Biostimulation and Bioaugmentation: The Strategy of Choice in the Biodegradation of Aviation Fuel

Abstract

Various studies have shown that hydrocarbon contaminants are fast becoming a global menace. Many methods have been adopted for cleaning up this contaminant. The use of biostimulation and bioaugmentation have been methods of choice for bioremediation as both options are safe and cheap. In the present study, the soil of University of Lagos botanical garden was contaminated with aviation fuel and was monitored for 35 days. The soil was fortified with Minimal Salt Medium and consortium of Ralstonia sp. Strain SA4 and Pseudomonas sp. Strain SA6 separately in two microcosms. The aim of the experiment was to determine the better option for use in the case of contamination with hydrocarbons. The methods were both effective as both microcosms displayed a magnitude of reduction in the aviation oil content between days 0 and 35. The soil seeded with consortium of Ralstonia sp. Strain SA4 and Pseudomonas sp. Strain SA6, showed 80% degradation rate while that fortified with MSM showed 77% degradation rate. However, the result showed bioaugmentation to be effective option to be explored especially in the developing parts of the world