Enhanced Bioremediation of Petroleum Contaminated Soils through Cold-adapted Bacteria

The aim of this article is to develop an innovative microbial-enhanced aerobic bioremediation technique, which is viable within a western Canadian context where cold climate conditions exist. Soil samples from the petroleum contaminated Cantuar site, which is located in southwestern Saskatchewan, were picked up. A specific cold-adapted strain was screened and acquired. A regeneration/re-enhancement technology was then developed to obtain strains with highly environmentally adapted specifics. The performance of isolated inocula for bioremediation enhancement was examined in a batch scale reactor. Benzene removal rate in soil slurry was significantly increased after 45 days of treatment, resulting in that the added screened bacteria could adapt to the inherent cold environment and had enhanced the efficiencies of biodegradation. Relations among contaminants removal rate, microbial growth, and production of biosurfactants were tracked as well. Results showed a better understanding of the microbial activities during the biodegradation.