Remediation Of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-contaminated Soil Research Articles

Evaluation of lipopeptides biosurfactant from Raoultella planticola for bioremediation in n-hexadecane-contaminated soil

Biosurfactants combined with bioaugmentation for the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils proved to be one of the most effective ways. However, research on lipopeptides combined with bioaugmentation is rare, and the biological mechanisms are undefined. Therefore, the effect of Raoultella planticola and the lipopeptides it produces to restore contaminated soils was investigated using n-hexadecane as a model of petroleum hydrocarbons. After 60 d, n-hexadecane removal rate increased from 31.3% in contaminated soil to 39.9% with R. planticola alone and 59.0% with R. planticola together with 1.0 g intracellular lipopeptide (INLS) and 7.5 g sodium gluconate (SG)/kg dry soil. Meanwhile, the nitrogen and phosphorus components of the soil increased by 13.9% and 8% in the experimental group, respectively. Besides, DHA activity was 6.7 times that of the control group at 28 d, indicating a considerable increase in DHA activity. Microbial community analysis revealed a considerable increase in functional genera of Sphingomonas, Nocardia, Pseudoalteromonas, Povalibacter, Apiotrichum, Pseudallecheria, and Ascodesmis. The amount of fungus in the experimental group was more than 30 times that of the control group after 60 d. Microbial co-occurrence networks showed improved interactions of Firmicutes and Ascomycota, encouraging synergistic cooperation among microbes and thereby accelerating n-hexadecane breakdown. At once, the metabolic pathways ko00071 and ko00980 for n-hexadecane degradation were greatly elevated, indicating that functional genes such as alkane 1-monooxygenase and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase were activated. These results implied that combining hydrocarbon-degrading microbial with INLS was a promising bioremediation technique to remove soil petroleum hydrocarbons.

Effect of the Application of Ochrobactrum sp.-Immobilised Biochar on the Remediation of Diesel-Contaminated Soil.

The immobilisation of bacteria on biochar has shown potential for enhanced remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the effect of bacterial immobilisation on biosolids-derived biochar for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil. This current study aimed to assess the impact of the immobilisation of an autochthonous hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, Ochrobacterium sp. (BIB) on biosolids-derived biochar for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil. Additionally, the effect of fertiliser application on the efficacy of the BIB treatment was investigated. Biochar (BC) application alone led to significantly higher hydrocarbon removal than the control treatment at all sampling times (4887-11,589 mg/kg higher). When Ochrobacterium sp. was immobilised on biochar (BIB), the hydrocarbon removal was greater than BC by 5533 mg/kg and 1607 mg/kg at weeks 10 and 22, respectively. However, when BIB was co-applied with fertiliser (BIBF), hydrocarbon removal was lower than BIB alone by 6987-11,767 mg/kg. Quantitative PCR (q-PCR) analysis revealed that the gene related to Ochrobacterium sp. was higher in BIB than in the BC treatment, which likely contributed to higher hydrocarbon removal in the BIB treatment. The results of the q-PCR analysis for the presence of alkB genes and FTIR analysis suggest that the degradation of alkane contributed to hydrocarbon removal. The findings of this study demonstrate that bacterial immobilisation on biosolids-derived biochar is a promising technique for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soil. Future studies should focus on optimising the immobilisation process for enhanced hydrocarbon removal.

Developing a Robust Bioventing Model

Bioventing is a widely recognized technique for the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. In this study, the objective was to identify an optimal mathematical model that balances accuracy and ease of implementation. A comprehensive review of various models developed for bioventing was conducted wherein the advantages and disadvantages of each model were evaluated and compared regarding the different numerical methods used to solve relevant bioventing equations. After investigating the various assumptions and methods from the literature, an improved foundational bioventing model was developed that characterizes gas flow in unsaturated zones where water and non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) are present and immobile, accounting for interphase mass transfer and biodegradation, incorporating soil properties through a rate constant correlation. The proposed model was solved using the finite volume method in OpenFOAM, an independent dimensional open-source coding toolbox. The preliminary simulation results of a simple case indicate good agreement with the exact analytical solution of the same equations. This improved bioventing model has the potential to enhance predictions of the remediation process and support the development of efficient remediation strategies for petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

