Spatial variability and solubility of barium in a petroleum well-drilling waste disposal area

Abstract

The petroleum industry generates a range of wastes which is often are disposed in soil close to the well location, negatively affecting soil and water quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the solubility and map the spatial variability of barium in a potentially contaminated area. The study area consisted of a petroleum well-drilling waste disposal site located in the municipality of Mato Rico-PR. A large georeferenced sampling grid was organized. Soil samples were collected at depths of 30, 60, 90, and 120 cm for determination of the "pseudo-total" concentrations and geochemical fractionation of barium. The barium concentrations showed spatial dependence, which permitted the use of geostatistical interpolators. Regarding depth, the depth of 0-30 cm showed the largest contaminated area; however, higher concentrations of barium were found at the depth of 60-90 cm. The results of geochemical fractionation showed that the analyzed samples contained percentages higher than 99% in the non-labile fraction (residual). These results indicate clearly that the barium was in a condition of low solubility, even for samples that had the highest concentrations, presenting low-environmental risk.

Quality of surface water and generation of sludge at water treatment plants

“…Barium, aluminum, iron and manganese were detected and suggest that care must be taken regarding the handling and destination of the sludge from WTPs. The presence of aluminum, iron and manganese in sludge from WTPs was reported in sludge that used the same coagulants adopted by WTPs 1 and 2; however, in the present study, the concentrations of aluminum verified were significantly lower than the minimal reference reported in literature (Turner et al, 2019;Wolowiec et al, 2019;Do Amaral Sobrinho et al, 2018). The excessive concentration of barium in the solubilized sludge from WTP 2 is also worth mentioning, since this element, when soluble, can cause harmful effects to human health (ATSDR, 2007).…”