Assessment of Hydrocarbon Concentrations in Groundwater Surrounding Produced-Water Collection Ponds at the Nafoura Field
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65420/sjphrt.v2i4.197Keywords:
Groundwater, Hydrocarbons, Produced Water, Collection Ponds, Nafoura Oil Field, Benzene, Toluene, XyleneAbstract
This study evaluates the concentrations of selected hydrocarbon compounds—specifically benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTEX)—in groundwater wells surrounding produced-water collection ponds at the Nafoura oil field, Libya. Given the potential risks of petroleum activities on water resources in arid regions, ten groundwater samples were collected at varying distances from the collection ponds. The samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). The results revealed high concentrations of benzene (ranging from 1.10 to 2.90 ppm), toluene (1.10 to 1.90 ppm), and xylene (3.20 to 4.80 ppm), significantly exceeding permissible international environmental limits (p < 0.001). One-sample t-tests and Pearson correlation analyses confirmed a strong positive correlation among the hydrocarbons, indicating a shared pollution source linked to the unlined collection ponds. The findings underscore the critical need for regular groundwater monitoring, proper produced-water treatment, and effective environmental protection measures to safeguard aquifers in oil-producing regions.
References
[1] الفيومي، ر. ح. (2022). التلوث النفطي في مناطق الإنتاج وتأثيره على الموارد المائية. دار الفكر الجامعي.
[2] ماخوس، ر. ن. (2022). الانعكاسات البيئية والاقتصادية لإنتاج النفط في الدول النامية. المركز الإقليمي للدراسات البيئية والتنموية.
[3] محمود، أ. ك. (2017). تأثير التلوث النفطي على خصائص التربة والنظم البيئية في المناطق الصناعية. دار الفكر الجامعي.
[4] المثناني، ع. م. (2007). القوانين والتشريعات البيئية في ليبيا ودورها في حماية الموارد الطبيعية. الهيئة العامة للبيئة.
[5] محمد، خ. أ. (2022). التأثيرات البيئية للتلوث النفطي في مناطق الهلال النفطي الليبي: دراسة حالة حقل النافورة [رسالة ماجستير غير منشور]. جامعة بنغازي.
[6] المقلبي، م. ر. (2018). تحليل التلوث النفطي في المياه الجوفية ودراسة انتشار الهيدروكربونات العطرية. المركز العربي للبحوث البيئية.
[7] منذر، ج. ع. (2022). الانعكاسات الاقتصادية للتلوث البيئي في الدول النفطية. المركز العربي للدراسات الاقتصادية.
[8] الموسوي، ح. س.، ومصطفى، ك. م. (2019). التلوث النفطي البري وتأثيره في التربة والمياه الجوفية. دار الرافدين العلمية.
المراجع الأجنبية (References)
[9] Abdala, B. A. F., Mahommed, A. M., Arqeeq, M. A. M., Aljazwei, H. A. A., Baroud, A. A., & Salem, M. O. A. (2025). Towards Environmental Sustainability: A Comprehensive Review of Electrochemical Methods for Remediating Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil and Water. Libyan Journal of Ecological & Environmental Sciences and Technology (LJEEST), 7(2), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.63359/qrhp5b40
[10] Al-Hasan, R. H., Al-Dhafeeri, Z. M., & Al-Shemmari, H. S. (2018). Assessment of BTX contamination in groundwater near petroleum spill sites in Kuwait. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(3), 2764–2775.
[11] APHA, AWWA, & WEF. (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (23rd ed.). American Public Health Association.
[12] Eldrwish, N., & Alatresh, K ,. (2026). Assessment of the Impact of the Desalination Plant at the Libyan Iron and Steel Company in Misrata on TDS, EC, and pH Levels in the Surrounding Marine Environment. Al-Imad Journal of Humanities and Applied Sciences (AJHAS), 2(2), 425-431. https://doi.org/10.64943/ajhas.2026.020232
[13] Eldrwish. N., (2025). A study evaluating the efficiency of the desalination plant at the Libyan Iron and Steel Company, Misurata, in salt rejection. Scientific Journal for Publishing in Health Research and Technology, 1(2), 342-348. https://doi.org/10.65420/sjphrt.v1i2.59
[14] Mahommed, A. M., Abdala, B. A. F., Arqeeq, M. A. M., Aljazwei, H. A. A., Salem, M. O. A., & Ajdid, A. S. M. (2025). Advances and Challenges in Biochar Application for Soil Amendment and Water Retention. Afro-Asian Journal of Scientific Research (AAJSR), 3(3), 82–87.
[15] Rahman, M. A., Al-Mutairi, N., & Khan, A. R. (2020). Hydrocarbon pollution in groundwater near oilfields in arid regions of Saudi Arabia: Sources, impacts, and remediation strategies. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13(18), 1–15.
[16] Rostami, S., Karimi, S., & Rahmani, H. (2021). Spatial distribution and correlation of BTEX compounds in groundwater influenced by oil industry activities. Journal of Environmental Management, 284, 112052.
[17] Salem, I. A. S., Khalil, R. A. A., & Salem, M. O. A. (2025). Chemical Safety of Dairy Products: A Review Study on the Dynamics of Lead and Cadmium Accumulation. Scientific Journal for Publishing in Health Research and Technology, 241–256.
[18] Salem, M. O. A., Abdalah, B. A. F., & Mohamed, A. M. (2024). Synergistic impact of olive waste on some soil properties: A comprehensive review. Archives of Agriculture Sciences Journal, 7(3), 23–29.
[19] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (1995). Method 524.2: Measurement of purgeable organic compounds in water by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. U.S. EPA.
[20] Youssef, A. M., & Mahmoud, S. A. (2021). Impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on groundwater quality in oil-producing areas of North Africa. Environmental Earth Sciences, 80(2), 112–126.
[21] Zhu, J., & Zhang, X. (2018). Distribution and risk assessment of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in groundwater of industrial areas. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(19), 18777–18788.
