Evaluation of Oil and Grease Contamination of Euphrates River during 2010-2011

Abstract

The environmental impact of most releases of petroleum wastes would be minimal if the wastes remained at their points of release. However, wastes can migrate away from a release point by a number of pathways. The present study was conducted on Al Manatherah river in Al Manatherah city in the aim of studying the contamination levels of oil and grease, with some water quality parameters (NO₃, pH, T.U., Cl,) and selected climatic parameters (precipitated dust particles,  temperature, dust storm, and rain) were depended. Samples of raw water were collected and analyzed from Al Manatherah river station during a period of fifteen months, starting from October 2010 to December 2011. The purpose is to assess the level of parameters measured and their effects on the river. Statistical analysis used to describe the relations between oil and grease and the other parameters and a regression analysis was performed by "Data Fit" program version 8.0 Software. This study showed that discharging domestic sewage and industrial waste water from adjacent areas, caused oil and grease contamination of levels more than Iraqi standard limits in 64 times .The highest values of oil and grease recorded in heavy rainy months impacted by runoff from land, the second highest values of oil and grease occurred in May. Finally, oil and grease levels, also increased according to precipitated dust particles, and dust storm which will lead to use more amounts of oil and grease due to different activities, followed by discharging of polluted waters to sewers or into river directly.

Keywords: oil and grease, nitrate, hydrogen Ion, turbidity, chloride, precipitated dust particles, regression models.