Abstract
A microcosm test was designed to study the efficiency of bioremediation
treatments at oil contaminated shorelines. The biodegradation in the
hermetically closed microcosm was monitored by measuring the total cumulative
inorganic carbon evolved during the bioremediation process. The effects of
three different additives, medium-release methylene urea (MU) + apatite,
fast-release MU + superphosphate, and a biosorbent, on the biodegradation of
weathered crude oil (North Sea Brent) were evaluated at +10°C. All the
additives significantly increased mineralization. The total amount of
inorganic carbon evolved during the 10-week study was measured in the
microcosm treated with oil, and with oil and medium-release MU + apatite,
fast-release MU + superphos-phate, and biosorbent. The amounts were 40, 670,
490, and 580 mg, respectively. The respirometric measurements were supported
by microbiological determinations, ATP content in the sand, number of
heterotrophic bacteria, and amount of biomass-C determined by the
substrate-induced respiration method. Nutrient analysis indicated that
biodegradation was nitrogen limited. The microcosm test proved to be
suitable for comparing the effectiveness of different treatments in enhancing
the biodegradation of crude oil-contaminated shores.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 143-158 |
| Journal | Bioremediation Journal |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
| MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- biodegradation
- bioremediation
- crude oil
- simulation
- mineralization
- shore