Field reconnaissance and estimation of petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metal contents of soils affected by the Ebocha-8 oil spillage in Niger Delta, Nigeria

Field reconnaissance of the Ebocha-8 oil spill-affected site at Obiobi/Obrikom in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was carried out to assess the extent of damage to the terrestrial ecosystem and delimit the epicenter of oil spillage. Following three successive reconnaissance surveys, the area to be sampled was delimited (200 x 200 m2), and soil samples were collected using the grid method from three replicate quadrats at two depths, surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm). A geographically similar area located 50 m adjacent to the oil-polluted area was used as a reference (control) site. Total hydrocarbon content (THC) and heavy metal concentrations were later determined in the laboratory by extraction and spetrophotemetric techniques. Generally, the THC of soils at surface and subsurface depths of the oil-polluted plots was 2.06 x 10(4) +/- 4.97 x 10(3) mg/kg and 1.67 x 10(3) +/- 3.61 x 10(2) mg/kg soil, respectively, (no overlap in standard errors at 95% confidence limit) while concentrations of heavy metals(Pb, Cd, V, Cu and Ni) were enhanced, especially at the surface. The high levels of THC and heavy metals may predispose the site, which hitherto served as arable agricultural land, to impaired fertility and possible conflagration. When concentrations of heavy metals reach the levels obtained in this study, they may become toxic to plants or possibly bio-accumulate, thus leading to toxic reactions along the food chain. While the spilled-oil may have contributed to the enhanced levels of the metals in the affected soils, physico-chemical properties of the soils, mobility of metals, and the intense rainfall and flooding that preceded the period of study may have also contributed in part to their enhanced concentrations. The presence of high hydrocarbon content may cause oxygen deprivation, which may result in the death of soil fauna by asphyxiation. There is, therefore, an urgent need to clear the affected site of these excess hydrocarbon deposits so as to enhance the rehabilitation process of the affected mat layer of soils. Other appropriate mitigating measures, such as subsequent monitoring of hydrocarbon levels at suitable intervals after the clean up activities, are also recommended, with reference to the findings of this study, for effective management of the affected area.     

The evolution of flame length for the oil tank fire with different top cover widths and lip heights

This study presents a quantitative analysis and interpretation of the variation in oil tank fire flame lengths for different oil tank sizes, top cover widths, and horizontal air flow velocities. The experimental results show that, at first, the flame length rises slowly with an increase in air flow speed. Then, once over a critical speed (0.6 m/s), the flame length decreases significantly with a further increase in air flow speed. Based on the characteristic length, a new dimensionless heat release rate is obtained, allowing the correlation between flame length, air flow speed, and dimensionless heat release rate to be calculated, which can be used to predict the flame length of an oil tank fire under different air flow speeds, lip heights, and cover widths.     

Feeding of western gray whales during a seismic survey near Sakhalin Island, Russia

Exxon Neftegas Limited, as operator of the Sakhalin-1 consortium, is developing oil and gas reserves on the continental shelf off northeast Sakhalin Island, Russia. DalMorNefteGeofizika (DMNG) on behalf of the Sakhalin-1 consortium conducted a 3-D seismic survey of the Odoptu license area during 17 August–9 September 2001. A portion of the primary feeding area of the endangered western gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is located in the vicinity of the seismic survey. This paper presents data to assess whether western gray whale bottom feeding activity, as indicated by visible mud plumes, was affected by seismic operations. The mitigation and monitoring program associated with the seismic survey included aerial surveys during 19 July–19 November 2001. These aerial surveys documented the local and regional distribution, abundance, and bottom feeding activity of western gray whales. Data on gray whale feeding activity before, during and after the seismic survey were collected, with the whales assumed to be feeding on the benthos if mud plumes were observed on the surface. The data were used to assess the influence of seismic survey and other factors (including environmental) on feeding activity of western gray whales. A stepwise multiple regression analysis failed to find a statistically significant effect (α = 0.05) of the seismic survey on frequency of occurrence of mud plumes of western gray whales used as a proxy to evaluate bottom feeding activity in Piltun feeding area. The regression indicated that transect number (a proxy for water depth, related to distance from shore) and swell height (a proxy for sea state) were the only variables that had a significant effect on frequency of whale mud plumes. It is concluded that the 2001 seismic survey had no measurable effect (α = 0.05) on bottom feeding activity of western gray whales off Sakhalin Island. M.W. Newcomer, deceased     

The significance of futures trading in minerals and oil

Futures trading has been introduced for aluminium and oil in recent years and the range of contracts available on various minerals and oil products continues to widen. Concern has been expressed by producers of a number of minerals, including nickel and platinum, that the introduction of futures trading may introduce a speculative element to price determination that will create inappropriate or excessively volatile prices. It is the purpose of this article to analyse the role of futures trading in relation to trade in underlying commodities in general and especially for trade in minerals and oil. Evidence from oil and platinum markets, in particular, is adduced and examined in the light of earlier evidence of the influence of futures trading on underlying commodities. The contribution of futures trading is examined in detail and conclusions are reached on the significance of futures trading for minerals and oil.     

油品火灾扬沸前兆现象的实验研究

本文研究典型油品扬沸前兆期的火行为。应用火焰显示技术观察扬沸前兆期的火焰结构；测量扬沸过程中油、水层的温度——时间历程；在时域、频域上分析扬沸前兆的微爆噪声特性；并在原理上提出诊断，预报油品火灾扬沸发生的新途径。     

海面溢油处理技术的分析与选择

海上溢油会对生态环境造成破坏。根据溢油扩展的动力学过程，对溢油处理方法进行分析，选择适合的处理方法并对不同类型溢油分散剂的性能进行分析，提出应用建议。     

我国石油炼制企业清洁生产措施分析

石油炼制工业是我国重要的能源和化工原料生产产业。随着生产负荷的提高，加工深度增加，原料变重变差，石油炼制工业的环境保护压力越来越大。针对石油炼制工业的生产特点，分析其污染源、污染治理现状以及目前存在的一些问题，提出了我国石油炼制企业的清洁生产措施。     

清洁生产与炼油污水回用

该文分析了福建炼化公司炼油污水现状，提出炼油污水回用的可能方式，并进行了初步探讨。     

带翼斜板设备处理石油污水的研究

在多层斜极分离设备的斜板下方安装一系列与料板垂直的翼板，构成了带翼斜板设备。把该设备用于石油污水的脱油处理，研究发现其具有较高的脱油效率和脱油深度。在进口含油浓度介于200～600mg／L之间，停留时间27.6min，平均脱油效率可达93．8％，出口平均含油浓度为1．8mg／L，粒径大于40μm的油滴基本均可脱除。文中还对进口含油浓度在300～400mg／L之间的出口含油浓度与表面负荷率的关系进行了论述。