Analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bioremediation by hydrocarbonoclastic degrading bacteria (Gordonia terrae)

Abstract

One of the main focuses in developing bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) is to optimize the hydrocarbonoclastic degrading bacteria such as Gordonia terrae. However, the analysis of the bacteria's capability to degrade PAHs in different concentrations is sparsely explored. This study aims to evaluate the remediation of PAHs by Gordonia terrae by analyzing bacterial activity, PAH degradation, pH, BOD, and COD. The initial PAH concentrations used were 15 ppm, 30 ppm, and 45 ppm for 14 days of incubation. The results show bacterial activity gradually increases in each concentration up to 10-day incubation and decreases in up to 14-day incubation. Moreover, the total PAHs were gradually decreased to 54%, 69%, and 77% in the 15 ppm, 30 ppm, and 45 ppm of initial concentrations, respectively. The final pH values were 6 for all concentrations. At the same time, the BOD and COD values of each concentration gradually decreased until the end of the experiments. This study shows that Gordonia terrae can degrade PAHs, which was achieved optimally after 10 days of incubation. Furthermore, this study indicates that PAH degradation is influenced by bacterial activity, pH, BOD, and COD.