Microbial Activity and Decomposition of Soil Organic Matter in Roadside Soils Contaminated With Petroleum Hydrocarbons. Issue 6 (15th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mykhailova, Larysa; Fischer, Thomas; Iurchenko, Valentina
• Is Part Of: Clean. Volume 46:Issue 6(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-05-15
• Subjects: biodegradation -- bioremediation -- crude oil -- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) -- soil; Water quality -- Periodicals; Water -- Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Periodicals; Water chemistry -- Periodicals; 333.7205
• DOI: 10.1002/clen.201800132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-0650

Abstract

Abstract : Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) are the most widespread organic pollutants of roadside soils, the reclamation of which is costly due to large areas affected, and natural PHs biodegradation is the only way of mitigating negative ecological consequences. This study aimed to investigate the microbial response to PHs in roadside soils and to identify soil organic matter (SOM) and PHs involved in biodegradation processes. To address this aim, soil respiration is related to light (chain‐length ≤C14) medium (C15–C27), and heavy fractions (≥C28) of total PHs, and to SOM components: carbohydrates, proteins, lignin, aliphates, carbonyl/carboxyl, and char amounts of soils sampled at distances of up to 100 m from three roads in Kharkiv, Ukraine. A close relation between soil respiration and ratio of the light fraction to the sum of medium and heavy alkane fractions indicate the preferential mineralization of more biodegradable light PHs fractions. A positive relation between soil respiration and carbohydrate C, as well as negative correlation with aliphatic C, indicate preferred degradation of carbohydrates compared to more recalcitrant aliphates. Carbohydrate content increased and aliphatic C decreased with distance from the roads, and carbohydrates decreased with PHs concentration, indicating increased degradation of carbohydrates at high PHs concentrations (positive priming). It is concluded that microorganisms generate the energy required for PHs degradation by enhanced oxidation of native SOM where carbohydrates were of paramount importance. Abstract : Biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons is the only cost‐efficient way of mitigating negative ecological consequences on widespread organic roadside contaminations. Soil organic matter fractions and petroleum hydrocarbons involved in biodegradation in roadside soils are investigated. Energy for biodegradation is generated by enhanced microbial oxidation of native soil carbohydrates (positive priming).