THE DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ENRICHED MICROBIAL CULTURE FOR BIOREMEDIATION OF PETROLEUM CONTAMINATED SOIL

摘要

Trinidad and Tobago is known for its extensive reserves of oil and natural gas but faces major environmental challenges due to approximately 200 spills occurring on an annual basis. A study was done to develop and evaluate enriched cultures from natural petroleum seepage sites in Trinidad for potential bioremediation applications using small-scale reactors. The study investigated two seepages sites, the La Brea Pitch Lake and the Digity seepage, Penal. The microbial community flora and physiochemical parameters were analyzed. Enriched and pure cultures were obtained from a medium containing different hydrocarbon fractions representing the full spectrum of crude oil (aliphatic, aromatic and asphaltenes). The cultures were characterized for rates of degradation in a laboratory scale study where the Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon levels were monitored over a one-month period.