Emerging Pollutants as Chemical Additives in the Petroleum Industry: A Review of Functional Uses, Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Control Strategies

Limin Wang, Zi Long, Tao Gu, Feng Ju, Huajun Zhen, Hui Luan, Guangli Xiu () and Zhihe Tang ()
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Limin Wang: Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China
Zi Long: Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China
Tao Gu: Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China
Feng Ju: School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
Huajun Zhen: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
Hui Luan: Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China
Guangli Xiu: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
Zhihe Tang: Research Institute of Safety and Environment Technology, China National Petroleum Corporation, Beijing 102206, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-31

Abstract: Emerging pollutants (EPs) associated with the petroleum industry present considerable challenges to environmental management and sustainable development. To support sustainable development and improve the control of EPs in the petroleum industry, this review systematically examines the functional uses of EPs as chemical additives across the entire petroleum supply chain—from extraction and transportation to refining and product blending. It also summarizes the environmental emissions, health impacts, mitigation strategies, and current regulatory frameworks of EPs. In addition, some challenges have been found, namely unclear data on EPs in chemical additives, insufficient attention to high-risk areas, undefined health risks of mixing EPs, lack of green assessment of alternative technologies, and regional policy disparities, which collectively hinder the effective prevention and management ofEPs. In response, we propose future perspectives including enhanced screening and substitution of high-EP-risk additives, development of source-specific fingerprinting techniques, expanded monitoring of mixed contaminants and understudied regions, accelerated deployment of green technologies, and strengthened global cooperation under sustainability-oriented governance frameworks. This study underscores the necessity of integrated, science-based approaches to align petroleum industry practices with global sustainability goals. This review underscores the critical need for a proactive and integrated approach toward the sustainable development of the petroleum industry through the control of and reduction in EPs.

Keywords: emerging pollutants (EPs); petroleum industry; chemical additives; environmental occurrence; source control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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