Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Analysis Research Articles

Kinetics of bioremediation of crude oil polluted soil using potato peels as bio-stimulant

This study investigated the utilization of bio-stimulant derived from agro-based resource (potato peels) in the remediation of crude-oil contaminated soil. At a constant proportion of crude oil contamination, varying concentration of the biostimulant (5ml, 10ml, 15ml and 20ml) were introduced for the treatment (bioremediation and degradation) of the contaminated sites and left for a degradation period in plastic vessels. Periodic sampling of soil from each vessel was carried out at 5 days interval for total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis. Results indicated that after 20 days of exposure to the organic biostimulants, biodegradation of crude oil contaminated soil samples was directly proportional to the potato peels dosage. The potato peels (PO) derived biostimulant recorded 94.43 percentage degradation at 20ml dosage and 20 days contact time. Oil contaminated soil samples amended potato peels biostimulant recorded half-life of 0.702day and biodegradation rate constants of 0.986day-1. The zero order kinetic model best described the bioremediation kinetic behaviour of the bioremediation process. The findings of this research suggest that potato peels can be used as an effective organic amendment for the biodegradation of crude oil contaminated soil.

Total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis in water, tilapia and sediment samples from ARAC environment (Aluu), Rivers State

The contamination of aquatic environments by Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPHs) presents significant environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to assess the levels of TPHs in water, tilapia, and sediment samples collected from the African Regional Aquaculture Center in Aluu, Nigeria. Chromatographic techniques were employed for TPH extraction and detection. The results revealed elevated TPH concentrations in the study area, with the highest levels observed in sediment samples. The results revealed that the concentration of TPH was high during the dry season (September to November) compared to raining season (May to July). Also, the results indicated that TPH concentration was higher in sediment compared to fish and water with average concentration of 0.206667mg/kg, 0.17666mg/kg7, and 0.148333mg/kg in sediment, fish and water respectively. TPHs was observed to be in sediment from 0.18 – 0.25mg/kg, whereas in water it had variation of 0.11mg/kg making it the lowest. TPHs variation in fish was also observed to be between 0.15 – 0.22mg/kg. It was observed that the concentrations of TPHs in fish positively correlated with THPs in the aquatic water (y = 12.56x + 168.32). This correlation is statically significant (p <0.5). The results also revealed that concentration of TPH in sediments was positively correlated (y = 2.83 x 154.26) with the water at p< 0.5 significant level. There was a positive correlation between TPH concentrations in fish and water, as well as between TPH concentrations in sediment and water. The findings emphasized the need for prompt intervention to mitigate TPH pollution and protect the environment and human health.

Investigation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil from Auto-mobile Mechanic Workshops within Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin L.G.A Akwa Ibom State Nigeria

This study investigates the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and total hydrocarbon content (THC) in soil samples from auto-mobile mechanic workshop in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin. Soil samples were collected in triplicate at different points within the vicinity of auto-mobile mechanic workshop at Ikot Akpaden represented as site A and control samples were obtained within the frontage of Chemistry Department, AKSU represented as site C. Soxhlet extraction and shaking methods were used for the extraction of the total petroleum hydrocarbons and total hydrocarbon content respectively. Each of the sample extracts were purified using column chromatography to remove moisture, polar hydrocarbons, colour interferences and any impurities before GC analysis. Total petroleum hydrocarbons and THC were analyzed using Gas Chromatography (GC-FID) and UV-VISIBLE spectrophotometer respectively. The results obtained from TPH analysis indicates that; 15,223.4 mg/kg was recorded from the auto-mobile mechanic workshop and 808.507 mg/kg was recorded from the control samples. The results from the two stations were higher than the department of petroleum resources (DPR) permissible limit of 50 mg/Kg for soils. There was significant difference in the concentration of total hydrocarbon content, the result obtained showed that, the three sampling point at the mechanic workshop has THC level in the order; A1>A3>A2. The concentration of THC obtained in the three points were greater than the 0.6 mg/Kg limit of total hydrocarbons content allowed by the DPR. The study revealed that the soils were polluted as a result of indiscriminate disposal of waste petroleum products (used engine oil, petrol, diesel and other lubricants) directly on the soil, as well as dumping and burning of waste at the auto-mobile mechanic workshops. Hence, there is need for a holistic and sustainable monitoring and remediation of the environment for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Mature petroleum hydrocarbons contamination in surface and subsurface waters of Kızılırmak Graben (Central Anatolia, Turkey): Geochemical evidence for a working petroleum system associated with a possible salt diapir