Recent advancement in enhanced soil flushing for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil: a state-of-the-art review

Recent advancement in enhanced soil flushing for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil: a state-of-the-art review

Effect of the bacterial community assembly process on the microbial remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

The accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) in the soil can reduce soil porosity, hinder plant growth, and have a serious negative impact on soil ecology. Previously, we developed PH-degrading bacteria and discovered that the interaction between microorganisms may be more important in the degradation of PHs than the ability of exogenous-degrading bacteria. Nevertheless, the role of microbial ecological processes in the remediation process is frequently overlooked. This study established six different surfactant-enhanced microbial remediation treatments on PH-contaminated soil using a pot experiment. After 30 days, the PHs removal rate was calculated; the bacterial community assembly process was also determined using the R language program, and the assembly process and the PHs removal rate were correlated. The rhamnolipid-enhanced Bacillus methylotrophicus remediation achieved the highest PHs removal rate, and the bacterial community assembly process was impacted by deterministic factors, whereas the bacterial community assembly process in other treatments with low removal rates was affected by stochastic factors. When compared to the stochastic assembly process and the PHs removal rate, the deterministic assembly process and the PHs removal rate were found to have a significant positive correlation, indicating that the deterministic assembly process of bacterial communities may mediate the efficient removal of PHs. Therefore, this study recommends that when using microorganisms to remediate contaminated soil, care should be taken to avoid strong soil disturbance because directional regulation of bacterial ecological functions can also contribute to efficient removal of pollutants.

Helichrysum microphyllum subsp. tyrrhenicum, Its Root-Associated Microorganisms, and Wood Chips Represent an Integrated Green Technology for the Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils

Phytoremediation and the use of suitable amendments are well-known technologies for the mitigation of petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contaminations in terrestrial ecosystems. Our study is aimed at combining these two approaches to maximize their favorable effects. To this purpose, Helichrysum microphyllum subsp. tyrrhenicum, a Mediterranean shrub growing on sandy and semiarid soils, was selected. The weathered PHC-polluted matrix (3.3 ± 0.8 g kg−1 dry weight) from a disused industrial site was employed as the cultivation substrate with (WCAM) or without (UNAM) the addition and mixing of wood chips. Under the greenhouse conditions, the species showed a survival rate higher than 90% in the UNAM while the amendment administration restored the totality of the plant survival. At the end of the greenhouse test (nine months), the treatment with the wood chips significantly increased the moisture, dehydrogenase activity and abundance of the microbial populations of the PHC degraders in the substrate. Cogently, the residual amount of PHCs was significantly lower in the UNAM (3–92% of the initial quantity) than in the WCAM (3–14% of the initial quantity). Moreover, the crown diameter was significantly higher in the WCAM plants. Overall, the results establish the combined technology as a novel approach for landscaping and the bioremediation of sites chronically injured by PHC-weathered contaminations.

Effect of fresh and aged biochar on electrogenic hydrocarbon degradation in soil microbial electrochemical remediation

The remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil is a global problem. A bioelectrochemical system (BES) is an environmentally friendly technique. In BESs, microbes on the anode play central roles in electricity generation and pollutant degradation. Here, we utilized fresh and aged biochar (marked by FB and AB) as amendments to assess the spatial-temporal hydrocarbon removal, bacterial community shift and functional gene changes in the anode and cathode vicinity. After 78 days, an accumulated charge of 750 C for FB was gained, which was 12% and 98% higher than that of AB and the no-biochar control (CK), respectively. Moreover, the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons was enhanced in the order of CK (17–26%) < AB (22–28%) < FB (24–29%) in the cathodic area, while in the anodic region, the removal was enhanced in the order CK (22–31%) < FB (24–30%) < AB (28–30%) on days 43–78. Additionally, the top six phyla were Proteobacteria, Desulfobacterota, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteriota and Bacteroidota, accounting for > 92% of the total bacterial community, with a declining tendency over time. The cathode vicinity favoured Proteobacteria growth, whereas the anode region favoured Desulfobacterota and Firmicutes. Functional genes emphasized petroleum hydrocarbons as the carbon source and relationships with nitrogen, sulfur and iron compounds in soil. This study validated the aptitudes and application effects of fresh and aged biochar in BESs.

