Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Overview of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) are one of the common contaminants in the environment. They include a broad family of several hundred hydrocarbon compounds that originally come from crude oil which is used to make petroleum products. The widespread use of crude oil and other petroleum products for transportation, heating, and industry leads to the release of these petroleum products into the environment through long-term leakage, accidental spills, or operational failures. Since there are so many different chemicals in crude oil and other petroleum products, it is not practical to measure each one separately. However, it is useful to measure the amount of TPHs at a contaminated site. The TPHs include both volatile and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (VPHs and EPHs) encompassing the gasoline range organics (>C6–C10), diesel range organics (>C11–C28), and oil range organics (C29–C35). Gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuels, jet fuels, Stoddard solvent, mineral-based motor oils, fuel oils No. 5 and 6, hexane, benzene, toluene, xylenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are the important chemicals that constitute TPHs. These chemicals have carbon ranges between ≥C5 and ≤C35. Detailed information about each of these chemicals included in TPHs is presented in this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abioye PO, Aziz AA, Agamuthu P (2010) Enhanced biodegradation of used engine oil in soil amended with organic wastes. Water Air Soil Pollut 209:173–179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Achuba FI, Peretiemo-Clarke BO (2008) Effect of spent engine oil on soil catalase and dehydrogenase activities. Int Agrophys 22:1–4

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aluyor EO, Ori-Jesu M (2009) Biodegradation of mineral oils – a review. Afr J Biotechnol 8:915–920

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amanda K (2018) Oil and gas – investing news: top 10 oil-producing countries. https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/energy-investing/oil-and-gas-investing/top-oil-producing-countries/. Accessed 18 April 2019.

  • Anderson JE, Kim BR, Mueller SA, Lofton TV (2003) Composition and analysis of mineral oils and other organic compounds in metalworking and hydraulic fluids. Crit Rev Enviton Sci Technol 33:73–109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andress HJ, ExxonMobil Oil Corp (1960) Stabilized fuel oil containing tertiary alkyl primary amines. US Patent 294574

    Google Scholar 

  • ASTDR (2018) Gasoline, automotive. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR), US. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstanceasp?toxid=83. Accessed April 2019

    Google Scholar 

  • ATSDR (1997) Toxicology profile for used mineral base crankcase oil. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR), US. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp102.pdf. Accessed April 2019

  • ATSDR (2011) Stoddard solvent. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR), US. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstanceasp?toxid=73. Accessed April 2019

  • Bacha J, Freel J, Gibbs A, Gibbs L, Hemighaus G, Hoekman K, Horn J, Gibbs A, Ingham M, Jossens L, Kohler D, Lesnini D, McGeehan J, Nikanjam M, Olsen E, Organ R, Scott B, Sztenderowicz M, Tiedemann A, Walker C, Lind J, Jones J, Scott D, Mills JG (2007) Diesel fuels technical review. Chevron Corporation, US. https://www.fuelsinstitute.org/FuelQualityCouncil/ResearchArticles/Diesel-Fuels-Technical-Review.pdf. Accessed April 2019

  • Bardi L, Mattei A, Steffan S, Marzona M (2000) Hydrocarbon degradation by a soil microbial population with β-cyclodextrin as surfactant to enhance bioavailability. Enzyme Microb Technol 27:709–713

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes FE, Hemighaus G, Scott WR, Chevron USA Inc (2004) Aviation gasoline containing reduced amounts of tetraethyl lead. US Patent 6767372

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackmore DR, Thomas A (1977) Fuel economy of the gasoline engine: fuel, lubricant and other effects. Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, pp 1–268

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Blaisdell RA, Smallwood ME (1993) Evaluation of the total petroleum hydrocarbon standard for cleanup of petroleum contaminated sites. Air Force Institute of Technology, US, pp 1–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Brewer R, Nagashima J, Kelley M, Heskett M, Rigby M (2013) Risk-based evaluation of total petroleum hydrocarbons in vapor intrusion studies. Int J Environ Res Public Health 10:2441–2467

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Caprotti R, Fava CS, Jackson G, More I, Infineum International Ltd (2009) Additives and fuel oil compositions. US Patent 7597725

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter CP, Kinkead ER, Geary DL Jr, Sullivan LJ, King JM (1975) Petroleum hydrocarbon toxicity studies: III. Animal and human response to vapors of Stoddard solvent. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 32:282–297

