Abstract
In this study, the potential effects of palm kernel oil (PKO), pineapple peels derived-activated carbon (PPAC) and NPK fertilizer (20:10:10) as amendment agents on the natural bioattenuation of 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) in tropical agricultural soil were investigated. The effect of PPAC dosage on 2,6-DCP biodegradation was also studied. Column reactors containing soil were spiked with 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) wastewater (300 mg/l) and amended with PKO, NPK fertilizer and PPAC alone or in combinations. The rates of 2,6-DCP biodegradation were studied for a remediation period of 42 days under laboratory conditions. The results showed that there was a positive relationship between the rate of 2,6-DCP biodegradation, bacterial growth rate and presence of NPK fertilizer and PPAC (alone or in combination) in soil column microcosms contaminated with 2,6-DCP. The 2,6-DCP biodegradation data fitted well to the first-order kinetic model. The model revealed that 2,6-DCP contaminated-soil microcosms amended with NPK fertilizer and PPAC (alone or in combination) had higher biodegradation rate constants (k) as well as lower half-life times (t1/2) than soil column microcosms amended with PKO and unamended soil (natural attenuation) remediation system. Thus, the use of combined NPK fertilizer and activated carbon (NPK + PPAC) to enhance 2,6-DCP degradation in the soil could be one of the severally sought bioremediation strategies of remediating natural ecosystem (environment) contaminated with organic chemicals.
Highlights
The contamination of land and aquatic environment by hydrocarbons has become a serious problem in major parts of the world and Nigeria in particular
The results showed that there was a positive relationship between the rate of 2,6-DCP biodegradation, bacterial growth rate and presence of NPK fertilizer and pineapple peels derived-activated carbon (PPAC) in soil column microcosms contaminated with 2,6-DCP
The model revealed that 2,6-DCP contaminated-soil microcosms amended with NPK fertilizer and PPAC had higher biodegradation rate constants (k) as well as lower half-life times (t1/2) than soil column microcosms amended with palm kernel oil (PKO) and unamended soil remediation system
Summary
The contamination of land and aquatic environment by hydrocarbons has become a serious problem in major parts of the world and Nigeria in particular. Chlorophenols as environmental pollutants are highly toxic and carcinogenic with strong odour emission, not readily biodegradable and persistent in the environment and poses a serious ecological problem and public health risk causing problems with the human respiratory and nervous system [9,10,11,12]. For this reason an increasing attention has been directed toward the research of new strategies and environmental-friendly technologies to be applied for the remediation of ecosystems contaminated by hydrocarbons. Biotechnological strategies based on the autochthonous microbial communities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
