Petroleum pollution

摘要

This review presents an overview of the unique and complex toxicological challenges posed by the accidental or intentional release of petroleum into the environment. Petroleum has the potential to impact any environment where it is produced, transported, or utilized. Petroleum or crude oil is a complex mixture of thousands of compounds. Due to its complicated composition, its components can elicit multiple toxic effects through multiple routes of exposure in numerous organisms. As a result, its toxicity to individuals and ecosystems is difficult to assess. The marine environment presents as especially complicated and interactive zone for any hazard assessment.The complexity of dealing with the toxicity of mixtures is typified by petroleum pollution in the marine environment. The major sources of petroleum pollution into the marine environment are discussed. The general types of toxic effects that can be expected due to exposure to crude oils and various refined oil products is presented and is followed by some of the most common effects reported in individual species. The environmental fate of oil released into the ocean is also briefly discussed. Finally, the pros and cons of various mitigation methods are overviewed.