Determination of Metal Ions in Crude Oils

Crude oil is complex mixture of hydrocarbons that occur in the earth in liquid form. It constitutes an important part of primary fossil fuels. Crude oil was used as a medicine by the ancient Egyptians, presumably as wound dressing, liniment and laxative. Several centuries later, Spanish explorers discovered crude oil in Cuba, Mexico, Boliva and Peru. The industrial revolution brought increasing demand for cheaper and convenient source of energy. Crude oil (liquid petroleum) was easily transportable source of energy, concentrated and flexible from of fuel. At the beginning of the 20th century the industrial revolution had progressed to the extent that the oil industry became the major supplier of the energy, largely because of the advent of automobile. The oil achieved a primary importance as an energy source on which the world economy depends. The growth in the energy production during the 20th century was unprecedented and is the major contributor to the growth. On the time scale within the human history, the utilization of oil as a major source of energy will be affair of a few centres, but it will have profound effect on world industrialization.