Efficacy of bioadmendments in reducing the influence of salinity on the bioremediation of oil-contaminated soil

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the potential of three bioamendments (rice husk biochar, wheat straw biochar, and spent mushroom compost) to enhance microbial degradation of crude oil in saline soil. A soil microcosm experiment was conducted, comparing the response of soil microorganisms to crude oil under saline (1 % NaCl) and non-saline conditions. The soils were amended with different bioamendments at varying concentrations (2.5 % or 5 %), and degradation rates were monitored over a 120-day period at 20 °C. The results showed that the bioamendments significantly influenced the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in both non-saline and saline soils by 67 % and 18 % respectively. Non-saline soils exhibited approximately four times higher TPH biodegradation compared to saline soils. Among the bioamendments, rice husk biochar and spent mushroom compost had the greatest impact on biodegradation in saline soil, while wheat straw and rice husk biochar combined with spent mushroom compost showed the most significant effects in non-saline soil. The study also revealed that the bioamendments facilitated changes in the microbial community structure, particularly in the treatments with rice husk biochar and wheat straw biochar. Actinomycetes and fungi were found to be more tolerant to soil salinity, especially in the treatments with rice husk biochar and wheat straw biochar. Additionally, the production of CO2, indicating microbial activity, was highest (56 % and 60 %) in the treatments combining rice husk biochar or wheat straw biochar with spent mushroom compost in non-saline soil, while in saline soil rice husk biochar treatment (50 %) was the highest. Overall, this research demonstrates that the application of bioamendments, particularly rice husk biochar and wheat straw biochar combined with spent mushroom compost, can effectively enhance the biodegradation of crude oil in saline soil. These findings highlight the potential of such bioamendments as green and sustainable solutions for soil pollution, especially in the context of climate change-induced impacts on high-salinity soils, including coastal soils.