Bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils by composting

Composting oil-contaminated soils under field conditions with the simultaneous optimization of their physicochemical and agrochemical parameters revealed the high efficiency of the soil purification, including that from benz[a]pyrene. The application of fertilizers and lime favored the intense development of indigenous microcenoses and the effective destruction of the oil. During the 95-day experimental period, the average daily rate of the oil decomposition was 157 mg/kg of soil. After the completion of the process, the soil became ecologically pure.     

植物对污染土壤修复作用的研究进展

利用植物修复污染土壤是一种被人们认为安全可靠的方法.植物修复技术不仅能修复被石油污染的土壤,而且对更多品种污染的土壤修复有效,植物降解高分子有毒化合物的基础是根际环境及根际微生物,与无植物土壤不同.对根际区微生物降解和转化有机化合物的研究,更多的集中于植物对杀虫剂和除草剂的降解.事实证明,生物修复污染土壤是一项实用性和有效性很强的技术.     

Bioremediation of soil contaminated by hydrocarbons with the combination of three technologies: bioaugmentation,phytoremediation, and vermiremediation

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Using phytoremediation...     

Remediation of oil-contaminated soil using the CLEANSOIL technology

Approbation data of the innovative CLEANSOIL technology of soil purification after oil pollution are given. Drainage pipes filled with an adsorbent with microorganisms placed in the soil are used. It is revealed that the content of hydrocarbons under the technological constructions (metal columns and reservoirs) rises in comparison with the open oil-polluted areas. It is shown that the oil is destroyed quicker under the constructions versus in the open areas. The microorganisms better assimilate the n-alkanes with C₁₄ chains than the C_32–40 hydrocarbons. The application of a combined technology based on the sorption and reduction of the hydrocarbons by microorganisms makes it possible to quickly reduce the soil pollution by oil products without the soil cover’s disturbance.     

Comparisons of terrestrial and aquatic bioassays for oil-contaminated soil toxicity

Background  Petroleum products are widely used in various sections of industry and they are one of the most abundant sources of environmental contamination. These products are classified by their physico-chemical properties such as boiling point, density and viscosity. Oil contamination in the environment is primarily evaluated by measuring the chemical concentrations of petroleum products in the solid or water phase. The results of chemical analyses do not correspond directly with the harmful environmental effects of petroleum products on the soil flora and fauna, because the interactions between oil compounds and the production of their methabolites in soil are not measured in chemical assessments. These kinds of effects of complex chemical mixtures in soil can be estimated by bioassays. Therefore, ecotoxicological tests are important for estimating soil quality in the risk assessment of oil-contaminated soil sites. Objectives  The objective of this study was to examine the oil-contaminated soil site of a closed petrol station with both chemical and ecotoxicological methods. The goals of this study were to compare the sensitivity of the terrestrial and aquatic bioassays and to compare the toxicity responses of aquatic bioassays determined from three different extraction procedures. In addition, our aim was to characterise a cost-effective battery of bioassays that could be applied to a comparison of oil-contaminated soils. It was in our interest to investigate oil-contaminated soil with oil concentrations of 2500–12000 mg/kg and to find out the possible differences between terrestrial and aquatic toxicity tests. Methods  Six soil samples from a closed petrol station were examined for toxicity with terrestrial and aquatic tests. Terrestrial tests includedEnchytraeus albidus survival and reproduction assays and seed germination assays using wheat, cress, lettuce, and red clover seeds and growth inhibition assays of onions. The toxicities of the water-extractable fractions of the soil samples obtained from three different extractions were tested with aquatic bioassays based on plants (onion and duckweed growth inhibition tests), microbes (luminescent bacteria test), and enzyme inhibition (reverse electron transport test, RET). Chemical analyses of the solid samples were carried out simultaneously. Results. Oil concentrations ranged from 2500 to 12000 mg/kg, BTEX varied from 300 to 2800 mg/kg, and fuel additives: MTBE and TAME from 0.0 1 to 260 mg/kg. Only the sample contain-ing 12000 mg/kg oil had a significant toxic impact on all test organisms. Soil samples with oil concentrations 2500–6200 mg/ kg had no or only slight adverse effects on the test organisms with one exception, theE. albidus reproduction test. TheE. albidus survival and reproduction tests were the most sensitive bioassays of the terrestrial tests, and the luminescent bacteria test of the aquatic tests.     

