Bioremediation of contaminated mixtures of desert mining soil and sawdust with fuel oil by aerated in-vessel composting in the Atacama Region (Chile)

Ex-Situ Remediation Technologies for Environmental Pollutants: A Critical Perspective

“…Suthar and Singh ( 2008 ) tested the feasibility of using vermicomposting technology to remediate metals (44 % Zn, 34 % Fe, 46 % Mn and 26 % Cu) from distillery sludge, recommending that earthworms can enhance nutrient profi le and mitigate metal toxicity in the sludge which might be useful in sustainable land restoration practices at a low-input basis. Another feasibility study of aerated in-vessel composting was conducted at bench-scale by Godoy-Faundez et al ( 2008 ) as a biodegradation strategy to remediate polluted sawdust (fuel concentration of >225,000 mg/kg) and desert mining soils (fuel concentration of >50,000 mg/kg) in the Atacama region. After 56 days of treatments, about 35 and 50 % removal of pollutants was observed in the contaminated soil reactors and sawdust, respectively.…”

An Investigation of Presumptive Synergism of Oil Palm Bunch Ash and Sawdust Amendments in Remediation of crude oil Spiked Soil

“…Studies on amendment of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soil with oil palm bunch material and sawdust reported significant reduction of soil total hydrocarbon content (Amajuoyi and Wemedo, 2015;Godoy-Faundez et al, 2008).…”

Evaluation of constraints in bioremediation of weathered hydrocarbon-contaminated arid soils through microcosm biopile study

“…In addition to these challenges, bioremediation might not be successful if the mining site contains weathered compounds, because more serious difficulties are encountered due to the pollutant sequestration; the organic compounds are retained on organic and mineral components of the soil by sorption or partitioning processes (Alexander 2000). To date, there have been few studies investigating the applicability of biopile treatment for contaminated soils in arid regions with a typical low organic matter and nutrient content, and a high content of weathered hydrocarbons (Balba et al 1998;Godoy-Faúndez et al 2008). Biopile remediation studies conducted in the Atacama desert (Chile) concluded that the bioremediation of aged, fuel oil-contaminated desert mining soils was feasible through aerated, in-vessel composting and incorporation of sawdust into the soils (Godoy-Faúndez et al 2008).…”

“…To date, there have been few studies investigating the applicability of biopile treatment for contaminated soils in arid regions with a typical low organic matter and nutrient content, and a high content of weathered hydrocarbons (Balba et al 1998;Godoy-Faúndez et al 2008). Biopile remediation studies conducted in the Atacama desert (Chile) concluded that the bioremediation of aged, fuel oil-contaminated desert mining soils was feasible through aerated, in-vessel composting and incorporation of sawdust into the soils (Godoy-Faúndez et al 2008). Rhykerd et al (1999) similarly reported that 60 % of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) contamination was removed from desert soils after 8 months by compost soil pile treatment in Kuwait.…”