Oxidation of a Mixture of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons by a Mixed Culture of Hydrocarbon-Oxidizing Microorganisms

D A Filatov,E A Elchaninova,V S Ovsyannikova,M A Kopytov

doi:10.18321/ectj1034

Abstract

The possibility of biochemical oxidation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon mixtures (PAHs) by the mixed culture of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms (HOM) in a liquid medium and soil was investigated. The mixed HOM culture was represented by Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus cereus, and Arthrobacter globiformis genera. It was shown that during HOM cultivation of the microorganisms under study in the liquid medium their number increases from 0.25·104 to 11·108 CFU/ml, which is accompanied by an increase in their oxygenase activity. All PAHs identified were subjected to oxidation from 11.3 to 100%. The results of experiments on biodegradation of PAHs under natural conditions have shown that for 60 days the total utilization of oil products in soils was on the average 65% of the initial contamination. This suggests the prospects for the use of the mixed HOM culture under study for effective biodegradation of PAHs polluting soil and waste waters.

Highlights

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are high on the list of ecotoxic substances by the harm caused to the environment [1]
This work aims to investigate the oxidation of a multi-component mixture of PAHs by a mixed culture of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms (HOMs) a liquid mineral medium and in soil under natural conditions
We investigated the possibility of bio-oxidation of PAHs by a mixed HOM culture represented by Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus cereus, and Arthrobacter globiformis species, previously isolated from oil polluted soils

Summary

Introduction

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are high on the list of ecotoxic substances by the harm caused to the environment [1]. They are extremely diverse, and their toxicity, carcinogenicity, and mutagenicity are well known [2,3,4]. They are lipophilic, poorly soluble in water and volatile [5]. This work aims to investigate the oxidation of a multi-component mixture of PAHs by a mixed culture of hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms (HOMs) a liquid mineral medium and in soil under natural conditions

Experimental

Results and discussion

Conclusion