Identification of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Areas in Groundwater and Determination of Potential Leak Sources

Vaezihir, Abdorreza; Mohammadi, Zahra; Naderi Yengejeh, Vahideh; Tabarmayeh, Mehri

doi:10.22077/jaaq.2025.9197.1108

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Professor in Hydrogeology, Department of Earth Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

² M.Sc. in Hydrogeology, Department of Earth Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

³ Postdoctoral Researcher in Hydrogeology, Department of Earth Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22077/jaaq.2025.9197.1108

Abstract

Industrial units located in refineries pose a serious threat to groundwater resources due to the leakage of petroleum and hydrocarbon pollutants. This study was conducted to assess the extent of contamination, identify the source of leakage, and examine the potential pollution of a nearby rural drinking water well adjacent to one of the country’s refineries. For this purpose, monitoring wells within the refinery, distribution and pipeline storage facilities, and agricultural wells in the village were sampled. Using an oil detector device, parameters such as the thickness of light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) contamination and water table levels were measured over different months. Furthermore, during four sampling phases, the types of dissolved petroleum contaminants present in the aquifer were identified. The findings indicate that the village’s drinking and agricultural wells are free from hydrocarbon contamination. In contrast, three wells within the refinery area showed LNAPL contamination, and twenty-two other wells exhibited dissolved benzene contamination. Based on the pollution distribution maps, eight high-contamination zones were identified in the study area. The results indicate that the primary source of the pollutant leakage is mainly due to failures in the industrial wastewater transfer system (OSW) and associated sumps. Therefore, immediate actions to replace and renovate the OSW system are strongly recommended to mitigate environmental risks.

Keywords

Main Subjects

ًQanat and aquifer

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Identification of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Areas in Groundwater and Determination of Potential Leak Sources

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Volume 6, Issue 1 - Serial Number 10October 2025Pages 181-200

Volume 6, Issue 1 - Serial Number 10
October 2025
Pages 181-200