Transformation of petroleum products in the geological environment accompanying changes in their bitumen status

The main problems in geoenvironmental estimation of petroleum product transformations are analyzed with their bitumen status taken into account. A four-zone model is proposed to describe the distribution of oil products, taking into account their transformations in geological environments. A nonequilibrium system of water-rock-petroleum product (as pollutants) interaction is substantiated with the identification of two genetic branches (abiogenic and biogenic), which form the final results of pollution. Formation mechanisms of vertical and horizontal zonalities at environmental petroleum pollution of geological environment are described. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are considered as priority components of pollution. © 2014, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.