Effect of the Addition of Biomass Material on the Biodegradation of Diesel and Kerosene in Soil

摘要

A microcosm scale experiment was set up to evaluate the effect of the addition of chicken feathers 5% (w/w) on the biodegradation of diesel (27,000 ppm) and kerosene (24,000 ppm) in soil using a mixed bacterial culture with hydrocarbonoclastic and keratinolytic capacities. During six weeks, the authors monitored nitrogen content, phosphorus, pH, moisture, soluble protein, protease and lipase activity, and residual hydrocarbons content. The results showed that the addition of feathers had the best efficiency on the biodegradation of diesel (20,800 ppm) and kerosene (13,480 ppm) and, additionally, the feathers were simultaneously degraded.