Rhizosphere effect of Galega orientalis in oil-contaminated soil

Randomized lysimeters in an oil-contaminated field contained the following treatments: (1) Galega orientalis seeds inoculated with Rhizobium galegae HAMBI 540, (2) bioaugmentation with Pseudomonas putida PaW85, and (3) R. galegae -inoculated G. orientalis seeds plus bioaugmentation with P. putida PaW85. The bacterial abundance and diversity were analysed in composite samples after one growing season. A total of 208 m-toluate tolerating bacteria were isolated and screened with m-toluate tolerance and utilization tests, and the catechol test. Seventy-nine isolates were characterized with (GTG)₅-PCR genomic fingerprinting and 16S rRNA gene PCR-RFLP ribotyping. Only 10% of the isolated strains were able to degrade m-toluate. Most of the m-toluate utilizing bacteria were catechol positive indicating the existence of a TOL plasmid. Rhizosphere effect of G. orientalis was manifested in oil-contaminated soil. G. orientalis and Pseudomonas bioaugmentation increased the amount of bacteria in oil-contaminated soil. G. orientalis especially together with Pseudomonas bioaugmentation increased the numbers of m-toluate utilizing and catechol positive bacteria in the soil samples indicating an increase in degradation potential. The rhizosphere of G. orientalis increased also the diversity of bacteria. More ribotypes were found in soils treated with G. orientalis and P. putida PaW85 compared to the untreated soil, but the diversity of the m-toluate utilizing bacteria did not significantly increase.     

Effects of 'Agri-SC' soil conditioner on soil structure and erodibility: some further observations

Abstract. In field and laboratory experiments the conditioner‘Agri-SC’has shown improvements in the structure of loamy sand soils in east Shropshire, UK. It resulted in statistically significant decreases in soil bulk density values and increases in soil porosity and aggregate stability. Further experiments are in progress on both loamy sand and silt loam soils.     

耕作方式与土壤调理剂互作对花生产量和品质的影响

采用大田裂区随机区组设计试验,研究了耕作方式(垄作、平作)与土壤调理剂互作对花生产量及品质的影响。结果表明,垄作方式比平作方式花生增产5.7％~12.0％;无论是平作或垄作方式下,与对照相比,施用不同土壤调理剂均能使花生增产,增产幅度分别为7.4％~18.6％、5.6％~25.6％,不同土壤调理剂对花生增产的大小顺序为秸秆灰分>生物炭>腐植酸。垄作和土壤调理剂互作能显著增加花生的饱果数、百果重、出仁率、花生株高、侧枝长、分枝数和结果枝数,提高花生籽粒中的氮、磷和钾含量,增加花生蛋白质和粗脂肪的产量。本试验条件下,采用起垄与增施秸秆灰分互作的处理的花生产量、蛋白质产量和粗脂肪产量均最高。     

Activation of the biochemical processes in an oil-contaminated soil using a light-correcting film and humic acids

It was shown that the use of a light-correcting film as a covering material for an oil-contaminated soil in combination with humic acids increased the number of the main physiological groups of the soil microorganisms responsible for the development of the soil’s fertility (heterotrophic bacteria, actinomycetes, and micromycetes) by 60–100 times. The activity of the soil enzymes (catalase, dehydrogenase, polyphenoloxidase, peroxidase, and urease) increased by 3–6 times. The biochemical oxidation of oil hydrocarbons in the soil became significantly more intense.     

Proteome analysis of greenhouse-cultured lettuce with the natural soil mineral conditioner illite

The natural soil mineral conditioner illite effectively improved the germination and growth of lettuce when applied in particulate or powdered form. When illite was given in particulate and powdered forms, the germination rate of lettuce seeds improved remarkably up to 93% and 133%, respectively. Contrary to the developmental effects, the growth rate of lettuce treated with particulate illite improved slightly by 23%; powdered illite had no significant effects on lettuce growth rate. Thus, illite primarily affects seed germination rather than the growth of lettuce. To examine illite-induced proteins related to lettuce growth, differentially expressed proteins in lettuce leaves were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight/time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS) followed by Mascot search. From the proteomic analysis, five down-regulated proteins were identified related to storage protein, carbon metabolism and energy conversion. Three up-regulated proteins were related to energy production/conversion and carbon fixation. These results demonstrate that illite treatment as a soil conditioner helps lettuce seed germination and lettuce growth by regulating carbon metabolic flux.     

