Open AccessImprovement of Bioremediation Performance for the Degradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Contaminated Sediments
Author(s) -
Laura Rocchetti,
Francesca Beolchini,
Maurizio Ciani,
Antonio Dell’Anno
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
applied and environmental soil science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.431
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1687-7675
pISSN - 1687-7667
DOI - 10.1155/2011/319657
Subject(s) - microcosm , bioremediation , biodegradation , compost , anaerobic exercise , environmental chemistry , hydrocarbon , nutrient , chemistry , contamination , biostimulation , sulfate , environmental science , waste management , ecology , biology , organic chemistry , physiology , engineering
Microcosm bioremediation strategies were applied to sediments contaminated with hydrocarbons. Experiments were performed in aerobic conditions in a single-step treatment and in a two-step anaerobic-aerobic treatment. In aerobic conditions, either inorganic nutrients or composts were added to the microcosms, while, in the first anaerobic phase of the two-step experiment, acetate and/or allochthonous sulfate-reducing bacteria were used. After the treatment under anaerobic conditions, samples were exposed to aerobic conditions in the presence of compost. In the aerobic treatments, 81% hydrocarbon biodegradation was observed after 43 days in the presence of inorganic nutrients. In aerobic conditions in the presence of mature compost, hydrocarbon biodegradation was 51% after 43 days of treatment, whereas it was 47% after 21 days with fresh compost. The two-step experiment allowed us to obtain a hydrocarbon degradation of 91%, after a first anaerobic step with an inoculum of sulfate-reducing prokaryotes
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