Survey of crude oil toxicity component removal by adsorbtion with powdered activated carbon

Crude oil is very complex composition with harmful effect in human health, such as carcinogenesis and blood dyscrasia. Because of the entry of relatively high volume of these compounds in aquatic environments, effective controlling is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of powdered activated carbon (PAC) for reducing the toxicity of crude oil in water. Water soluble fraction standard samples were prepared with one part crude oil in 9 part water. For toxicity test, different concentrations of crude oil water soluble fraction in water and larvae of rainbow trout were used. Before and after the addition of 10, 20, 40 and 60 mg/l powdered activated carbon, TOC and bioassay tests were performed. LC50 and evaluation of results was done with probit statistic program. LC50 for samples 24, 48, 96 hrsafter addion of different concentration of PAC were 94.8, 106.6, 117.8, 138.3 and 181.5 mg/l. Values of TOC for these samples was 44.81, 43.88, 38.16, 36.62 and 35.14 mg/l. The use of activated carbon reduced toxicity and TOC. With increase in the concentration of activated carbon, toxicity was decreased, but intensity of TOC removal wasn’t similar to toxicity removal. Using of powdered activated carbon for treatment, in case of accidents and entering crude oil in drinking water supplies, can be considered.