Salt formations exist in Kızılırmak Graben (Central Anatolia, Turkey), which consists of volcano-sedimentary units, and it was stated in previous studies that these formations have a diapiric structure. The adjacent basin, Ayhan Basin, contains bituminous shale and operated coal deposits. For this reason, in this study, it is aimed to investigate the oil and gas potential of the Kızılırmak Graben by conducting TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) analysis on the samples taken from natural cold-water resources by making use of the thought that hydrocarbon generation may come into existence from those units in the Ayhan basin. As a consequence of the analyses performed, hydrocarbons have been brought into the open in all the water samples. The organic geochemical methods have been used to find out the source of hydrocarbons determined in the water resources. The disclosed n-alkane hydrocarbons are the mature petroleum hydrocarbons derived from peat/coal type organic matter (Type III kerogen, gas-prone). These mature hydrocarbon-rich waters can be regarded as evidence for the availability of a working hydrocarbon system associated with possible salt diapir identified by using gravity and magnetic data obtained from the investigation area.

Biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles and activated sodium persulphate for hydrocarbon remediation in contaminated soil

Biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized from a locally sourced, readily available plant — Azadirachta indica, were used synergistically with sodium persulphate (PS) to degrade total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in contaminated soil. A chemometric approach to optimizing the conditions for the degradation of TPH was developed using central composite design (CCD). Characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles was carried out with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected electron area diffraction (SAED). Analysis of TPH was carried out with gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The optimum condition for the complete degradation of TPH was achieved at pH 6.0 and oxidant dosage of 0.74 M within 14 h and 5 days. Iron nanoparticles AZA FeNP (1:1) and AZA FeNP (2:1) were synthesized by varying the ratio of extract/precursor. The nanoparticles displayed heterogeneous, amorphous morphology with increased agglomeration in AZA FeNP (1:1). AZA FeNP (2:1) XRD spectra exhibited characteristic peaks at 27.0°, 35.4° and 44.5°, which are attributed to iron nanoparticles. TEM and HR-TEM images confirmed spherical nanoclusters’ presence with an average size of 9.3 and 10.0 nm for AZA FeNP (1:1) and AZA FeNP (2:1), respectively. The EDX spectra displayed intense peaks of oxygen, carbon, and iron at 0.4, 0.6 and 6.4 KeV confirming the presence of FeNP. Under optimized conditions, PS alone degraded 68% TPH while 0.07 and 0.15 g/L FeNP achieved ∼93 and 95% degradation, respectively. Additionally, 0.07 and 0.15 g/L FeNP-activated PS achieved ∼99 and 100% TPH degradation, respectively. The outcome of these findings suggests that FeNP synthesized using A. indica successfully catalyzed PS for complete degradation of TPH in crude oil-contaminated soil.

A rhamnolipid biosurfactant increased bacterial population size but hindered hydrocarbon biodegradation in weathered contaminated soils.

