Potential hazards associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in weathered crude oil from Kuwait's oil lakes

Levels of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and benz(a)pyrene in weathered crude oil from Kuwait's north (Raudhatain#l and Sabriya#5) and central (Magwa#l and Magwa#11) oil lakes were determined. The average levels of phenanthrene showed the highest values in all lakes (35.65–88.50 mg/kg). The average benz(a)pyrene levels ranged between 1.19 and 10.48 mg/kg. The average levels of fluoranthene ranged between 3.85 and 22.7 mg/kg. The highest average level of pyrene was 27.38 mg/kg. During the period September 1992 ‐ June 1993, the average rate of change in phenanthrene levels (n=4) was negative (‐0.72 mg/kg. month) indicating a decrease in its levels; whereas the average rate of change in benz(a)pyrene levels was positive (+0.34 mg/kg.month) and exhibited the highest increase among all investigated PAH levels. Based on quantitative carcinogenic classifications, the average level of benz(a)pyrene in weathered crude oil collected in June 1993 poses approximately 3 and 26 times the carcinogenic equivelancy of pyrene and fluoranthene levels, respectively.