Evaluation of the Potential Use of Microorganisms in the Cleanup of PetroleumHydrocarbon Spills in Soils

摘要

Soils and sediments at many military facilities have been contaminated withpetroleum hydrocarbons (gasoline, lubricating oil, diesel fuel, aviation fuel), often as a consequence of spills occurring during storage and/or active use. Various elements of the military are required to clean up contamination resulting from any activity on lands under their jurisdiction. Leakage occurring in underground storage tanks near ground water aquifers can be a particularly serious problem, resulting in contamination of ground water. The presence of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants in flooded soils and sediments can pose unacceptable toxic hazards to the environment. A study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of using native soil micro-flora to degrade diesel fuels, fuel oil, and motor oils within the soil matrix; to isolate and identify those environmental factors controlling the rate and extent of degradation; and to develop procedures to optimize the rate and extent of biodegradation achieved.