Groundwater Contamination by Petroleum Hydrocarbons Due to Leakages of Fuel Stations Tanks in Fezzan Region, Libya

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the petroleum hydrocarbon pollution of groundwater in wells nearby fuel stations due to leakages from their tanks in Fezzan region, southern Libya. The results showed that the petroleum hydrocarbon levels in well water samples in the area ranged between 0–127.4 mg/l. Data revealed that some wells were not contaminated such as the wells located eastern, southern & western of Tamazawa-Alshatti station, the wells southern & western of Murzuq station, eastern of Tessawa-Murzuq station, northern & southern of Bent Bayya-Wadi Alajal station and northern & southern Germa- Wadi Alajal fuel station. Other wells were below the allowable concentrations (34 mg/l), where 5 & 29 mg/l were recorded south and southern east El-Speatat-Murzuq fuel station, respectively. Within the wells that exceeded the lowest limits were a well eastern El-Speatat (35 mg/l) and a well western of Hagara-Sebha (99.6 mg/l) fuel station. Other wells were considered as heavily polluted sites, i.e., the well in northern east Hagara fuel station (118.8 mg/l) and the most contaminated well located east of Godua-Sebha fuel station (127.4 mg/l). For the levels of hydrocarbons in the fuel stations' wastewater, data showed that their values ranged between 20–254 mg/l. The highest concentration was recorded in Garagra-Wadi Alajal station and the lowest was in Alabyad-Wadi Alajal fuel station. The number of carbons distribution results among the wells showed that Garagra fuel station contains (C14-C19) which represents diesel and oils. In Hagara, kerosene, diesel, oils, and grease were found (C15-C25). Kerosene (C12-C15) is mostly found in El-Speatat, while the highest mixture recorded was in Tamazawa, i.e., diesel, Kerosene, oils, grease & wax (C13-C26).