Open AccessStrategy to improve crude oil biodegradation in oligotrophic aquatic environments: W/O/W fertilized emulsions and hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria
Author(s) -
Edmo Montes Rodrigues,
Álvaro Vianovaes de Carvalho Teixeira,
Dionéia Evangelista Cesar,
Marcos Rogério Tótola
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
brazilian journal of microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1678-4405
pISSN - 1517-8382
DOI - 10.1007/s42770-020-00244-x
Subject(s) - microcosm , biodegradation , biostimulation , bioremediation , hydrocarbon , environmental chemistry , bioaugmentation , nutrient , emulsion , chemistry , petroleum , mineralization (soil science) , seawater , bacteria , nitrogen , organic chemistry , ecology , geology , biology , paleontology
We studied petroleum biodegradation by biostimulation by using water in oil in water (W/O/W) double emulsions. These emulsions were developed using seawater, canola oil, surfactants, and mineral salts as sources of NPK. The emulsions were used in the simulation of hydrocarbon bioremediation in oligotrophic sea water. Hydrocarbon biodegradation was evaluated by CO 2 emissions from microcosms. We also evaluated the release of inorganic nutrients and the stability of the emulsion's droplets. The double emulsions improved CO 2 emission from the microcosms, suggesting the increase in the hydrocarbon biodegradation. Mineral nutrients were gradually released from the emulsions supporting the hydrocarbon biodegradation. This was attributed to the formation of different diameters of droplets and therefore, varying stabilities of the droplets. Addition of the selected hydrocarbonoclastic isolates simulating bioaugmentation improved the hydrocarbon biodegradation. We conclude that the nutrient-rich W/O/W emulsion developed in this study is an effective biostimulation agent for bioremediation in oligotrophic aquatic environments.