Feasibility study of bioremediation of a drilling-waste-polluted soil: Stimulation of microbial activities and hydrocarbon removal

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of bioremediation as a treatment option for an aged and chronically polluted drilling waste soil located at the Southeast of Mexico. The polluted drilling-waste site with a mean total petroleum hydrocarbon concentration (TPHs) of 39,397 ± 858 mg/kg was treated with one dose of a nutrient-surfactant commercial product at 40 mg/kg soil and two doses of H2O2 (50 and 100 mg H2O2/kg soil). In this study, the parameters that were monitored include soil respiration, heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria as biological indicators, catalase and dehydrogenase activities, and TPHs degradation as decontamination parameters. The results demonstrated that the microbial activities can be stimulated in a polluted drilling-waste site by the addition of H2O2 and commercial product, thereby resulting in increasing TPHs degradation. These aspects must be taken into account when biodegradation studies involve the application of a commercial product.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2189-2201
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
Volume40
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Catalase
  • Dehydrogenase activity
  • Drilling wastes
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Total petroleum hydrocarbons

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