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Da Silva ML, Alvarez PJ (2002) Effects of ethanol versus MTBE on benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene natural attenuation in aquifer columns. J Environ Eng 128:862–867

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Da Silva R, Cataluna R, de Menezes EW, Samios D, Piatnicki CMS (2005) Effect of additives on the antiknock properties and Reid vapor pressure of gasoline. Fuel 84:951–959

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deeb RA, Alvarez-Cohen L (2000) Aerobic biotransformation of gasoline aromatics in multicomponent mixtures. Biorem J 4:171–179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DHS (1994) Technical bulletin – health effects information. Department of Human Services, Office of Environmental Public Health, Portland, pp 1–4

    Google Scholar 

  • Dioha IJ, Ikeme CH, Tijjam N, Dioha EC (2012) Comparative studies of ethanol and kerosene fuels and cook stove performance. J Nat Sci Res 2:34–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Dominguez-Rosado E, Pichtel J, Coughlin M (2004) Phytoremediation of soil contaminated with used motor oil: I. enhanced microbial activities from laboratory and growth chamber studies. Environ Eng Sci 21:157–168

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duarte-Davidson R, Courage C, Rushton L, Levy L (2001) Benzene in the environment: an assessment of the potential risks to the health of the population. Occup Environ Med 58:2–13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards T (2011) Jet fuel composition. Jet fuel toxicology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 21–26

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards T, Maurice LQ (2001) Surrogate mixtures to represent complex aviation and rocket fuels. J Propuls Power 17:461–466

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farrell-Jones J (2003) Petroleum hydrocarbons and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. In: Thompson CK, Nathanail PC (eds) Chemical analysis of contaminated land. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 132–176

    Google Scholar 

  • Freedman B (1995) Environmental ecology: the ecological effects of pollution, disturbance, and other stresses. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 162–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorman JW (1982) Fuel additive. US Patent 4330304

    Google Scholar 

  • Gürü M, Karakaya U, Altıparmak D, Alıcılar A (2002) Improvement of diesel fuel properties by using additives. Energ Conver Manage 43:1021–1025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart P, Meyer E, Calvert N, GE Betz Inc (2004) Stabilizer blends for alcohol in hydrocarbon fuel. US Patent Application 10/451939

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewstone RK (1994) Health, safety and environmental aspects of used crankcase lubricating oils. Sci Total Environ 156:255–268

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu CS, Robinson PR (2007) Practical advances in petroleum processing. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin, pp 551–553

    Google Scholar 

  • Irwin RJ (1997) Environmental contaminants encyclopaedia fuel oil number 5 entry, National Park Service, Fort Collins

    Google Scholar 

  • ITOPF (2018) International tanker owners pollution federation – oil tanker spill statistics 2018. https://www.itopf.org/knowledge-resources/data-statistics/statistics/. Accessed 18 April 2019

  • Jordan FL (2007) Method and composition for using organic, plant-derived, oil-extracted materials in gasoline additives for reduced emissions. US Patent 7160339

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumari N, Vashishtha A, Saini P, Menghani E (2013) Isolation, identification and characterization of oil degrading bacteria isolated from the contaminated sites of Barmer, Rajasthan. Int J Biotechnol Bioeng Res 4:429–436

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuppusamy S, Thavamani P, Megharaj M, Lee YB, Naidu R (2016a) Kinetics of PAH degradation by a new acid-metal-tolerant Trabulsiella isolated from the MGP site soil and identification of its potential to fix nitrogen and solubilize phosphorous. J Hazard Mater 307:99–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuppusamy S, Thavamani P, Megharaj M, Naidu R (2016b) Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by novel bacterial consortia tolerant to diverse physical settings – assessments in liquid-and slurry-phase systems. Int Biodeter Biodegr 108:149–157

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuppusamy S, Thavamani P, Venkateswarlu K, Lee YB, Naidu R, Megharaj M (2017) Remediation approaches for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soils: technological constraints, emerging trends and future directions. Chemosphere 168:944–968

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Zhao Y, Peng S, Zhou Q, Ma LQ (2010) Temporal and spatial trends of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the seawater of Bohai Bay, China from 1996 to 2005. Mar Pollut Bull 60:238–243

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Little JC, West JP, Dow Chemical Co (1969) Gasoline containing anti-icing additive. US Patent 3440029

