Microbial petroleum degradation enhancement by oil spill bioremediation products

Abstract

Biodegradation of an artificially weathered crude oil (Alaska North Slope) was compared using 13 different oil spill bioremediation agents. All products were evaluated under identical conditions emulating a marine environment. The research was conducted using unpolluted, natural seawater. The products were tested in triplicate using 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks and evaluated over a 28 day period to determine the products' capabilities based on the extent of petroleum degradation. Toxicity and petroleum chemistry data were used to assess the products' degrading capabilities. Total petroleum hydrocarbons analyses were completed on all the products. GC-MS analyses of the petroleum fractions helped to determine the concentration of target compounds for the products. Six products showed a significant extent of microbial degradation, however only one met the toxicity criteria. A total of 68 analytes were quantified from the six successful products. The petroleum hydrocarbons were significantly degraded by six treatments as compared with the nutrient and non-nutrient control. The saturate resolved hydrocarbons were reduced an average of 90% of the original weight, while the aromatic resolved hydrocarbons were degraded approximately 60%. The toxicity criteria reduced the initial number of products to one product only. Biodegradation to a lesser extent was also achieved by the indigenous microbial population with the addition of nutrients alone. Further research should be completed before considering any of these products for application in the field.