Mitigation of petroleum-hydrocarbon-contaminated hazardous soils using organic amendments: A review

Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons polluted soil by spent mushroom substrates: Microbiological structure and functionality

Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) holds valuable microbiota that can be useful in remediating polluted soils with hydrocarbons. However, the microorganisms behind the bioremediation process remain uncertain. In this work, a bioremediation assay of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) polluted soil by SMS application was performed to elucidate the microorganisms and consortia involved in biodegradation by a metabarcoding analysis. Untreated polluted soil was compared to seven bioremediation treatments by adding SMS of Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus ostreatus, and combinations. Soil microbial activity, TPH biodegradation, taxonomic classification, and predictive functional analysis were evaluated in the microbiopiles at 60 days. Different metagenomics approaches were performed to understand the impact of each SMS on native soil microbiota and TPHs biodegradation. All SMSs enhanced the degradation of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, being A. bisporus the most effective, promoting an efficient consortium constituted by the bacterial families Alcanivoraceae, Alcaligenaceae, and Dietziaceae along with the fungal genera Scedosporium and Aspergillus. The predictive 16 S rRNA gene study partially explained the decontamination efficacy by observing changes in the taxonomic structure of bacteria and fungi, and changes in the potential profiles of estimated degradative genes across the different treatments. This work provides new insights into TPHs bioremediation.

A metagenome-derived artificial intelligence modeling framework advances the predictive diagnosis and interpretation of petroleum-polluted groundwater

Groundwater (GW) quality monitoring is vital for sustainable water resource management. The present study introduced a metagenome-derived machine learning (ML) model aimed at enhancing the predictive understanding and diagnostic interpretation of GW pollution associated with petroleum. In this framework, taxonomic and metabolic profiles derived from GW metagenomes were combined for use as the input dataset. By employing strategies that optimized data integration, model selection, and parameter tuning, we achieved a significant increase in diagnostic accuracy for petroleum-polluted GW. Explanatory artificial intelligence techniques identified petroleum degradation pathways and Rhodocyclaceae as strong predictors of a pollution diagnosis. Metagenomic analysis corroborated the presence of gene operons encoding aminobenzoate and xylene biodegradation within the de novo assembled genome of Rhodocyclaceae. Our genome-centric metagenomic analysis thus clarified the ecological interactions associated with microbiomes in breaking down petroleum contaminants, validating the ML-based diagnostic results. This metagenome-derived ML framework not only enhances the predictive diagnosis of petroleum pollution but also offers interpretable insights into the interaction between microbiomes and petroleum. The proposed ML framework demonstrates great promise for use as a science-based strategy for the on-site monitoring and remediation of GW pollution.

Exploring the potential of horse amendment for the remediation of HCHs-polluted soils

This study assessed for the first time the bioremediation potential of an organic horse amendment in soils contaminated with solid wastes of the obsolete pesticide lindane (α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH) = 80 mg kg-1, β-HCH = 40 mg kg-1, γ,δ,ε-HCH≈10 mg kg-1) searching for a self-sufficient bio-based economy. Four treatments were implemented: polluted (PS, ΣHCHs = 130 mg kg-1) and control (CS, ΣHCHs = 1.24 mg kg-1) soils and the respective amended soils (APS and ACS). A commercial amendment, coming from organic wastes, was used for soil biostimulation (5% dry weight), and the temporal evolution of the enzymatic activity (dehydrogenase, β-glucosidase activity, phenoloxidase, arylamidase, phosphatase, and urease) and HCHs concentration of the soils was evaluated over 55 days under controlled humidity and temperature conditions. The horse amendment positively influenced the physicochemical properties of the soil by reducing pH (from 8.3 to 8) and increasing the organic matter (TOC from 0.5 to 3.3%) and nutrient content (P and NH4+ from 24.1 to 13.7 to 142.1 and 41.2 mg kg-1, respectively). Consequently, there was a notable enhancement in the soil biological activity, specifically in the enzymatic activity of dehydrogenase, phenol-oxidase, phosphatase, and urease and, therefore, in HCH degradation, which increased from <1 to 75% after the incubation period. According to the chlorine position on the cyclohexane ring, the following ranking has been found for HCHs degradation: β-HCH (46%) < ε-HCH (57%) < α-HCH (91%) ≈ δ-HCH (91%) < γ-HCH (100%). Pentachlorocyclohexene (PCCH) and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (1,2,4-TCB) were identified as HCHs degradation metabolites and disappeared at the end of the incubation time. Although further research is required, these preliminary findings suggest that organic amendments represent a sustainable, harmless, and cost-effective biostimulation approach for remediating soils contaminated with recalcitrant HCHs, boosting the circular economy.