    Google Scholar 

  • Littlejohns JV, Daugulis AJ (2008) Kinetics and interactions of BTEX compounds during degradation by a bacterial consortium. Process Biochem 43:1068–1076

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Losikov BV, Traktovenko IA (1967) Additives to diesel fuels. Chem Tech Fuels Oil 3:71–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maurice LQ, Lander H, Edwards T, Harrison Iii WE (2001) Advanced aviation fuels: a look ahead via a historical perspective. Fuel 80:747–756

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh P (2014) Bioremediation and phytoremediation systems for breaking down total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in contaminated sandy soil. University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, pp 1–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Mckee RH, Adenuga MD, Carrillo JC (2015) Characterization of the toxicological hazards of hydrocarbon solvents. Crit Rev Toxicol 45:273–365

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Megharaj M, Singleton I, McClure NC, Naidu R (2000) Influence of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination on microalgae and microbial activities in a long-term contaminated soil. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 38:439–445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moreton DJ, Stevenson PR, Thetford D, Vilardo JS, Lubrizol Corp (2008) Quaternary ammonium salt of a polyalkene-substituted amine compound. US Patent Application 11/557986

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadim F, Zack P, Hoag GE, Liu S (2001) United States experience with gasoline additives. Energy Policy 29:1–5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakazato M, Iwamoto S, Hirano S, Chevron Oronite Co LLC (2003) Lubricating oil composition. US Patent 6569818

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen GD, Lund SP, Ladefoged O (2006) Neurological effects of white spirit: contribution of animal studies during a 30-year period. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 98:115–123

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NRC (1996) Physical and chemical properties of military fuels. Permissible exposure levels for selected military fuel vapors. National Research Council (NRC), Washington, DC, pp 13–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Obini U, Okafor CO, Afiukwa JN (2013) Determination of levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil contaminated with spent motor engine oil in Abakaliki auto-mechanic village. J Appl Sci Environ Manag 17:169–175

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phenix A (2007) Generic hydrocarbon solvents: a guide to nomenclature. Western Assoc Art Conserv Newslett 29:13–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinedo J, Ibañez R, Irabien A (2012) Risk assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) fractions. Chem Eng Transact 28:61–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinedo J, Ibanez R, Lijzen JPA, Irabien A (2013) Assessment of soil pollution based on total petroleum hydrocarbons and individual oil substances. J Environ Manage 130:72–79

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rad HD, Babaei AA, Goudarzi G, Angali KA, Ramezani Z, Mohammadi MM (2014) Levels and sources of BTEX in ambient air of Ahvaz metropolitan city. Air Qual Atmos Health 7:515–524

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro NM, Pinto AC, Quintella CM, da Rocha GO, Teixeira LS, Guarieiro LL, do Carmo Rangel M, Veloso MC, Rezende MJ, Serpa da Cruz R, de Oliveira AM (2007) The role of additives for diesel and diesel blended (ethanol or biodiesel) fuels: a review. Energy Fuel 21:2433–2445

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie GD, Still KR, Alexander WK, Nordholm AF, Wilson CL, Rossi J, Mattie DR (2001) A review of the neurotoxicity risk of selected hydrocarbon fuels. J Toxicol Environ Health B 4:223–312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie G, Still K, Rossi Iii J, Bekkedal M, Bobb A, Arfsten D (2003) Biological and health effects of exposure to kerosene-based jet fuels and performance additives. J Toxicol Environ Health B 6:357–451

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rudnick LR (2005) Synthetics, mineral oils, and bio-based lubricants: chemistry and technology. CRC press, New York, pp 1–256

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sabbah H, Morrow AL, Pomerantz AE, Zare RN (2011) Evidence for island structures as the dominant architecture of asphaltenes. Energy Fuel 25:1597–1604

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sadler R, Connell D (2003) Analytical methods for the determination of total petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. In: Langley A, Gilbey M, Kennedy B (eds) Proceedings of the fifth national workshop on the assessment of site contamination. National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC), Australia, pp 133–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafer L, Striebich R, Gomach J, Edwards T (2006) Chemical class composition of commercial jet fuels and other specialty kerosene fuels. In: 14th AIAA/AHI space planes and hypersonic systems and technologies conference, Australia, 7972 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Song C, Hsu CS, Mochida I (2000) Chemistry of diesel fuels. Taylor & Francis, New York, pp 1–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Speight JG (2011a) The refinery of the future. Gulf Professional Publishing, Elsevier, Oxford, 32 p

