Determination of Some Volatile Organic Compounds in the water produced at Al-Ahdab oilfield in the Governorate of Wasit, Iraq using Headspace SPE-GC-FID

The study was conducted over the period of Oct 2018 to Apr 2019 and is aimed for the detection and estimation of four hazardous Volatile Organic Compounds VOC (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) so-called (BTEX) in samples collected from the produced water in the Al-Ahdab oil field in Iraq also to track their availability in the important natural water sources around the field. These compounds pose a risk to human health as well as environment. To avoid the laborious and tiresome conventional extraction methods, water samples were collected and concentrated using solid-phase extraction technique (SPE) which is a robust and cost-effective method of sample extraction with minimal exposure and handling of solvents and then to be analyzed via a gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). All of the collected samples were found contaminated with the BTEX compounds by unacceptable limits exceeding the recommended percentages. BTEX compounds were also found in the aquatic samples outside the field. Standard deviation (SD) was ranging from 0.01-0.73. The purpose of this study was to track and monitor the BTEX concentrations in the water produced by the Al-Ahdab oilfield and compare it with the BTEX levels in the water sources near the oilfield. Which is very important to control the impact of the discharged waters on the environment.