Abstract
Diverse components of crude oil and petroleum such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been found in waterways as a result of pollution from industrial effluents and petrochemical products (Beckles, et al., 1998). Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution of the environment may arise from oil well drilling production operations, transportation and storage in the upstream industry, and refining, transportation, and marketing in the downstream industry. Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution could also be from anthropogenic sources (Oberdorster and Cheek, 2000). Some non combusted hydrocarbons escape into the environment during the process of gas flaring. Until recently, the bulk of the associated gas produced during drilling in Nigeria, was flared. Sources of petroleum and its products in the environment will also include accidental spills and from ruptured oil pipelines. Today the international oil and gas-pipelines span several million kilometers and this is growing yearly due to inter-regional trade in petroleum products. Just like any other technical appliance, pipelines are subject to ââtear and wearââ, thus can fail with time (Beller, et al., 1996). Spilled petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment are usually drawn into the soil due to gravity until an impervious horizon is met, for example bedrock, watertight clay or an aquifer.
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Published on 01/01/2012
Volume 2012, 2012
DOI: 10.5772/35873
Licence: Other
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