Surfactants are used to enhance the bioavailability of recalcitrant residual petroleum contamination during bioremediation. However, surfactants in some cases inhibit biodegradation, which is often attributed to their toxicity. Herein, we show that a rhamnolipid biosurfactant likely served as a carbon source and exhibited physiological inhibition on petroleum biodegradation. The addition of biosurfactants in mixed, batch, slurry bioreactors with soils from a petroleum-contaminated site led to a dose-dependent shift in the microbial community with a decrease in diversity and increase in population size and delayed biodegradation. Microbial community analysis indicated the enrichment of Alphaproteobacteria affiliated taxa such as Sphingomonadaceae in systems amended with biosurfactant. The diversity was significantly lower in systems with higher doses of biosurfactants compared to systems without biosurfactant. Droplet Digital PCR indicated a 30-90 fold increase in 16S rRNA copy numbers in systems with higher doses of biosurfactant than control systems without surfactant and nutrients, whereas the nutrient amendment alone led to a two-fold increase in population size. Total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis showed that the biodegradation extent was negatively impacted by rhamnolipid at the highest dose compared to lower doses (23% vs. 40%) or without the biosurfactant. Indigenous isolates cultivated from the oil-amended soil exhibited growth on rhamnolipid as a sole carbon source. A novel insight gained is how dose-dependent responses of microbial communities to biosurfactants alter the biodegradation time profile of hydrocarbons. The study highlights the significance of microbial assessment prior to surfactant-mediated bioremediation practices.

Factors affecting in situ analysis of total petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils by using a mid-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

The hand-held mid-infrared diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (MIR-DRIFT) spectrometer was used to assess the applicability of on-site and real time monitoring of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in contaminated soils during site characterization and remediation. Field measurement devices (MIR-DRIFT and turbidimetric screening test kits) were used to analyze reference soils with concentration ranging from 713 to 54790 mg/kg and compared with the results by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method (GC/MS). In situ field measurement of 147 petroleum-contaminated soil samples from 11 contaminated sites was correlated with laboratory-determined soil TPH levels by GC/MS. The concentrations of TPH by MIR-DRIFT were significantly correlated to the concentrations of TPH by GC/MS. Detection of TPH by the MIR spectrometer was not affected by the weathering effects of diesel-contaminated soils. Soils contaminated by mixed fuels with high content of gasoline constituents may cause the potential interference in MIR measurement. In field practice, interference may be attributed to soil moisture, soil organic matter, and soil texture. Soil moisture below 5% is required to reduce variation of infrared beam reflected from high level of surface liquid. When measuring the contaminated soil with a high organic matter content, the results may be overestimated due to the possible effects of surface reflection and interference. Clay and partial silty clay soils were not suitable for MIR spectrometer detection due to a potential shielding effect to reduce the infrared radiation absorbed by TPH. Future research is warranted to reduce the variation caused by soil texture and heterogeneity in TPH prediction.

The Impact Of Oil Spill To The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (Tph) Concentration In Fishes At North Coastal Of Karawang Regency, West Java Province

The coastal area is one of the areas that is quite vulnerable to the threat of pollution caused by human activities, including pollution caused by oil spills (hydrocarbons) in the sea. The incident can be caused by several factors including the explosion, leakage of petroleum pipelines on the seabed, leakage of tanks or petroleum tankers at sea and disposal of waste petroleum products into the environment. Oil spills continuously can cause environmental contamination and pollution both aquatic and terrestrial. If the petroleum hydrocarbons enter sea waters, some of them will be absorbed by aquatic organisms because the nature of the petroleum hydrocarbons is difficult to decompose in waters. The intentional and unintentional entry of hazardous and toxic substances into marine ecosystems such as petroleum hydrocarbons and chemical solvents resulting from industrial wastes has become a serious problem for human health and the environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) contained in fish in coastal waters of Karawang Regency, West Java Province. This research was conducted in September-November 2019 by taking several fish samples at Ciparage Jaya Fish Auction Place, Betok Mati and Sungai Buntu Rive with a total sample of 24 fish, and taking seawater samples in the three study sites. TPH analysis was carried out at the Integrated Chemistry Laboratory, Bogor Agricultural University. TPH values in fish at Ciparage-1, Ciparage-2, Betok Mati and Sungai Buntu stations, in general, have different mean values but are almost uniform, each at 6.82; 6.82; 7.45 and 5.12 mg/kg. Based on the average TPH concentration in fish, it can be said that the average TPH in fish at Betok Mati station is relatively higher compared to other stations. TPH values in all fish samples exceed the safe threshold, which is a maximum of 0.002 mg/kg. Based on the results of the Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) analysis showed that the average TPH in fish was 6.55 mg/kg and the average TPH in the waters was 11.23 mg/l, so the BAF value was 58.35 which means that the absorption rate of TPH by fish organisms against the concentration of TPH in the waters of 58.35%. The analysis shows that the value of Ecological Hazard Assessment (EHA) is 3743.33 which means that the level of influence of the hazard on ecosystems and organisms is 3743.33. This value exceeds the recommended threshold according to the European Union, which is a maximum of 0.002 mg/l.

