IMPACT OF PETROLEUM INDUSTRY IN THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL WATERS FROM KUÇOVA REGION (ALBANIA).

Kuçova region lies on Miocene and Oligocene flysch deposits. This region includes some structural units of the subzone syncline of Permetit, subzone anticline of Berati and the extreme east of the Adriatic depression. The petroleum exploration has detailed geological setting, mainly of the Messinian-Pliocene section, flysch and carbonate deposition of eroded anticline of Kuçova. The hydrographic network is represented by the Devoll river, artificial lakes in the hilly area and a dense network of canals that discharge to the river. In the region of Kuçova, there are four water bearing complexes where the main one is of Quaternary deposits. Hydrogeological interpretations of Kuçova region are based on two results: those carried out earlier and those carried on recently in the context of studies on environmental rehabilitation. Water that comes from the separation of crude oil in the separators has a high content of total dissolved solids (TDS up to 100 g/l). Surface waters and those of the Quaternary deposits are somewhat polluted by the petroleum industry and urban emissions, particularly in the area of the former petroleum refinery. The TDS goes up to 6,363 mg/l, while that of natural water sources and of canals varies in the range 790 mg/l ÷ 1,217 mg/l. The analysis emphasized that natural waters (not those of oil traps) have been polluted by the petroleum industry. Based on the physico-chemical characteristics of natural waters, we came to the conclusion that some water sources (Spring and P-1) should not be used for domestic purposes. The obtained results serve local government structures for the management of hydrological systems, water bearing complexes and rehabilitation of wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]