The effect of different in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technologies on the survival of indigenous microbes and the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil

This study determines the effect of different in situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) technologies on soil microorganisms and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation. Permanganate is a moderate oxidant to the intrinsic microbes while persulfate causes severe bacterial death. TPH removal in the persulfate and permanganate systems is similar, which is higher than that in the hydrogen peroxide system. Permanganate is the most suitable oxidant for ISCO, followed by in situ bioremediation because of its persistence and low toxicity. Chemical oxidation dominates the removal of TPH throughout the experiment in the persulfate systems and during the initial stage in the hydrogen peroxide and permanganate systems. The toxicity of different catalysis/activation methods to in situ microbes decreases in the order: heat> Fe2+/citric acid> Fe2+>no catalysis/activation. If ferrous iron or citric acid is used to catalyze hydrogen peroxide, the pH must be controlled to prevent severe damage to the microbes. There is more dissolved organic carbon in solution in oxidation systems, which shows that the addition of an oxidant increases the solubility and bioavailability of the contaminant. Petroleum degraders are present in the contaminated soil and the addition of oxidants changes indigenous bacterial communities significantly.

Aerobic composting remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Current and future perspectives

This article provides a comprehensive review on aerobic composting remediation of soil contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). The studies reviewed have demonstrated that composting technology can be applied to treat TPH contamination (as high as 380,000 mg kg−1) in clay, silt, and sandy soils successfully. Most of these studies reported more than 70% removal efficiency, with a maximum of 99%. During the composting process, the bacteria use TPHs as carbon and energy sources, whereas the fungi produce enzymes that can catalyze oxidation reactions of TPHs. The mutualistic and competitive interactions between the bacteria and fungi are believed to sustain a robust biodegradation system. The highest biodegradation rate is observed during the thermophilic phase. However, the presence of a diverse and dynamic microbial community ensures that TPH degradation occurs in the entire composting process. Initial concentration, soil type, soil/compost ratio, aeration rate, moisture content, C/N ratio, pH, and temperature affect the composting process and should be monitored and controlled to ensure successful degradation. Nevertheless, there is insufficient research on optimizing these operational parameters, especially for large-scale composting. Also, toxic and odorous gas emissions during degradation of TPHs, usually unaddressed, can be potential air pollution sources and need further insightful characterization and mitigation/control research.

Rhizoremediation as a green technology for the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils

Rhizoremediation is increasingly becoming a green and sustainable alternative to physico-chemical methods for remediation of contaminated environments through the utilization of symbiotic relationship between plants and their associated soil microorganisms in the root zone. The overall efficiency can be enhanced by identifying suitable plant-microbe combinations for specific contaminants and supporting the process with the application of appropriate soil amendments. This approach not only involves promoting the existing activity of plants and soil microbes, but also introduces an adequate number of microorganisms with specific catabolic activity. Here, we reviewed recent literature on the main mechanisms and key factors in the rhizoremediation process with a particular focus on soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH). We then discuss the potential of different soil amendments to accelerate the remediation efficiency based on biostimulation and bioaugmentation processes. Notwithstanding some successes in well-controlled environments, rhizoremediation of TPH under field conditions is still not widespread and considered less attractive than physico-chemical methods. We catalogued the major pitfalls of this remediation approach at the field scale in TPH-contaminated sites and, provide some applicable situations for the future successful use of in situ rhizoremediation of TPH-contaminated soils.

