Effect of bioremediation on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon residues in soil

Abstract

Soil contamination (60 mg/g of soil) by a diesel oil (DO) spill was simulated in outdoor lysimeter units and the effect of bioremediation treatment consisting of liming, fertilization, and tilling on the persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) components of DO was measured. After solvent extraction from soil and class separation on silica gel, PAH components were identified and partially quantified by GC-ITD analysis. Residual mutagenicity and acute toxicity of the contaminated soil was also assessed by Ames and Microtox tests. Bioremediation treatment, while increasing the rate of total hydrocarbon degradation, had an even greater effect on PAH persistence, almost completely eliminating these compounds in 12 weeks. Without bioremediation, 12.5-32.5% of the higher molecular weight PAH were still present at 12 weeks. Mutagenicity and toxicity tests corroborated the above results. After substantial initial mutagenicity and toxicity, the contaminated soil approached the background level of uncontaminated soil after 12 weeks of bioremediation. Detoxification was complete in 20 weeks.