ASSESSMENT OF THE CHANGES IN THE CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION OF THE CRUDE-OIL SPILLED IN THE KUWAIT DESERT AFTER WEATHERING FOR 5 YEARS

The changes in the chemical composition of oil, weathered for five yea rs in Kuwait oil lakes, were investigated. The oil samples were collec ted from the oil lakes, both in southern and northern oil fields. Thes e changes were compared with those reported previously for the first 2 1 months of weathering for the oil samples from the same lakes. The re sults indicate that the asphaltene content of the oil remaining in the lakes or lake beds increased considerably. Saturates, for which a con siderable loss was recorded in the first 21 months, increased over the last 39 months of weathering. On the other hand, the aromatic fractio n of the oil decreased in most of the samples. The percentage of resin s in the samples continued to increase steadily. Polycyclic aromatic h ydrocarbons were also determined in all of the samples. In general, th e concentration and overall composition did not change significantly. However, the higher (PAHs) did increase in their concentration. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science Ltd.