Experience on the environmental and hygienic assessment of water pollution in the territories referred to oil refining and petrochemical complexes

Abstract

Introduction. Wastewater contaminated with oil, demulsifiers, hydrogen sulfide, ammonium sulfide, phenol, sulfates, aromatic hydrocarbons, alkali, fatty acids, various solutes, etc. is formed at oil refining and petrochemical enterprises. Runoff entering surface and underground water sources can harm water quality, sanitary conditions of life, and water use of the population. Taking this into account, further improvement of scientific approaches to ensure the safety of water bodies that are sources of drinking and recreational use, assessment, and prevention of public health risks caused by water factors is of particular importance. Material and methods. To assess the degree of influence of industrial enterprises on the quality of water sources, we studied the sanitary condition of the Belaya River and its tributaries, as well as underground water lying in the area of oil refining and petrochemical industries. The analysis of the water quality of surface and underground water sources according to the data of laboratory studies of departmental laboratories; the results of scientific and practical research and publications on the studied problem for 1999-2019. Results. Materials of observation data show that wastewater from changes of industrial enterprises the sanitary condition of surface reservoirs: there is a decrease in the content of ammonium nitrogen and biological oxygen consumption indices and a significant increase in the content of nitrates, chlorides, sulfates, and petroleum products. Surface water sources are characterized by unfavorable organoleptic characteristics, high organic pollution, and the presence of specific compounds (petroleum products, surfactants, alpha-methylstyrol, benzene, toluene, isopropylbenzene, and hydrogen sulfide) in concentrations higher than their hygiene regulations. Underground waters located on the territories of the main industrial complexes are characterized by high mineralization, extremely high hardness, high content of iron, nitrates, and petroleum products. Conclusion. Refineries and petrochemicals affect the pollution of surface and underground water sources. The water quality of the surveyed water bodies does not meet sanitary and hygienic standards. The priority indices of the influence of the enterprises of branch on water bodies include organoleptic indices of organic pollution indices of total salts composition of water, the content of specific ingredients: oil, benzene, toluene, isopropyl, alpha-methyl styrene, xylene, cresol, kerosene, gasoline, fuel oil, ethylene, propylene, 3,4-benzo(a)pyrene, phenols (volatile), methyl mercaptan, nonionic and anion-active surfactants, biological oxygen consumption indices and others. The research made it possible to assess the level of pollution of water bodies located in the zone of industrial enterprises and develop measures to reduce the man-made impact on the environment and public health.