Effect of dispersants on the biodegradation of South Louisiana crude oil at 5 and 25 °C. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhuang, Mobing; Abulikemu, Gulizhaer; Campo, Pablo; Platten, William E.; Suidan, Makram T.; Venosa, Albert D.; Conmy, Robyn N.
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 144(2016)
• Page Start: 767
• Page End: 774
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Dispersants -- JD-2000 -- Corexit 9500 -- Biodegradation -- Crude oil -- Surfactant; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.08.040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: This article reports biodegradation rates for a commercial dispersant, JD-2000, South Louisiana crude oil (SLC) alone, and SLC dispersed with JD-2000 at 5 and 25 °C. Results from the biodegradation experiments revealed that Component X, a chemical marker for JD-2000, rapidly degraded at both temperatures. The application of JD-2000 decreased by half the overall biodegradation rate of aliphatic compounds at 25 °C. At 5 °C, a residual fraction consisting of iso - and n -alkanes (C29 –C35 ) persisted after 56 d. The combination of dispersant and higher temperature resulted in faster removal rates for 2- and 3-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. When compared with Corexit 9500, our results suggest that the chemistry of the surfactant (or surfactants) in JD-2000 might have favored oil dissolution (substrate transport to the aqueous phase) as an uptake mechanism over adhesion, which requires direct contact of the biomass with the oil. Highlights: Biodegradation of light crude oil dispersed with JD-2000 by indigenous microorganisms. Comparison with tests conducted with Corexit 9500. The different roles of the two dispersants in microbial degradation. Biodegradability of surfactant ingredients in JD-2000 and Corexit 9500.