The study of rehabilation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil using bio-remedial microbes
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Date
2006
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Abstract
The study investigated the feasibility of bioremediation as a treatment option for chronically diesel-oH-poHuted soil at petroleum and gas depot of Oilco (a company that is a division of Shell) situated at the east side of Empangeni which is in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. To examine the efficiency of bioaugmentation, the contaminated site was treated with microbes, (previously isolated from the diesel-contaminated soil) to a depth of ±1, 2 meters, ±5 meters wide and 2 meters in length, plus the woodshavim^ as their nutrient source.
The effectiveness of bioremediation was observed over a period of 11 weeks and samples were taken at 15-day intervals. Over that period of 11 weeks, the changes in hydrocarbon concentrations were monitored in the soil and soil leachate and the accompanying changes in the soil microbial counts and activity. A significant reduction in the diesel-oil level could be achieved. The BTEX method was used in GCMS to check for changes in TPH. Prior to GCMS analysis the soil texture was analyzed using the Particle Size Determination method and the soil was observed to be sandy-loam (Day, 1995). For checking the soil microbial counts and activity the following groups of microbes were observed Aerobic Total Counts, Nitrofyers, Nitrosojyers and Free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria (Chan^L aL, 1993). The four groups of microbial counts were used as a biological parameter, and there was a correlation between each other as well as with the residua] hydrocarbon concentration, indicating the importance of biodegradation. The effect of biostimulation of the indigenous soil microorganisms declined with time during the study.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Zululand, 2006.
Keywords
hydrocarbon, bioremedial microbes