To remediate crude oil-contaminated soil, poultry droppings and sunflower seed husk were incorporated at various concentrations. Initially, the pH, moisture content, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen content, and bacterial population of soil, poultry droppings, and sunflower seed husk were determined. The initial bacterial population was 35 × 10 8 colony forming units/g soil (dry weight basis). The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content in crude oil-contaminated soil was 7,048.4 mg/kg, in which 857.9 mg/kg accounted for eicosane. Naphthalene and acenaphthalene were the two polyhydroxy aromatic hydrocarbons present in soil at low concentrations. After the amendment, the pH, moisture content, microbial population, and TPH content of soil were determined on days 20, 40, and 60. The TPH concentration was considerably decreased in the treatment T4 wherein 250 g of soil was mixed with 125 g of poultry droppings and 125 g of sunflower seed husk. The indigenous bacterial population was also increased tremendously. The dehydrogenase enzyme activity was increased in the amended soil (T4: 0.74 ± 0.06 µg TPF/g/h). After the treatment of soil, the germination percentage and vigour index of maize, lady's finger and tomato seeds were enhanced.
Coliforms and microplastic pollution are major issues prevailing in the estuarine ecosystem. At present, the Adyar river in Chennai, Tamil Nadu is under threat due to sewage disposal and solid waste dumping. In the present investigation surface water samples were collected from five sampling locations and analyzed for coliforms, microplastics (MPs), and the development of biofilm. The maximum coliform population of 75±6-228±12 MPN/100mL was observed during the pre-monsoon period. The MP content was in the range of 90-230 particles /L, 70-210 particles/L, and 90-190 particles/L for pre-monsoon, post-monsoon, and summer seasons respectively. The development of black crystalline colonies on Congo Red Agar (CRA) medium explained the occurrence of biofilm in the study area. Further, biofilm formation was higher during summer when compared with that of pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The plastic particles collected from the sampling locations were having rough surfaces. More bacterial colonies were observed on polyethylene (PE) MPs when compared with that of polyamide (PA) and Nylon under laboratory conditions.
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