Effects of water produced by oil segment on aquatic organisms after treatment using advanced oxidative processes

ABSTRACT

The water produced (PW) by the petroleum industry is a potential contaminant to aquatic biota, due to its complex mixture that may contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organic chemical compounds, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX), metals and other components that are known to be toxic. The aim of this investigation was to examine the acute toxicity produced by a PW sample in aquatic organisms Vibrio fischeri and Daphnia similis prior to and after 4 treatments using advanced oxidative processes such as photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis, ozonation and photoelectrocatalytic ozonation. Data demonstrated that exposure to PW was toxic to both organisms, as evidenced by reduced luminescence in bacterium Vibrio fischeri and induced immobility in Daphnia similis. After treatment of PW with 4 different techniques, the PW remained toxic for both tested organisms. However, photoelectrocatalysis was more efficient in decreasing toxicity attributed to PW sample. Therefore, data demonstrate the importance of treating PW for later disposal in the environment in order to mitigate ecotoxicological impacts. Further photoelectrocatalysis appeared to be a promising tool for treating PW samples prior to disposal and exposure of aquatic ecosystems.

KEYWORDS:

• Daphnia similis
• Vibrio fischeri
• petroleum extraction
• produced water
• toxicity
• advanced oxidative processes

Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP: 2018/01010-3; 2019/03940-0; 2014/50945-4), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq: 465571/2014-0) and Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel - Brazil (CAPES: Financing Code 001).

Disclosure statement

This article does not necessarily reflect the views of CETESB and no official endorsement should be inferred.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the CAPES [Financing Code 001,Finnancial Code - 001]; CNPq [465571/2014-0]; São Paulo Research Foundation [2014/50945-4,2018/01010-3; 2019/03940-0].