Heavy oil, characterised by its complex hydrocarbon composition and inherent resistance to biodegradation, represents a persistent environmental contaminant. Despite extensive industrial usage, the understanding of its biodegradability under varying environmental conditions remains limited. This study systematically investigates the biodegradation potential of heavy oil by indigenous microbial consortia derived from soil and water samples, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Using gas chromatography to quantify residual hydrocarbons, it was demonstrated that aerobic soil-derived microbial communities achieve superior degradation efficiencies, with removal rates reaching up to 80.3%, significantly outperforming water-derived consortia, which attained a maximum of 52.1%. In contrast, anaerobic conditions markedly inhibit biodegradation, with maximum removal efficiencies of 43.7% and 11.1% for water- and soil-derived microbes, respectively. Correlative analyses reveal a positive association between initial microbial biomass—particularly heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria—and degradation performance. The persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions underscores the recalcitrance of certain heavy oil fractions. These findings elucidate the pivotal roles of microbial community composition and oxygen availability in governing biodegradation dynamics, providing critical insights for optimising bioremediation strategies. Nonetheless, technological challenges persist, including incomplete mineralisation of heavy oil residues and suboptimal oxygen transfer in heterogeneous, large-scale sites. Addressing these issues will require the refinement of microbial consortia, the advancement of innovative biostimulation techniques, and the integration of complementary remediation technologies. Such developments hold substantial promise for delivering sustainable, cost-effective solutions to mitigate heavy oil pollution across diverse industrial and natural environments.
Author(s) Details
YOUNG-CHEOL CHANG
Muroran Institute of Technology, Japan.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mono/978-81-992493-6-3
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