Investigation of physical and chemical characteristics on soil due to crude oil contamination and its remediation

Oil contamination causes serious geoenvironmental concern and adversely affects the soil environment due to the release of toxic by-products. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the influence of oil contamination on soil physical and chemical properties and phytoremediation as a treatment option based on field studies conducted for analyzing significant parameters. The sites selected were near National Institute of Technology, Surathkal, Karnataka (site-1), and another is close to the oil refinery (Kuthethur, Karnataka, India, as site-2). Phytoremediation of oil-contaminated samples was carried out by Chromolaena odorata. The evaluation of soil physical and chemical properties includes field and laboratory tests. A pumping test was conducted to estimate aquifer parameters in the field. The hydraulic conductivity for field soil sample (unsaturated condition) is carried out by a filter paper test. Laboratory tests to evaluate physical and chemical parameters include total petroleum hydrocarbons of contaminated (crude oil varying from 0 to 10% at an interval of 2%) and uncontaminated samples and plant parameters. Characterization of contaminated and uncontaminated soil sample was performed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results obtained reveal that physical properties of soil (moisture content, liquid and plastic limit) got affected due to oil contamination. Relative hydraulic conductivity was established as 0.46 (uncontaminated) and 0.57 (contaminated) for soil samples and led to the conclusion that hydraulic conductivity was drop down by 10% due to oil contamination. Total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis reveals that the uptake/presence of hydrocarbons by showing increased concentration in contaminated soils (5% and 10%) by the plant species. This is further confirmed by FTIR results. The TPH concentrations in the contaminated soils were reduced up to 50–60% and also showed better plant growth after 7 weeks of transplantation. Hence, considered plant species possess high potential for degrading oil contaminated in the soil.

The Effects of the Application of Random Sampling on the Analysis of the Biodegradation of Oil Spills in Soil

Random sampling is a part of the sampling technique in which each sample has an equal probability of being chosen. A sample chosen randomly is meant to be an unbiased representation of the total population. If for some reasons, the sample does not represent the population, the variation is called a sampling error. Thus, an unbiased random sample is important for drawing conclusions in all issues, especially when the issue relates to environmental cleanup. Biodegradation focuses largely on the cleanup of petroleum hydro carbons and the past decades have seen challenges arise in order to make biodegradation technology appropriate and productive. This is because oil spills composition varies in locations as crude oil is a mixture of thousands of organic compounds that vary from one source to another. The purpose of this work was to determine the reliability of the random sampling method on oil spills which clean up sometimes cause s more harm than the oil spill itself. Random sampling is the basis for all probability sampling techniques used in soil sampling and serves as a reference point from which modifications to increase the efficiency of sampling are evaluated. Therefore its effectiveness was measured using Oil and Grease and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon analysis of the biodegraded soil.

Source identification of total petroleum hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM10 and street dust of a hot spot for petrochemical production: Asaluyeh County, Iran

Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important pollutants that affect public health in urban areas, especially in developing and oil-rich countries such as Iran. This assesses the relationship between TPH and PAHs in street dust and suspended dust, and investigates toxicity level in the urban environment of the most important petrochemical center in Iran. For this purpose, 21 and 48 street dust samples were collected for TPH analysis and PAH analysis, respectively, in Asaluyeh County. Moreover, seven air dust samples were taken for PAH analysis. TPH concentrations ranged between 240 and 4400 mg kg−1, with a mean of 1371.43 mg kg−1. The maximum ∑PAH concentration (6016.3 mg kg−1) was detected in a petrochemical complex while the minimum ∑PAHs content (16.93 mg kg−1) was measured in an urban area. The mean concentrations of total PAHs in street dust particles were 491.35 mg kg−1 in summer and 304.04 mg kg−1 in winter. The results indicated that PAH concentration in summer was higher. PAH sources were identified using both PAHs ratios and robust statistical methods such as Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), backward GEE, logistic regression, principal components analysis (PCA) in conjunction with multiple linear regression (MLR) and positive matrix factorization (PMF). The results showed that PAH species generally originate from pyrogenic sources and about 0.08% of TPH was typically PAHs. However, petrogenic sources of PAHs in the industrial areas were 11.2 times more abundant than in urban areas. Also, backward GEE model demonstrated that TPH is more influenced by HMW PAHs, particularly indene. Estimated incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) was higher than 10-4, showing that Asaluyeh inhabitants (especially children and indoor workers) are probably exposed to cancer risk, particularly through dermal contact and dust ingestion.