Cadmium and zinc availability in soil irrigated with sludge containing a cationic conditioner

Tomato plants (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill, ‘Red Cherry Small’), grown in 15 cm diameter plastic pots with a standard greenhouse medium (1:1:1, by volume, soil:peat:sand) were irrigated for 15 weeks with liquid sewage sludge containing a liquid cationic conditioner (Petroset SB, Phillips Petroleum Company, Bartlesville, Oklahoma) to determine the effect of the conditioner on Cd and Zn availability. Half of the plants received 50 ml week^?1 liquid digested sludge with no conditioner and half of the plants received 50 ml week^?1 sludge containing 0.25 ml conditioner (200:1, by volume, sludge:conditioner). Plant height was measured weekly. Plants were harvested 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 weeks after sludge treatments began and separated into roots, shoots, and fruits for dry weight determination and Cd and Zn analyses. Soil and sludge crusts were sampled at the same times and analyzed for extractable concentrations of Cd and Zn. Dry weights of plants grown with conditioned sludge were similar to those grown with nonconditioned sludge. Plants with conditioner flowered and fruited one and two weeks earlier, respectively, than plants without conditioned. Six weeks after treatments began, when the plants had grown to their greatest height, Cd concentrations in sludge crusts, soil, and roots receiving conditioner were 2.0, 1.5, and 2.1 times greater, respectively, than crusts, soil and roots not receiving conditioner. After the six weeks sampling time, Cd concentrations in crusts, soil, and roots receiving conditioned sludge were similar to those in crusts, soil, and roots receiving nonconditioned sludge. At the third-week sampling time, shoots of plants grown with conditioner had 2.6 times more Cd than shoots of plants grown without conditioner. Cadmium concentrations in shoots from both treatments were similar at later sampling dates. Cadmium content of fruits was the same for both treatments all sampling times. Zinc content of roots, shoots, fruits soil, and sludge crusts was no affected by the conditioner. Results showed that a cationic conditioner, added to sludge, increased the availability of Cd, but not of zn, for tomato plants until maximum height was reached.     

Evaluation of bacterial strains isolated from oil-contaminated soil for production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA)

Samples of eight geographically distinct soils contaminated with crude oil were screened for polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) producing bacterial strains. Twenty three bacterial strains were able to accumulate PHA when sodium gluconate or sodium octanoate was used as the sole carbon source. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing identified bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Sphingobacterium, Brochothrix, Caulobacter, Ralstonia, Burkholderia and Yokenella. Three of the bacterial strains have never been reported to produce PHA. The phylogenetic analysis of the PHA synthase (phaC) gene of these bacteria showed a close homology with the phaC gene of different Pseudomonas species.This study indicates that stressed environments like oil-contaminated sites can be potential sources of medium-chain-length PHA producers.     

