Oil

In the past year the US has decreased its oil production and made up much of the difference by importing Russian oil. While the emphasis of this exchange is focused on the politics not much is printed about the environmental cost. US oil is sweet compared to Russian oil which is sour. This means that Russian oil is higher in sulfur, higher in viscosity and higher in acidity. Much of the problem with acid rain comes from the sulfur that becomes sulfuric acid. Russian oil is higher viscosity meaning it contains less of the more valuable lighter hydrocarbons. Russian oil is higher in naphthenic acid which corrodes equipment both in the plant operations and in the environment.