Analysis of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Water from Ngong and Mathare Rivers, Nairobi County, Kenya

Analysis of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Water from Ngong and Mathare Rivers, Nairobi County, Kenya

RemScan: A tool for monitoring the bioremediation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons in contaminated soil

Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) represent major environmental contaminants which pose a significant risk to ecosystems and humans heath if left untreated. Bioremediation represents a simple, cheap and environmentally-safe approach to clean up TPH-contaminated sites. Traditional TPH analysis is expensive and time-consuming. Here we assess, for the first time, the potential of RemScan as a fast, accurate and cost-effective portable device to be used as a tool to monitor the bioremediation process. A variety of TPH-contaminated soils were subject to TPH quantitative analysis using RemScan. The TPH values obtained were validated and compared against the results obtained from an accredited external laboratory, which uses Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for TPH analysis.•RemScan showed a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.998 in comparison with the traditional methods, but importantly with a significant reduction in both time and cost.•RemScan was successfully used to measure TPH concentrations in bioremediated, weathered-contaminated and highly contaminated soil samples with TPH concentrations varying from 100 to 100,000?mg?kg-1.•The RemScan Laboratory Station was used to minimize the source of errors associated with human manual handling.

Analysis of total petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk assessment of heavy metals in some selected finfishes at Forcados Terminal, Delta State, Nigeria

Edible aquatic fin fishes (I. africana, S. scrombrus, C. saira, T. crocodilus, O. niloticus, T. lepturus and M. cephalus) obtained from Forcados Terminal river in Delta State, Nigeria were analyzed for content in total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. Health risks to human through dietary consumption of seafood were assessed by estimated dietary intake (EDI), estimated weekly intake (EWI) and Target hazard quotient (THQ). Total Aliphatic Hydrocarbon (TAH) showed highest concentration of 0.49 ± 0.29, 0.59 ± 0.94 and 0.97 ± 0.64 mg/kg in hexadecane (I. africana), tetracosane and tetradecane (S. scrombrus). Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) like naphthalene, methylnaphthalene, Acenaphthene and Acenaphthene showed highest mean concentrations of 0.06 ± 0.03, 0.08 ± 0.05, 0.05 ± 0.03 and 0.05 ± 0.04 in I. africana. The result of total petroleum hydrocarbon showed S. scrombrus revealed the highest mean concentration of 3.64 ± 0.94 mg/kg while M. cephalus gave the least Concentration of 0.08 ± 0.01 mg/kg. Heavy metals like Fe, Zn and Cu had their peak concentrations of 46.59 ± 0.34 (S. scrombrus), 10.56 ± 0.18 (C. saira) and 5.95 ± 0.03 mg/kg (S. scrombrus) respectively and it shows a significant difference (p < .05) when compared to the control. Other heavy metals of health concern like Pb, Cd and showed highest concentration as follows 5.54 ± 0.02 (M. cephalus), 0.68 ± 0.01 (Tilapia) and 0.01 ± 0.00 mg/kg (C. saira). The results showed that the THQ for Fe, Cr and Zn and were less than 1 while that of Pb was greater than 1. The findings from this study show that there is a considerable health risks connected with consumption of some sea animals from our study locale and these aquatic animal bioaccumulate heavy metals, PAHs and TPHs levels which are potentially poisonous to humans who consume them.