Bioremediation of Mangroves Impacted by Petroleum

The majority of oil from oceanic oil spills (e.g. the recent accident in the Gulf of Mexico) converges on coastal ecosystems such as mangroves. Microorganisms are directly involved in biogeochemical cycles as key drivers of the degradation of many carbon sources, including petroleum hydrocarbons. When properly understood and managed, microorganisms provide a wide range of ecosystem services, such as bioremediation, and are a promising alternative for the recovery of impacted environments. Previous studies have been conducted with emphasis on developing and selecting strategies for bioremediation of mangroves, mostly in vitro, with few field applications described in the literature. Many factors can affect the success of bioremediation of oil in mangroves, including the presence and activity of the oil-degrading microorganisms in the sediment, availability and concentration of oil and nutrients, salinity, temperature and oil toxicity. More studies are needed to provide efficient bioremediation strategies to be applicable in large areas of mangroves impacted with oil. A major challenge to mangrove bioremediation is defining pollution levels and measuring recuperation of a mangrove. Typically, chemical parameters of pollution levels, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are used but are extremely variable in field measurements. Therefore, meaningful mangrove monitoring strategies must be developed. This review will present the state of the art of bioremediation in oil-contaminated mangroves, new data about the use of different mangrove microcosms with and without tide simulation, the main factors that influence the success of bioremediation in mangroves and new prospects for the use of molecular tools to monitor the bioremediation process. We believe that in some environments, such as mangroves, bioremediation may be the most appropriate approach for cleanup. Because of the peculiarities and heterogeneity of these environments, which hinder the use of other physical and chemical analyses, we suggest that measuring plant recuperation should be considered with reduction in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This is a crucial discussion because these key marine environments are threatened with worldwide disappearance. We highlight the need for and suggest new ways to conserve, protect and restore these environments.     

Evaluation of bacterial strains isolated from oil-contaminated soil for production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA)

Samples of eight geographically distinct soils contaminated with crude oil were screened for polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) producing bacterial strains. Twenty three bacterial strains were able to accumulate PHA when sodium gluconate or sodium octanoate was used as the sole carbon source. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing identified bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Sphingobacterium, Brochothrix, Caulobacter, Ralstonia, Burkholderia and Yokenella. Three of the bacterial strains have never been reported to produce PHA. The phylogenetic analysis of the PHA synthase (phaC) gene of these bacteria showed a close homology with the phaC gene of different Pseudomonas species.This study indicates that stressed environments like oil-contaminated sites can be potential sources of medium-chain-length PHA producers.     

Effect of an anionic soil conditioner on water stable aggregation of three Hawaiian soils

Abstract

The primary purpose of soil conditioner application is to enhance a soil's resistance to erosion processes by increasing the water stability of aggregates. In this study, a wrist‐action shaker was used to assess the aggregate stability of three Hawaiian soils treated with an anionic surfactant soil conditioner (AGRI‐SC). Aggregates of 2.00 to 4.00 mm in size were treated with Agri‐SC at rates of 1 to 100,000 times the manufacturer‐recommended rate of 0.30 L ha^‐1. The manufacturer‐recommended application rate of Agri‐SC was effective for only the most stable soil tested (Kaneloa Oxisol), ineffective for the Lualualei Vertisol, and adversely effective for the Molokai Oxisol. For higher application rates ranging from 10 to 10,000 times recommended, stability of large aggregate fractions increased for the Kaneloa Oxisol. In sharp contrast, the same application rates decreased aggregate stability of the Molokai Oxisol. For the third, least stable soil (Lualualei Vertisol), Agri‐SC was relatively ineffective, except at very high application rates (1, 000 and 10, 000 times recommend). Finally, at the extremely high application rate of 100, 000 times recommended, aggregates for all soils were peptized. These results suggest that careful attention should be given to the application of soil conditioners with anionic surfactants as active ingredients, for aggregate response to various application rates appears to be soil dependent.     

The influence of the soil conditioner ‘Agri-SC' on splash detachment and aggregate stability

The influence of the soil conditioner ‘Agri-SC' on splash detachment and water-stable aggregation of an erodible clay Vertisol from Oahu, HI, was assessed. Laboratory rainfall simulation was used to assess splash detachment from soil treated with 0 (untreated control), 0.3, 3.0, 30, and 300 l ha⁻¹ of Agri-SC. Results indicated that the quantity of sediment splashed was significantly lower for Agri-SC application rates of 0.3 and 3.0 l ha⁻¹ (rates are equivalent to 1 and 10 times the manufacturer's recommended rates, respectively), than for the control, or for Agri-SC applied at 30 and 300 l ha⁻¹ (100 and 1000×, respectively). A second experiment was designed to test the influence of Agri-SC on water-stable aggregation of the Vertisol. Aggregates were subjected to rapid immersion in solution, shaken and washed through a series of sieves. Data indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in geometric mean aggregate diameter between the untreated and treated aggregates. The effect of the active ingredient, ammonium laureth sulfate (an anionic surface active agent) on splash and erodibility are discussed. These preliminary results indicate that further testing of Agri-SC is warranted on a variety of soils with different textures and mineralogies.     

