ABSTRACT

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the use of biosurfactant (rhamnolipid) in the biodegradation of diesel oil in clay soils. The assays were held in with an aerobic fixed bed reactor with 400g of oil-contaminated soil, at room temperature and aeration rate of 3L/h. To evaluate the techniques of biostimulation, bioaugmentation and the use of biosurfactant in the removal of diesel oil, different conditions was evaluated. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content was measured in order to monitor the diesel oil biodegradation and total heterotrophic (BHT) and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria (BHc) were enumerated, in the beginning and at the end of 30 days of experiments. The TPH removal was above 50% when fertilizer and/or biosurfactant were used. The addition of fertilizer was the relevant factor in the improvement of biodegradation of diesel oil.