[Effects of acid soils on the biodegradation of hydrocarbons]

Biodegradation efficiency of hydrocarbons and melioration of micro-ecosystem conditions in acid soils should be seriously concerned due to either occurrence of acid polluted soils or acidification during bioremediation process. The influence of acid situation on degrading microbes and the biodegradation rate were figured out by monitoring variations of biomass, microbial activities and petroleum contents with time in acid and alkaline polluted soils in laboratory. Injecting degrading microbes and meliorating micro-ecosystem conditions of acid soils were conducted. The results showed that acid soils (pH = 5.4-5.7) had extreme restraint on local microbe numbers and activities, and biodegradation rate almost reached zero. Injection of degrading microbes could not remarkably reduce the restriction of acid conditions. The microbe numbers quickly went down from 10(6) cells/g dried soil to zero in 14 days and the Fluorescein Diacetate (FDA) activities were only about 0.10 Abs/g dried soil. However, addition of bio-carriers could effectively improve micro-ecosystem conditions in acid soils, thus notably diminish the restraint to some extent. In 19 days, the amount of microorganisms decreased from 2 x 10(6) to 2.2 x 10(2) cells/g dried soil. And up to 49 days, about 13% hydrocarbons were removed from the polluted soils by microbes.