The Canadian Oil Spill Shoreline Research Program: Establishing a Baseline Dataset for the Marine Coast of Northern British Columbia

Abstract 2017-182 The dispersal and weathering processes of crude and fuel oils have been studied for decades and significant scientific information has been published. However, the fate and behaviour of spilled nonconventional crude oil such as diluted bitumen products are less well understood. There is concern that a spill of the oil sands diluted bitumen may come into contact with marine shorelines as it is transported throughout Canada. There is uncertainty related to the fate of spilled diluted bitumen and potential interactions with shorelines. A Shoreline Oil Spill Research and Development Program was undertaken by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). In 2013, a 3-year study was initiated and focused on the marine shorelines of northern British Columbia (BC). Four field campaigns were conducted along the entire length of coast throughout the Douglas and Granville channels as well as Banks and Haida Gwaii islands. The field campaigns were used as an opportunity to develop and employ a new approach to collect and compile an extensive pre-spill baseline dataset. Data included an aerial survey with high definition video and a ground survey of representative shorelines where samples were collected and analyzed for petroleum hydrocarbons, carboxylic acid, pesticides, heavy metals, calcium carbonate and sediment grain size. Baseline levels of hydrocarbons in the sediment of the study areas were estimated based on the analysis of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), n-alkanes ranging from n-C9 to n-C40, petroleum related biomarkers such as terpanes and steranes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated homologues (APAHs).

Treatment of Heavy, Long-Chain Petroleum-Hydrocarbon Impacted Soils Using Chemical Oxidation

AbstractChemical oxidation is a promising approach for in situ or ex situ treatment of heavy, long-chain (C12−C40) petroleum-hydrocarbon impacted soils. Aqueous chemical oxidation treatments (sodium percarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, sodium persulfate, chlorine dioxide, sodium permanganate, and ozone) using two oxidant concentrations were tested in batch tests on soils containing C12–C40 total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations of 1.6 and 2.0% weight/weight (w/w) resulting in TPH reductions from 20 to 90%. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) chromatograms for hydrocarbons were obtained and presented as chain-length fractions. Sodium percarbonate and hydrogen peroxide achieved the highest TPH reduction. There was little difference between 1 and 10% weight/volume (w/v) for all oxidant doses on TPH removal. Soluble organics in the liquid supernatants after oxidation of the TPH-containing soils were characterized by TPH analysis and excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectros...

Development, optimization, validation and application of faster gas chromatography – flame ionization detector method for the analysis of total petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils

This paper presents an important new approach to improving the timeliness of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis in the soil by Gas Chromatography – Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) using the CCME Canada-Wide Standard reference method. The Canada-Wide Standard (CWS) method is used for the analysis of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds across Canada. However, inter-laboratory application of this method for the analysis of TPH in the soil has often shown considerable variability in the results. This could be due, in part, to the different gas chromatography (GC) conditions, other steps involved in the method, as well as the soil properties. In addition, there are differences in the interpretation of the GC results, which impacts the determination of the effectiveness of remediation at hydrocarbon-contaminated sites. In this work, multivariate experimental design approach was used to develop and validate the analytical method for a faster quantitative analysis of TPH in (contaminated) soil. A fractional factorial design (fFD) was used to screen six factors to identify the most significant factors impacting the analysis. These factors included: injection volume (μL), injection temperature (°C), oven program (°C/min), detector temperature (°C), carrier gas flow rate (mL/min) and solvent ratio (v/v hexane/dichloromethane). The most important factors (carrier gas flow rate and oven program) were then optimized using a central composite response surface design. Robustness testing and validation of model compares favourably with the experimental results with percentage difference of 2.78% for the analysis time. This research successfully reduced the method's standard analytical time from 20 to 8min with all the carbon fractions eluting. The method was successfully applied for fast TPH analysis of Bunker C oil contaminated soil. A reduced analytical time would offer many benefits including an improved laboratory reporting times, and overall improved clean up efficiency. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of TPH of Bunker C oil in contaminated soil.

