Integrated biotechnology for oil-polluted soil cleanup

Abstract

Technologies with integrated resource applications are probable solutions to the problem of soil pollution with oil and petroleum products. Based on our assessment of the potential for the recultivation of a plot on the territory of a rigged out reservoir tank storage, a biotechnology, including both forestry residues and biological agents capable of enhancing soil remediation processes, was developed. After having been applied, the technology comprising the BIOTRIN biopreparation, the GEOLEX® biogeosorbent, bark-and-wood waste and seeds to promote revegetation showed a soil cleanup efficiency of 92–95% for 60 days. The dehydrogenase activity increased, confirming intense processes of pollutant oxidation. After 60 days, the plant cover with sown herbs reached 85%, which characterized the purified soil as having no inhibitory effect on the growth and development of plants.