Optimal nitrate concentration for the biodegradation of n-heptadecane in a variably- saturated sand column

摘要

Bioremediationof oil spills on beaches commonly involves the addition of nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) to stimulate the growth of indigenous oil-degrading bacteria. Very little information is available regarding the relationship between nutrient concentration and the rate of oil biodegradation. This information is necessary to design an appropriate nutrient delivery technology. We used continuous-flow beach microcosms containing heptadecane-coated sand (2.0 g per kg of dry sand) to evaluate the effect of nitrate concentration on the hydrocarbon biodegradation rate.