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Speight JG (2011b) Production, properties and environmental impact of hydrocarbon fuel conversion. In: Advances in clean hydrocarbon fuel processing. Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, pp 54–82

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Speight JG (2014) The chemistry and technology of petroleum. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, pp 1–953

    Google Scholar 

  • Speight JG (2015) Handbook of petroleum product analysis. Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey, pp 1–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Stacey NH, Winder C (2004) Toxicity of organic solvents – occupational toxicology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, pp 364–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Suppes GJ, Dasari MA (2003) Synthesis and evaluation of alkyl nitrates from triglycerides as cetane improvers. Ind Eng Chem Res 42:5042–5053

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SE (2008) Component interactions in jet fuels: fuel system icing inhibitor additive. Energy Fuel 22:2396–2404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ţigănuș D, Coatu V, Lazăr L, Oros A (2016) Present level of petroleum hydrocarbons in seawater associated with offshore exploration activities from the Romanian Black Sea sector. Cercetări Marine 46:98–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd DG, Chessin RL, Colman J (1999) Toxicological profile for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). US Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, pp 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Turki AJ (2016) Distribution and sources of aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of Al-Arbaeen Lagoon, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. J Fish Livest Prod 4:173

    Google Scholar 

  • Vataru M, Schenach TA, Wynn Oil Co (1987) Gasoline additive composition. US Patent 4684373

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma D, Rana BS, Kumar R, Sibi MG, Sinha AK (2015) Diesel and aviation kerosene with desired aromatics from hydroprocessing of jatropha oil over hydrogenation catalysts supported on hierarchical mesoporous SAPO-11. Appl Catal A 490:108–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vermont (2017) Soil screening levels for total petroleum hydrocarbons. Department of Environmental Conservation, State of Vermont, pp 1–3

    Google Scholar 

  • Violi A, Yan S, Eddings EG, Sarofim AF, Granata S, Faravelli T, Ranzi E (2002) Experimental formulation and kinetic model for JP-8 surrogate mixtures. Combust Sci Technol 174:399–417

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waynick JA (2001) The development and use of metal deactivators in the petroleum industry: a review. Energy Fuel 15:1325–1340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Webb E, Moon J, Dyrszka L, Rodriguez B, Cox C, Patisaul H, London E (2018) Neurodevelopmental and neurological effects of chemicals associated with unconventional oil and natural gas operations and their potential effects on infants and children. Rev Environ Health 33:3–29

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • White RD (1999) Refining and blending of aviation turbine fuels. Drug Chem Toxicol 22:143–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams SD, Ladd DE, Farmer J (2006) Fate and transport of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and ground water at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee and Kentucky, 2002-2003. US, pp 7–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright BE, GE Betz Inc (1992) Methods for stabilizing gasoline mixtures. US Patent 5169410

    Google Scholar 

  • Xixia LJSWCS, Rui L (2004) The application of T1502 anti-static additive in Daqing No. 3 jet fuel. Refining Chemicals 1:001

    Google Scholar 

  • Yücesu HS, Sozen A, Topgül T, Arcaklioğlu E (2007) Comparative study of mathematical and experimental analysis of spark ignition engine performance used ethanol–gasoline blend fuel. Appl Therm Eng 27:358–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Zhang C, Cheng Z, Yao Y, Chen J (2013) Biodegradation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene by the bacterium Mycobacterium cosmeticum BYF-4. Chemosphere 90:1340–1347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou R, Qin X, Peng S, Deng S (2014) Total petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in the surface sediments of Bohai Bay, China: long-term variations in pollution status and adverse biological risk. Mar Pollut Bull 83:290–297

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

    Saranya Kuppusamy

  2. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud y Departamento de investigación, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador

    Naga Raju Maddela

  3. Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia

    Mallavarapu Megharaj

  4. Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Kadiyala Venkateswarlu

Authors
  1. Saranya Kuppusamy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Naga Raju Maddela
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mallavarapu Megharaj
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kadiyala Venkateswarlu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Kuppusamy, S., Maddela, N.R., Megharaj, M., Venkateswarlu, K. (2020). An Overview of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons. In: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24035-6_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation