred along the north shore downstream of the plant. Shiners and other small transient fish species which were observed entering the effluent plume near Thompson's Creek during periods of shock loading went "belly-up" within one minute indicating the extreme toxicity of these waters.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document