THE STUDY OF REHABILITAION OF HYDROCARBON CONTAMINATED SOIL USING BIOREMEDIAL MICROBES

Jabulani Siyabonga, Shandu
2006 unpublished
The study investigated the feasibility of bion:mediation as a treatment option for cbronically dieseI-oil-polluted soil at petroleum and gas depot ofOilco (a company that is a division of Shell) situated at the east side of Empangeni which is in the Northern KwaZul~Natal province, South Africa. To examine the efficiency ofbioaugmentatiOll, the contaminated site was tn:ated with microbes, (previously isolated from the diesel-contaminated soil) to a depth of±l, 2 meters, ±5 meters wide and 2
more » ... s in length, plus the woodsbavings as their nutrient source. The effectiveness ofbioremediation was observed over a period of I I weeks and samples were taken at I~y intervals. Over that period of I I weeks, the changes in hydrocarbon concentrations were monitored in the soil and soil leachate and the accompanying changes in the soil microbial counts and activity. A significant reduction in the diesel-oil level could be achieved. The BTEX method was used in GeMS to check for changes in TPH. Prior to GeMS analysis the soil texture was analyzed using the Particle Size Determination method and the soil ~ observed to be sandy-loam (Day, 1995). For checking the soil microbial counts 8nd activity the following groups of microbes were observed Aerobic Total Counts, Nitrofyers. NiIrosofyers and Free-living nitrogenfixing bacteria (Cban,eL oI, 1993). The four groups of microbial counts were used as a biological parameter, and there was a correlation between each other as well as with the residual hydrocarbon concentIation, indicating the importance of biodegradation. The effect of biostimulation of the indigenous soil microorganisms declined with time during the study. i DECLARATION I declare that this dissertation hereby submitted to the University ofZululand for the degree ofMaster of Science has not been previously submitted by me for a degree at this or other University. that it is my own work in design and execution. and that all :material contained therein has been duly acknowledged. Date ii • DEDICATION I dedicate this work mostly to my father, uNdabezitha, uMthiya ngankomo abafoka23Jla bethiya ngamah 1 ahla, and my mother, uMaviJakazi, Mphephethwa, if it wasn't for the encouragement from the two of you I don't think I would have come this far. You are undoubtedly the best parents one could ever ask for. iii • ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
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