Synergistic removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons and antibiotic resistance genes in Yellow River Delta wetlands contaminated soil composting regulated by biogas slurry addition

The interactive effects between the emerging contaminant antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the traditional pollutant total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in contaminated soils remain unclear. The synergistic removal of TPHs and ARGs from composted contaminated soil, along with the microbial mechanisms driven by the addition of biogas slurry, have not yet been investigated. This study explored the impact of biogas slurry on the synergistic degradation mechanisms and bacterial community dynamics of ARGs and TPHs in compost derived from contaminated soil. The addition of biogas slurry resulted in a reduction of targeted ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) by 9.96%-95.70% and 13.32%-97.66%, respectively. Biogas slurry changed the succession of bacterial communities during composting, thereby reducing the transmission risk of ARGs. Pseudomonas, Cellvibrio, and Devosia were identified as core microorganisms in the synergistic degradation of ARGs and TPHs. According to the partial least squares path model, temperature and NO3- indirectly influenced the removal of ARGs and TPHs by directly regulating the abundance and composition of host microbes and MGEs. In summary, the results of this study contribute to the high-value utilization of biogas slurry and provide methodological support for the low-cost remediation of contaminated soils.

Unveiling the capacity of bioaugmentation application, in comparison with biochar and rhamnolipid for TPHs degradation in aged hydrocarbons polluted soil

Persistent, aged hydrocarbons in soil hinder remediation, posing a significant environmental threat. While bioremediation offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach, its efficacy for complex contaminants relies on enhancing pollutant bioavailability. This study explores the potential of immobilized bacterial consortia combined with biochar and rhamnolipids to accelerate bioremediation of aged total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH)-contaminated soil. Previous research indicates that biochar and biosurfactants can increase bioremediation rates, while mixed consortia offer sequential degradation and higher hydrocarbon mineralization. The present investigation aimed to assess whether combining these strategies could further enhance degradation in aged, complex soil matrices. The bioaugmentation (BA) with bacterial consortium increased the TPHs degradation in aged soil (over 20% compared to natural attenuation - NA). However, co-application of BA with biochar and rhamnolipid higher did not show a statistically prominent synergistic effect. While biochar application facilitated the maintenance of hydrocarbon degrading bacterial consortium in soil, the present study did not identify a direct influence in TPHs degradation. The biochar application in contaminated soil contributed to TPHs adsorption. Rhamnolipid alone slightly increased the TPHs biodegradation with NA, while the combined bioaugmentation treatment with rhamnolipid and biochar increased the degradation between 27.5 and 29.8%. These findings encourage further exploration of combining bioaugmentation with amendment, like biochar and rhamnolipid, for remediating diverse environmental matrices contaminated with complex and aged hydrocarbons.

Insights into the response of electroactive biofilm with petroleum hydrocarbons degradation ability to quorum sensing signals

Bioelectrochemical technologies based on electroactive biofilms (EAB) are promising for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) remediation as anode can serve as inexhaustible electron acceptor. However, the toxicity of PHs might inhibit the formation and function of EABs. Quorum sensing (QS) is ideal for boosting the performance of EABs, but its potential effects on reshaping microbial composition of EABs in treating PHs are poorly understood. Herein, two AHL signals, C4-HSL and C12-HSL, were employed to promote EABs for PHs degradation. The start-times of AHL-mediated EABs decreased by 18-26%, and maximum current densities increased by 28-63%. Meanwhile, the removal of total PHs increased to over 90%. AHLs facilitate thicker and more compact biofilm as well as higher viability. AHLs enhanced the electroactivity and direct electron transfer capability. The total abundance of PH-degrading bacteria increased from 52.05% to 75.33% and 72.02%, and the proportion of electroactive bacteria increased from 26.14% to 62.72% and 63.30% for MFC-C4 and MFC-C12. Microbial networks became more complex, aggregated, and stable with addition of AHLs. Furthermore, AHL-stimulated EABs showed higher abundance of genes related to PHs degradation. This work advanced our understanding of AHL-mediated QS in maintaining the stable function of microbial communities in the biodegradation process of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Enhancing systematic tolerance in Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) through amplified alkB gene expression and bacterial-driven hydrocarbon degradation

