ASSESSING TEMPERATURE INFLUENCE ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND CRUDE OIL DEGRADATION RATE IN WATER ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

Understanding the effect of temperature on crude oil degradation is critical for optimizing remediation strategies in 
aquatic environments. This study investigates how temperature variation impacts physicochemical parameters and 
biodegradation time in crude oil contaminated freshwater and saltwater systems using a controlled batch reactor 
design. Experimental reactors containing crude oil contaminated environment subjected to a temperature range of 15
120 °C and monitored over varying contact periods. Key physicochemical parameters analyzed included total 
dissolved solids (TDS), conductivity, total hardness (TH), chloride, alkalinity, sulphate, pH, nitrate, turbidity, oil and 
grease (OAG) and dissolved oxygen (DO).  Conductivity generally declined with prolonged contact time, while TH 
showed a continuous decline, suggesting mineral precipitation and consumption during microbial activity. pH 
decreased progressively with temperature rise, which is consistent with increased microbial metabolic byproducts. 
Nitrate concentration declined in both systems, indicating its utilization as a nutrient source for microbial degradation. 
Overall, crude oil degradation occurred faster in saltwater compared to freshwater, attributed to ionic strength and 
better microbial adaptation. These findings highlight that temperature and contact time are critical determinants of 
degradation kinetics, making them essential considerations for designing in-situ and ex-situ remediation systems.