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09:49
Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
Published on: October 31, 2019
Petroleum pollutant degradation by surface water microorganisms
Malisa P Antić1, Branimir S Jovancićević, Mila Ilić
1Center of Chemistry, IChTM, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|October 28, 2006
Summary
Microbial cultures efficiently degrade petroleum hydrocarbons, particularly paraffinic types, under specific conditions. Inorganic media with light exposure promote the most effective bioremediation of n-alkanes and isoprenoids.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Bioremediation technologies
- Petroleum hydrocarbon degradation
Background:
- Microorganisms play a key role in altering petroleum composition in the environment.
- Bioremediation aims to define optimal conditions for degrading petroleum pollutants.
- This study investigates hydrocarbon degradation by microbial consortia from oil refinery wastewater.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the extent of hydrocarbon degradation by isolated microbial cultures.
- To determine optimal conditions for efficient petroleum bioremediation.
- To identify which petroleum hydrocarbon fractions are most susceptible to microbial degradation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of dominant microbial consortia (Phormidium foveolarum, Achanthes minutissima) from oil refinery canal water.
- Biodegradation experiments using paraffinic (Sirakovo) and naphthenic (Velebit) petroleum under aerobic conditions for three months.
- Analysis of hydrocarbon composition (saturated, aromatic, n-alkanes, isoprenoids, steranes, triterpanes) using GC and GC-MS.
Main Results:
- Paraffinic petroleum showed significant loss of saturated hydrocarbons, unlike naphthenic petroleum.
- Intensive degradation of n-alkanes and isoprenoids occurred in inorganic medium (Kp) with light.
- Steranes and triterpanes remained unaffected, indicating biodegradation was limited to acyclic aliphatics.
Conclusions:
- Isolated microbial cultures effectively degrade petroleum hydrocarbons, primarily n-alkanes and isoprenoids.
- Inorganic medium with light provides the most favorable conditions for petroleum bioremediation.
- Bioremediation of petroleum pollutants under natural conditions is likely restricted to acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons.
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