微生物与有机肥混合剂修复石油污染土壤的研究

采用含有4种菌的菌剂与多种有机肥联合修复石油污染土壤,通过盆栽实验对不同浓度菌剂处理土壤中的石油烃降解率、16种多环芳烃（PAHs）浓度、脱氢酶活性、pH、阳离子交换量和微生物多样性等变化进行了研究。结果表明,腐植酸、诺沃肥和生物有机钙等有机肥和菌剂（4%处理）的加入使土壤盐碱环境得到明显改善,土壤pH稳定于6.9,阳离子交换量为201.94cmol·kg-1;对比4个不同浓度菌剂处理的效果,4%菌剂处理与有机肥联合作用修复效果最显著,石油烃降解率可达到73%,大部分所测PAHs浓度显著降低,其中萘、蒽、苯并（a）芘和苯并（g,h,i）芘降解率分别达到了65.5%、57.7%、74.7%和55.5%,土壤微生物数量增加,多样性更为丰富。     

Physicochemical characteristics of a new organic soil conditioner from composted sludges from a pulp deinking process

Abstract

A new organic soil‐conditioner from composted sludge produced from a newspaper deinking process was examined compared with raw uncomposted sludge, its physical and chemical characteristics tested in order to study its effectiveness. The water‐holding capacity of the conditioner was almost 7.6 and 1.8 times higher than that of the pure soil and the raw sludge, respectively, and remained stable at temperatures between 9°C and 27°C. The composted sludge had a 53% organic matter content and 35% in humic substances which was 3.5 and 2.0 times lighter than the pure soil and the raw sludge. Incorporation of this‐material into the soil in concentrations of up to 25% resulted in a 1.7 times increase of the water‐holding capacity of the mixture, whereas 90% of the water‐holding capacity was achieved in less than 10 min. The apparent density of the mixture was decreased and was not affected by the residence time of the samples into the water. The pH of the mixture's eluates was shifted to higher values (pH=7.0). The specific conductivity of the eluates was increased. Due to this parameter, a limit was observed in the use of this conditioner. The amount of ammonium‐nitrogen (NH ‐N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu)⁴, and manganese (Mn) in the eluates increased, while the amount of potassium (K) and iron (Fe) decreased in comparison to what would be expected from the separate contributions of soil and conditioner. Therefore, there exists an interaction between this material and soil that occurs when the conditioner is incorporated into soil.     

A new method for assessing soil microorganism diversity and evidence of vitamin deficiency in low diversity communities

Summary A proposed new method for assessing the diversity of a soil microbial community is based on the species-typical ester-linked phospholipid fatty acids in the membranes of living cells. Soils that support only a few dominant species (bacteria, fungi, protozoa or algae) are expected to show few dominant fatty acids and vice versa. The phospholipid fatty-acid diversity in nine soils from Central Switzerland was calculated using Shannon's formula. By means of a respiration test, it was further established that the low-diversity soils responded significantly and positively (respiration increase) to small additions of a vitamin mixture containing thiamin, pyridoxin, calpan, folic acid, and biotin. The results indicate a connection between microbial diversity and a yet unspecified vitamin deficiency within the population. Whether the vitamin deficiency is the cause or the effect of the reduced diversity remains to be established.     

Assessment of earthworm burrowing efficiency in compacted soil with a combination of morphological and soil physical measurements

Summary Column experiments were carried out to quantify the effect of earthworms on compacted soil. The earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) were able to burrow into soil which was artificially compacted to a pore volume as low as 40%; they may also penetrate an artificial plough pan deep in the soil. The effect of the burrowing activity of Lumbricus terrestris was quantified by measuring hydraulic conductivities and infiltration rates through the whole soil column (19 cm wide, 40 cm long). Morphological parameters, mainly the vertically projected burrow depth, were correlated with the saturated hydraulic conductivity. The amount of casts deposited by Lumbricus terrestris on the soil surface increased with the degree of soil compaction. The bulk density of casts was always less than that of the original soil.