METLA Project 3173
Bio oils and mineral oils in timber harvesting operations, and their impacts on forest environment and the health of forestry workers
Duration: 1996-2000
Keywords: bio oil, biodiversity, chain saw, environmental protection, ground waters, harvester, lubricant, work study
Research Program: Enviromental impact of forestry
Objectives
The aim of the study is to find out the effects of bio oils and mineral oils on forest environment, ground waters and forestry workers.
Results
The biodegradation of tall oils and rape seed oils was faster than the biodegradability of traditional mineral oils.
Oil deposition of 20 l/ha did not affect in practise on the growth of Scots pine and downy birch plants. The accidental oil level of 32 t/ha increased plant mortality and decreased plant growth clearly. With the oil amount of 32 t/ha also Zn and Fe contents of foliage increased. The effects of oils were more harmful through the foliage than through the soil. Also hydraulic oils were more harmful than chain oils did. Downy birches, however, began to produce sprouts after oil accident. There were no evidence of the clear oil damage living in needles or leaves, when TEM microscope analysis was applied. Oil deposition of 5t/ha or 20 t/ha did not affect significantly Nematoda and Enchytraidae populations of forest soil.
The proportion of mineral oils was about 80 % of the used hydraulic oils in the forest improvement machinery in winter 1996-97. Some of the machine operators using bio oils had difficultis in the hydraulic systems. About 3-5 % of the machine operators had symptoms in eyes or allergic reactions due to mineral oils. Bio oils did not cause any clear health symptoms. There were no visitors to the doctor due to mineral or bio hydraulic oils.
Project leader:
Lauhanen, Risto
Other researchers:
Sutinen, Sirkka, JO (1996-97)
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Updated 31.12.2003
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