Application of alkyl polyglycosides for enhanced bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil using Sphingomonas changbaiensis and Pseudomonas stutzeri

Bioremediation is considered a cost-effective and environmentally sound method for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils. This study investigated the effects of biosurfactant alkyl polyglycosides (APG) on enhanced biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils using Sphingomonas changbaiensis and Pseudomonas stutzeri and explored the mechanism responsible for the enhanced petroleum hydrocarbon degradation. To accomplish this, the following treatments were evaluated: (1) bioaugmentation with Sphingomonas changbaiensis; (2) bioaugmentation with Pseudomonas stutzeri; (3) a combination of Sphingomonas changbaiensis and APG; and (4) a combination of Pseudomonas stutzeri and APG. The results showed that the degradation rates of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in contaminated soil samples bioaugmented with S. changbaiensis and P. stutzeri for 30 days were 39.2 ± 1.9% and 47.2 ± 1.2%, respectively. The addition of biosurfactant APG enhanced the bioremediation processes and improved the biodegradation rates. The biodegradation rate at 1.5 g/kg APG in soil samples bioaugmented with S. changbaiensis was 52.1 ± 2.0%, while the rate at 1.5 g/kg APG in soil samples bioaugmented with P. stutzeri was 59.0 ± 1.8%. The half-life decreased from 39.7 d to 24.5 d and from 29.6 to 20.1 d when the dosage of APG was 1.5 g/kg in contaminated soil samples bioaugmented with S. changbaiensis and P. stutzeri, respectively. Mechanism studies showed that the addition of APG can increase the TPH solubility, promote the sorption of TPH onto microbial cells and subsequent trans-membrane transport by APG-induced structural changes, stimulate microbial activities and participate in the co-metabolism. Therefore, the combination of bioaugmentation and APG is an effective method for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

Persulfate Oxidation for the Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils

Persulfate Oxidation for the Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils

Microbial Metabolism and Community Structure in Response to Bioelectrochemically Enhanced Remediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil

This study demonstrates that electrodes in a bioelectrochemical system (BES) can potentially serve as a nonexhaustible electron acceptor for in situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The deployment of BES not only eliminates aeration or supplement of electron acceptors as in contemporary bioremediation but also significantly shortens the remediation period and produces sustainable electricity. More interestingly, the study reveals that microbial metabolism and community structure distinctively respond to the bioelectrochemically enhanced remediation. Tubular BESs with carbon cloth anode (CCA) or biochar anode (BCA) were inserted into raw water saturated soils containing petroleum hydrocarbons for enhancing in situ remediation. Results show that total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal rate almost doubled in soils close to the anode (63.5-78.7%) than that in the open circuit positive controls (37.6-43.4%) during a period of 64 days. The maximum current density from the BESs ranged from 73 to 86 mA/m(2). Comprehensive microbial and chemical characterizations and statistical analyses show that the residual TPH has a strongly positive correlation with hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms (HDM) numbers, dehydrogenase activity, and lipase activity and a negative correlation with soil pH, conductivity, and catalase activity. Distinctive microbial communities were identified at the anode, in soil with electrodes, and soil without electrodes. Uncommon electrochemically active bacteria capable of hydrocarbon degradation such as Comamonas testosteroni, Pseudomonas putida, and Ochrobactrum anthropi were selectively enriched on the anode, while hydrocarbon oxidizing bacteria were dominant in soil samples. Results from genus or phylum level characterizations well agree with the data from cluster analysis. Data from this study suggests that a unique constitution of microbial communities may play a key role in BES enhancement of petroleum hydrocarbons biodegradation in soils.

Application of the Haug model for process design of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil bioremediation by composting process

The main scope of this work is applying an aerobic composting model for remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. For this purpose, the reaction kinetics was integrated with the mass and energy balances over the composting system. Literature pilot scale data for bioremediation of diesel oil-contaminated soil was used for model validation. Comparisons of simulation results with experimental data for diesel concentration and oxygen concentration showed good agreement during the remediation process. With validated model for bioremedi- ation of diesel oil-contaminated soil, the influence of amendment type, bulking agent, amendment/soil ratio, bulking agent/soil ratio, moisture content and airflow rate were investigated on diesel biodegradation. The simulation results showed that maximum degradation of diesel occurred in the presence of yard waste as amendment. Furthermore, addition of bulking agent (wood chips) increased the diesel degradation about 6 %. In presence of yard waste as amendment and wood chips as bulking agent, the optimal values for maximum remediation were amendment/soil ratio (2.5 kg kg -1 ), bulking agent/soil ratio (2.25 kg kg -1 ), initial moisture content (62.5 %) and airflow (0.520 m 3 day -1 kgBVS -1 ).