Bioremediation of oil polluted marine sediments: A bio-engineering treatment

Authors

  • Simone Cappello Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina
  • Rosario Calogero 1.Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina. 2.Ph.D. School in Applied Biology and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina.
  • Santina Santisi 1.Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina. 2.Ph.D School in Biology and Cellular Biotechnology, University of Messina.
  • Maria Genovese Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina.
  • Renata Denaro Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina.
  • Lucrezia Genovese Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina.
  • Laura Giuliano Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina.
  • Giuseppe Mancini Ph.D School in Biology and Cellular Biotechnology, University of Messina.
  • Michail M. Yakimov Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC)-CNR of Messina.

Keywords:

bioremediation, biostimulation, chronically polluted sediments, oil-degrading bacteria, Corophium orientale (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

Abstract

The fate of hydrocarbon pollutants and the development of oil-degrading indigenous marine bacteria in contaminated sediments are strongly influenced by abiotic factors such as temperature, low oxygen levels, and nutrient availability. In this work, the effects of different biodegradation processes (bioremediation) on oil-polluted anoxic sediments were analyzed. In particular, as a potential bioremediation strategy for polluted sediments, we applied a prototype of the “Modular Slurry System” (MSS), allowing containment of the sediments and their physical-chemical treatment (by air insufflations, temperature regulation, and the use of a slow-release fertilizer). Untreated polluted sediments served as the blank in a non-controlled experiment. During the experimental period (30 days), bacterial density and biochemical oxygen demand were measured and functional genes were identified by screening. Quantitative measurements of pollutants and an eco-toxicological analysis (mortality of Corophium orientale) were carried out at the beginning and end of the experiments. The results demonstrated the high biodegradative capability achieved with the proposed technology and its strong reduction of pollutant concentrations and thus toxicity. [Int Microbiol 2015; 18(2):127-134]

Keywords: bioremediation · biostimulation · chronically polluted sediments · oil-degrading bacteria · Corophium orientale (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

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Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2015)

Section

Research Articles

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