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Organic fractions and their environmental implications of petroleum contaminated groundwater. |
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Abstract The hydrogeochemitry at a petroleum contaminated site was systematically studied to understand the fractional compositions and their environmental indications of oil contamination in groundwater. The GC-MS scanning for saturated hydrocarbon fractions and the corresponding biomarkers of the groundwater samples were determined at various spatial and temporal scales. The average TPH was 4.75mg/L. Alkanes(65.6% of TPH), aromatic, esters, aldehydes, alcohols were all detected in groundwater changing along with groundwater flow. There was a reduction of Alkanes from 70.05% to 57.72%, Aromatic from 14.56% to 10.58% and an enrichment of the microbial degradation products from 15.39% to 31.72%. An anaerobic reductive environment was indicated by the low value of Pr/Ph, ranging between 0.73 and 1.27. The ratios of Pr/C17 (ranging between 0.42 and 1.51) and Ph/C18 (ranging between 0.61 and 1.30) indicated extensive biodegradation. The total bacteria number was positively correlated to non-alkanes, Pr/C17 and Ph/C18 ratios; higher ratios demonstrated a more extensive biodegradation. The organic fractions were also influenced by seasons in temperature variation.
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Received: 12 October 2012
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