Impacts of the Petrochemical Industries on Groundwater Quality
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1
Department of Environmental Engineering, Al-Huson University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Huson, Irbid, Jordan
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Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ajloun National University, P.O. Box 43, Ajloun 26810, Jordan
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Department of Nutrition and Food Processing, Al-Huson University College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al-Huson, Irbid, Jordan
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Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
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Mechanical Engineering Department, Al-Huson University College, Al-Balqa’ Applied University, P.O. Box 50, Al-Huson 19117, Irbid, Jordan
J. Ecol. Eng. 2024; 25(8):286-299
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ABSTRACT
Global interest in groundwater resource management is significant, with petrochemical industrialization identified as a potential source of groundwater pollution. Petrochemical industrial processes cause significant impacts on groundwater quality through the discharging of highly contaminated waste with oil and chemicals. This study aims to determine the impact of the heavy petrochemical industrial city of Jubail Saudi Arabia on groundwater quality and identify special sources of pollution using a statistical approach. Samples from 47 groundwater wells were collected and analyzed for 23 indicators, mainly chlorinated hydrocarbons, 1,1-olefin hydrocarbons, vinyl chlorides, 1,1,2-trichloroethylene and chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethylene, chlorobenzene, and benzene. The results were compared with permissible standard limits to identify the level of exceedance. The results showed an exceedance in the concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons, total petroleum hydrocarbons, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1-trichloroethane, and vinyl chloride more than ten times above the permissible limits of these concentrations. The study revealed the high impact of the petrochemical industries on groundwater quality. Since the current monitoring program depends only on annual sampling of groundwater, there has been a recommendation to install an online groundwater monitoring system to conserve water quality and achieve sustainable management.