Microbial degradation of oil spills enhanced by a slow-release fertilizer

Abstract

The improved cleanup of marine oil spills by stimulating biodegradation through the use of a slow-release fertilizer is reported. A paraffin-supported fertilizer containing MgNH4PO4 as active ingredient was developed and evaluated in laboratory and field experiments using quantitative infrared spectrometry and chromatographic techniques. The biodegradation of Sarir crude oil in the sea was considerably enhanced by paraffin-supported fertilizer. After 21 days 63% had disappeared as compared to 40% in the control area.

Effects of amendments on biodegradation of crude petroleum by sediment bacteria from Bonny River Estuary

“…Enumeration of viable bacteria : Viable counts of heterotrophic and petroleum‐utilizing bacteria and determination of residual hydrocarbon contents were made after 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 days using the methods of Institute of Pollution Studies (IPS) (1988) and Olivieri et al . (1976) , respectively.…”

“…Several approaches at solving the problem of oil pollution have been described (Garret, 1969; Meijs et al ., 1969; Wang et al ., 1975; Olivieri et al ., 1976), but each has its limitations. Numerous investigators have studied the possibility of using microorganisms to increase the natural biodegradation of petroleum (Le‐Petit & Barthelemy, 1968; Byrom & Beastall, 1971; Atlas & Bartha, 1972; Mulkins‐Philips & Stewart, 1972; Soli & Bens, 1972; Schwarz et al ., 1974), but it is too slow to have any practical importance for oil clean‐up.…”

“…For bacteria to grow efficiently they require about ten parts carbon to one part nitrogen (Olivieri et al ., 1976). If the ratio is greater, e.g.…”

“…100 : 1 or 1000 : 1, growth of the bacteria and utilization of the carbon(s) will be retarded. In such situations, in addition to there being a nitrogen deficiency, other nutrients such as phosphorus may become growth‐rate limiting (Olivieri et al ., 1976). Since the common sources of nitrogen are water‐soluble salts, their use as ‘fertilizers’ for oil spills would be ineffective because of their dissolution in bulks of water without any appreciable improvement of biodegradation, and may lead to eutrophication (Olivieri et al ., 1976).…”

Uptake of crude petroleum hydrocarbons by mudflat bacteria exposed to nitrogenous fertilizer plant effluents

“…For bacteria to grow efficiently they require about ten parts carbon to one part nitrogen (Olivieri et al, 1976). If the ratio is greater such as can occur during oil spills, e.g.…”