Comparative assessment of soil microbial community in crude oil contaminated sites. (1st July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yerulker, Guneshwari; Patel, Priya; Chafale, Ayushi; Rathod, Visha; Das, Sandeep; Pandey, Piyush; Khan, Noor Afshan; Devi, Arundhuti; Munshi, Nasreen S.; Dhodapkar, Rita; Kapley, Atya
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 328(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-07-01
• Subjects: Microbial community -- Crude oil contamination -- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) -- Refinery sludge -- Aging; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121578
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Petroleum refineries generate oily sludge that contains hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and hence, its proper disposal is of foremost concern. Analysis of the physicochemical properties and functions of indigenous microbes of the contaminated sites are essential in deciding the strategy for bioremediation. This study analyses both parameters at two geographically distant sites, with different crude oil sources, and compares the metabolic capability of soil bacteria with reference to different contamination sources and the age of the contaminated site. The results indicate that organic carbon and total nitrogen derived from petroleum hydrocarbon negatively affect microbial diversity. Contamination levels vary widely on site, with levels of PAHs ranging from 5.04 to 1.66 × 10 3 μg kg −1 and 6.20 to 5.64 × 10 3 μg kg −1 in Assam and Gujarat sites respectively, covering a higher proportion of low molecular weight (LMW) PAHs (fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, and anthracene). Functional diversity values were observed to be positively correlated (p < 0.05) with acenaphthylene, fluorene, anthracene, and phenanthrene. Microbial diversity was the highest in fresh oily sludge which decreased upon storage, indicating that immediate bioremediation, soon after its generation, would be beneficial. Improvement in the bio-accessibility of hydrocarbon compounds by the treatment of biosurfactant produced by a (soil isolate/isolate) was demonstrated., with respect to substrate utilization. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Aged oil contaminated soil alters the soil physiochemical and native microflora. Bioavailability and sequestration reduce as molecular weight of hydrocarbon increases. Longer and improper sludge storage negatively impact microbial community survival. Functional microbial diversity was found high for fresh oily sludge. Biosurfactant enhanced substrate utilization improving microbial potential for bioremediation.