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The existence of large deposit of crude oil in the Nigerian Niger-Delta accords the region a strategic position in the country’s economy. However, activities associated with the oil and gas industry have resulted in extensive and in some instances indelible damages on the ecosystems. The destructive effect of hydrocarbon on bionetwork necessitated this study that aimed at evaluating the potential of adopting microbial and biosurfactant technology as tools for bioremediation. The research involved gas chromatography monitoring of hydrocarbon degradation in polluted soil, microbiological/molecular identification of hydrocarbon degraders and the evaluation of biosurfactant production by indigenous bacteria. The performance of four treatments involving; co-treatment with mixed bacterial consortium and close-to-nature surfactants (Bioversal QF and Bioversal UK), treatments with mixed bacteria culture, single bacteria culture and treatment with close-to-nature surfactants only were evaluated for the mineralization of hydrocarbons contained in 500g of 2% crude oil contaminated soil supplemented with Na2HPO4*2H2O, KH2PO4 and NH4Cl as nutrient sources over a period of 20 weeks. Six indigenous biosurfactant producing and/or hydrocarbon degrading bacteria strains were isolated namely: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus sp, Achromobacter sp, Stenotrophonas sp, Lysinibacillus sp. and Delftia sp. Molecular characterization of sequenced polymerase chain reaction products of these cultured bacteria using Nucleotide Basic Local Alignment Search Tool confirmed close relationships ranging from 98.83% to 100% with those on the NCBI databank. Co-treatment with mixed bacteria culture and Bioversal UK/Bioversal QF yielded synergetic impact that enhanced 73.35% and 71.52% degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbon respectively. Treatments with close-to-nature surfactants and with mix bacterial culture recorded 53.61% and 54.58%. The use of single bacteria strains resulted in the mineralization of 46% - 62.26% total petroleum hydrocarbon while their use as a consortium yielded 54%. Liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry assessment of extracellular polymeric substances produced by cultured bacteria strains indicated the presence of rhamnolipids (L-rhamnosyl-3-hydroxydecanoyl-3-hydroxydecanoic acid with a mass of 504.654 Da) and lipopeptides (2-(Hydroxymethyl) phenyl 6-O-palmitoyl-β-D-glucopyranoside with a mass of 524.687 Da). Extracellular polymeric substances produced yielded emulsion index ranging from 70.70% to 75% and 39% to 65% with crude oil and heptane respectively. EPS yields ranging from 1.34 g/ml to 1.5 g/ml were recorded.
Rapidly developing countries are facing severe environmental problems at an extent that industrialized countries did not have to solve in comparable periods. Freshwaters belong to the ecosystems with the most severe impacts despite they are one of the most vital resources. The Lerma River is one example of a heavily degraded freshwater ecosystem in the rapidly developing country of Mexico. A number of NGOs and governmental institutions have made great efforts to elaborate strategies for the restoration and rehabilitation of the river system during the last years. Scientists from different disciplines and institutions met for a workshop at ININ in February 2009 to discuss the actual degradation of the upper Lerma River and argue about solutions for its sustainable restoration. This also included the presentation and discussion of new technologies that are currently in an experimental stage, but have the potential to solve different river pollution problems in the near future.
Four column reactors working as a Submerged Fixed Bed Reactor were studied under laboratory conditions in order to stimulate conditions affecting the bioremediation of diesel and gasoline. The objective was to adapt the processes of bioremediation of diesel and gasoline in a Fixed Bed column reactor to the specific conditions of groundwater contamination that are present in Mexico (Refinery of Salamanca) in order to obtain drinking water. The method consists of the constant monitoring of diesel biodegradation inside a reactor filled with an organic material working in parallel with recirculation. After degrading organic pollutants, concentration should either be undetectable or, if detectable, below the limits established as safe or acceptable by international law appropriated to Mexico. The results show that the concentrations required by the German Law of drinking water were met with 0.1 mg/L for total hydrocarbons and 0.001 mg/L for Benzene.