Degradation of Diesel, a Component of the Explosive ANFO, By Bacteria Selected From an Open Cast Coal Mine in La Guajira, Colombia

Jenny Dussán

doi:10.4172/2155-9821.1000126

Abstract

Open cast coal mining operations involve the use of the explosive Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) for detonation processes. Five bacterial strains belonged to Pseudomonas sp and Pseudomonas stutzeri were isolated from an open cast coal mine located in La Guajira, Colombia. Degradation of the second component of ANFO, which is diesel, by the five isolates and by a consortium was evaluated. The biodegradation of diesel was determined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Biodegradation Efficiency (BE) was 96% for the consortium; individual strains had levels between 10-95% of BE. Analysis for the presence and expression of the alkane monooxygenase gene involved in the degradation of diesel was evidenced in two strains showing band size products between 500-600 bp. Results suggest that these bacteria are candidates for diesel bioremediation.

Highlights

Open cast coal mining requires the removal of surface materials and soil to expose sources of coal
Some microorganisms are able to use hydrocarbons as an energy source, bacteria have been reported in remediation of diesel contaminated soils, including Pseudomonas stutzeri [1] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [2], among others
The consortium showed the same growth behavior as these strains. These results suggest that strains used diesel as a carbon energy source

Summary

Introduction

Open cast coal mining requires the removal of surface materials and soil to expose sources of coal. The explosive ANFO, composed of 96% ammonium nitrate and 4% diesel fuel, is used for detonation processes in coal mining. Part of the explosive ANFO is deposited in the soil where certain microorganisms are able to survive under these extreme conditions. Some microorganisms are able to use hydrocarbons as an energy source, bacteria have been reported in remediation of diesel contaminated soils, including Pseudomonas stutzeri [1] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [2], among others. The ability of bacteria to degrade soil pollutants such as hydrocarbons is useful for bioremediation purposes and their ability to emulsify hydrocarbons has been studied to this respect, making bacteria useful in the removal of these compounds from the environment [3]

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