Effect of Interface Fertilization on Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Present in Nonaqueous-Phase Liquids

Abstract

The main goal of this study was to use an oleophilic biostimulant (S-200) to target possible nutritional limitations for biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at the interface between nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs) and the water phase. Biodegradation of PAHs present in fuel-containing NAPLs was slow and followed zero-order kinetics, indicating bioavailability restrictions. The biostimulant enhanced the biodegradation, producing logistic (S-shaped) kinetics and 10-fold increases in the rate of mineralization of phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene. Chemical analysis of residual fuel oil also evidenced an enhanced biodegradation of the alkyl-PAHs and n-alkanes. The enhancement was not the result of an increase in the rate of partitioning of PAHs into the aqueous phase, nor was it caused by the compensation of any nutritional deficiency in the medium. We suggest that biodegradation of PAH by bacteria attached to NAPLs can be limited by nutrient availability due to the simultaneous consumption of NAPL components, but this limitation can be overcome by interface fertilization.

Biodegradation of MC252 oil in oil:sand aggregates in a coastal headland beach environment

“…Rate and extent of microbial degradation of crude oil components can be heavily influenced by geochemical parameters including temperature (Mohn and Stewart, 2000; Eriksson et al, 2001; Haritash and Kaushik, 2009), salinity (Kastner et al, 1998; Diaz et al, 2002; Badejo et al, 2013), nutrient content (Dibble and Bartha, 1979; Chen et al, 2008; Tejeda-Agredano et al, 2011) and the availability of electron acceptors such as oxygen (Tang et al, 2006; Uribe-Jongbloed and Bishop, 2007; Haritash and Kaushik, 2009; Ortega-Calvo and Gschwend, 2010). On beach environments, additions of nutrients and organic matter have enhanced biodegradation rates of MC252 oil (Horel et al, 2012; Mortazavi et al, 2013) confirming previous studies (Bragg et al, 1994; Xu and Obbard, 2003).…”

Mycelium-Enhanced Bacterial Degradation of Organic Pollutants under Bioavailability Restrictions

“…Hydrophobic organic pollutants (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)), due to their low aqueous concentrations, often exhibit low bioavailability, which limits the metabolic activities and affects the community structures of pollutant-degrading microorganisms. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Examples of chemicals with restricted bioavailability include PAHs sorbed to natural organic matter and associated with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), e.g., crude oil and lubricants, matrices in which these chemicals show a reduced chemical activity. [4][5][6][7] Recent attempts to enhance the bioavailability and biodegradation of PAHs provided new insights into low-risk ecological approaches to optimizing bioremediation.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Examples of chemicals with restricted bioavailability include PAHs sorbed to natural organic matter and associated with non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs), e.g., crude oil and lubricants, matrices in which these chemicals show a reduced chemical activity. [4][5][6][7] Recent attempts to enhance the bioavailability and biodegradation of PAHs provided new insights into low-risk ecological approaches to optimizing bioremediation. 6 One approach is the exploitation of natural chemical enhancers (e.g., biosurfactants and plant root exudates) to accelerate the partitioning rate of PAHs from NAPLs or boost the tactic responses of PAH-degrading bacteria toward distant pollutant sources.…”

“…6 One approach is the exploitation of natural chemical enhancers (e.g., biosurfactants and plant root exudates) to accelerate the partitioning rate of PAHs from NAPLs or boost the tactic responses of PAH-degrading bacteria toward distant pollutant sources. [2][3][4][7][8][9] Additionally, improvements in pollutant bioavailability using mycelial networks formed by eukaryotic microbes (e.g., fungi and oomycetes) have recently been proposed as promising biological enhancers for facilitating the transport of PAH-degrading bacteria and PAHs, leading to increased rates of biodegradation. [10][11][12][13] Two conceptual applications of mycelial networks are considered in the bioremediation of PAH-polluted scenarios.…”

Halophiles: biology, adaptation, and their role in decontamination of hypersaline environments

“…;Haritash and Kaushik 2009;Mohn and Stewart 2000), water or soil salinity(Badejo et al 2013;Díaz et al 2002;Kästner et al 1998), nutrient contentDibble and Bartha 1979;Tejeda-Agredano et al 2010), and the availability of electron acceptors, e.g., oxygen(Hari- tash and Kaushik 2009;Ortega-Calvo and Gschwend 2010;Tang et al 2006;Uribe-Jongbloed and Bishop 2007).…”