Organic Bulking Agents for Enhancing Oil Bioremediation in Soil

Abstract

Soil contaminated with oil is bioremediated by optimizing conditions for microbial activity. Often the question arises about the benefits of bulking with organic materials to improve soil conditions to enhance degradation of the less biodegradable or less bioavailable components. An investigation was undertaken in the laboratory with the objective of measuring the influence of bulking with dried plant material, bermudagrass, and alfalfa on the degradation of oily sludge added to soil. The oily sludge was diluted 5050 on a weight basis with soil to achieve a final concentration of 100 g oil and grease kg' of final soil mixture. Bulking agents were added 40 d after dilution of the sludge and optimization of environmental conditions to allow time for the readily decomposable fraction to be degraded before amendment with bulking agents. Populations of heterotrophic microorganisms increased approximately ten times by 40 and 80 d after addition of bulking agents, but the numbers of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms did not significantly increase above the number in the nonbulked control. Bulking agents increased the quantity of total petroleum hydrocarbons degraded by approximately 20% during the first 40 d after being added. Disappearance of hydrocarbons for bulked treatments was much slower during the next 40 d, such that the total petroleum hydrocarbon content for both bulked and nonbulked treatments generally was not significantly different at the end. It appears that adding bulking agents may enhance the rate of decomposition of total petroleum hydrocarbons by stimulating the general heterotrophic population of microorganisms, but the influence may not be sustained to influence the extent of decomposition.

Can soil organic carbon be enhanced by using construction wastes as a soil amendment?

“…Results demonstrated that the mulch causes no inhibition to seed germination (Guerin, 2020). Other studies have demonstrated the successful use of bulking agents, such as wood chips, to improve the agronomic properties and related attributes of contaminated soil (Chang & Weaver, 1998).…”

Enhancement of Hydrocarbon Removal in a Clay and Drilling-Waste Polluted Soil

“…The use of organic amendments is a common practice to enhance pollutant degradation (Printz et al, 1995;Chang and Weaver, 1998), since they offer advantages allowing enhanced porosity of the system and other physical limitations. This study allowed us to select those variables and levels that were significant for enhancing TPH removal.…”

Bioremediation treatment of hydrocarbon-contaminated Arctic soils: influencing parameters

“…Hazards associated with the biodegradation process are divided into five groups: i) climatic conditions, ii) spilt oil physical and chemical properties, iii) soil characteristics, iv) microorganisms and their metabolic activity, and v) treatment strategy. These hazards were identified and assessed by performing a literature review (Margesin and Schinner 1999;Margesin and Schinner 2001;Filler et al 2006;Balba et al 1998;Mrozik et al 2003;Vidali 2001;Yang et al 2009;Atlas 1981;Fingas 2011;EPA 2004;Fernández-Luqueño et al 2011;Wania 1999;Liu et al 2006) and analysing previous bioremediation treatment case studies in the Arctic regions (Greenwood et al 2009;Margesin 2000;Masloboev and Evdokimova 2012;Evdokimova et al 2012;McCarthy et al 2004;Mohn and Stewart 2000;Sanscartier et al 2009;Chang and Weaver 1998;Walworth et al 2001;Walworth et al 2007;Zytner et al 2001;Whyte et al 1999;Paudyn et al 2008;Børresen and Rike 2007;Filler et al 2001;Couto et al 2014).…”