경유 주입량과 토양 조성에 따른 유류 오염토양 내 TPH 측정 농도 변화 연구

This study investigated the effects of oil dose and soil texture on the analysis results for total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in artificially oil-contaminated soils. The same amount of diesel was mixed with soils having different soil texture, and soil TPH concentrations were then analyzed for comparison. Presence of clay in the soil showed lower soil TPH analysis results than that of sand only. As the clay content was increased in the soil, the lower soil TPH concentration was obtained by incompleteness of solvent extraction. As the organic matter content in soil was increased from 5.2% to 10% (weight basis), a higher concentration of TPH was obtained by TPH analysis. However, at a higher organic content in the soil, 18%, resulted in a lower TPH concentration than those of 5.2% and 10%. Gasoline dose to the soil resulted in a significantly low TPH concentration due to the volatilization of gasoline while soil mixing and analysis. This study results would provide fundamental information either to the expectation of TPH concentration in artificially oil-contaminated soil or to estimation of oil release in the real oil-contaminated site.

Salt marsh sediment characteristics as key regulators on the efficiency of hydrocarbons bioremediation by Juncus maritimus rhizospheric bacterial community.

Mitigation of petroleum hydrocarbons was investigated during a 5-month greenhouse experiment, to assess the rhizoremediation (RR) potential in sediments with different characteristics colonized by Juncus maritimus, a salt marsh plant commonly found in temperate estuaries. Furthermore, the efficiency of two bioremediation treatments namely biostimulation (BS) by the addition of nutrients, and bioaugmentation (BA) by addition of indigenous microorganisms, was tested in combination with RR. The effect of the distinct treatments on hydrocarbon degradation, root biomass weight, and bacterial community structure was assessed. Our result showed higher potential for hydrocarbon degradation (evaluated by total petroleum hydrocarbon analysis) in coarse rhizosediments with low organic matter (OM), than rhizosediments with high OM, and small size particles. Moreover, the bacterial community structure was shaped according to the rhizosediment characteristics, highlighting the importance of specific microbe-particle associations to define the structure of rhizospheric bacterial communities, rather than external factors, such as hydrocarbon contamination or the applied treatments. The potential for hydrocarbon RR seems to depend on root system development and bacterial diversity, since biodegradation efficiencies were positively related with these two parameters. Treatments with higher root biomass, and concomitantly with higher bacterial diversity yielded higher hydrocarbon degradation. Moreover, BS and BA did not enhance hydrocarbons RR. In fact, it was observed that higher nutrient availability might interfere with root growth and negatively influence hydrocarbon degradation performance. Therefore, our results suggested that to conduct appropriate hydrocarbon bioremediation strategies, the effect of sediment characteristics on root growth/exploration should be taken into consideration, a feature not explored in previous studies. Furthermore, strategies aiming for the recovery of bacterial diversity after oil spills may improve the efficiency of hydrocarbon biodegradation in contaminated salt marsh sediments.

Phytase activity of fungi from oil polluted soils and their ability to degrade bonnylight crude oil.

Fungi were isolated from contaminated soil samples taken from three selected automobile workshops, screened for phytase activities and biodegradative abilities. Physicochemical and total petroleum hydrocarbon analyses were carried using standard chemical and gas chromatography procedures, respectively. There was significant increase (at P≤0.05) in the potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, pH and organic matter of all contaminated soil samples. The fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus saprophyticus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma viride, Penicillium italicum, Articulospora inflata and Neurospora crassa . Of all the fungal isolates, A. flavus had the maximum phytase activity at the 48 h of incubation while N. crassa produced the least phytase activity at all the hour of incubation. Phytase activity of A. flavus and A. saprophyticus were found to be most active at pH 5.0 and 50°C. A. niger had the highest degrading ability on crude oil and spent engine oil at all days of incubation while N. crassa had the least degrading ability on crude and spent engine oil. The high total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration in contaminated soil may be as a result of consistent exposure of the soil to spent engine oil which could make the soil conditions unsatisfactory for microbial growth. Keywords : Fungi, biodegradation, bonny light crude oil, phytase African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(36), pp. 5540-5548