This study aimed to access the impact of soil polluted with petroleum (5, 10 g petroleum kg-1 soil) on Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) with and without applied bacterial inoculants (Arthrobacter oxydans ITRH49 and Pseudomonas sp. MixRI75). Both soil and seed were given bacterial inoculation. The evaluated morphological parameters of Bermuda grass were fresh and dry weight. The results demonstrated that applied bacterial inoculants enhanced 5.4%, 20%, 28% and 6.4%, 21%, and 29% shoot and root fresh/dry weights in Bermuda grass under controlled environment. The biochemical analysis of shoot and root was affected deleteriously by the 10 g petroleum kg-1 soil pollution. Microbial inoculants enhanced the activities of enzymatic (catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic (ɑ-tocopherols, proline, reduced glutathione, ascorbic acid) antioxidant to mitigate the toxic effects of ROS (H2O2) under hydrocarbon stressed condition. The maximum hydrocarbon degradation (75%) was recorded by Bermuda grass at 5 g petroleum kg-1 soil contamination. Moreover, bacterial persistence and alkane hydroxylase gene (alkB) abundance and expression were observed more in the root interior than in the rhizosphere and shoot interior of Bermuda grass. Subsequently, the microbe used a biological tool to propose that the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria would be the most favorable choice in petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soil to conquer the abiotic stress in plants and the effective removal of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in polluted soil.

Assessment of tolerance limits of petroleum residues in soil organic matter: sorption of dichlorobenzene by soil

Soil organic matter can protect plants and microorganisms from toxic substances. Beyond the tolerance limit, the toxicity of petroleum pollution to soil organisms may increase rapidly with the increase of petroleum content. However, the method for evaluating the petroleum tolerance limit of soil organic matter (SOM) is still lacking. In this study, the petroleum saturation limit in SOM was first evaluated by the sorption coefficient (Kd) of 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) from water to soils containing different petroleum levels. The sorption isotherm of dichlorobenzene in several petroleum-contaminated soils with different organic matter content and the microbial toxicity test of several petroleum-contaminated soils were determined. It is found that when the petroleum content is about 5% of the soil organic matter content, the sorption of petroleum to organic matter reached saturation limit. When organic matter reaches petroleum saturation limit, the sorption coefficient of DCB by soil particles increased linearly with the increase of petroleum content (R2 > 0.991). The results provided important insights into the understanding the fate of petroleum pollutants in soil and the analysis of soil toxicity.

Correction method of the fluorescence intensity of petroleum hydrocarbons in different soil types based on resonance scattering spectroscopy

Soil types has an obvious impact influence on the fluorescence intensity of soil petroleum hydrocarbons. To reduce the interference caused by soil types, this paper proposes a calibration method using resonance scattering spectroscopy. To establish the correction method, 100 g/kg crude oil samples from six soil types were prepared. The mission and resonance scattering spectrum under 280 nm excitation were measured for all samples. The results showed that the fluorescence spectra and resonance scattering spectra of soil crude oil vary with different soil types. And the fluorescence peak intensity and the resonance scattering peak intensity at 360 nm of soil petroleum hydrocarbons are highly correlated in different soil types. The fluorescence peak intensity at 360 nm was divided by the resonance scattering light intensity at 360 nm to obtain the corrected fluorescence intensity, which can effectively reduce the influence of soil type on fluorescence intensity. The feasibility of correction method was further verified for different types and concentrations of soil crude oil. The results showed better linearity between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of Petroleum Hydrocarbons after the correction (with a correlation coefficient R2 of 0.96) than before the correction (with R2 of 0.72), the mean relative prediction error of all samples decreased from 31.92 % to 4.71 % after correction. The research can provide theoretical basis and technical support for the accurate and rapid detection of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in soil by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Efficient remediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons using sustainable plant-derived surfactants

Surfactant-enhanced multiphase extraction is recognized as an effective method to remove petroleum related contaminants from soil. Owing to the high biodegradability and low biotoxicity, plant-derived surfactants are considered as promising alternatives to synthetic surfactants. In this study, two plant surfactants were respectively extracted from Sapindus mukorossi (PS-1) and Fructus Gleditsiae sinensis (PS-2). Component analysis and chemical structure characterization indicated that triterpenoid saponins were the main components of both plant surfactants. The removal efficiency of tetradecane by PS-1 and PS-2 was 75.6% and 62.2%, respectively, which was comparable with that by Tween-80. The results were validated by column leaching experiments. The abundant hydroxyl, aldehyde and epoxy groups in the plant surfactants made them readily self-assemble to form micelles via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions, which promoted the solubilization of tetradecane in the liquid phase, particularly at appropriate ionic strength and temperature. Due to the reduced electrostatic attraction by the acidic and ionizable functional groups in the plant surfactants, their sorption capacities (0.15 and 0.24 g1-n Ln·kg-1 for PS-1 and PS-2, respectively) onto the soil were much lower than that of Tween-80, making them much easier to be extracted from contaminated soil. This study would deepen our understanding to improve the performances of plant surfactants in petroleum hydrocarbons-contaminated soil remediation.

Exploring the bioremediation capability of petroleum-contaminated soils for enhanced environmental sustainability and minimization of ecotoxicological concerns

The bioremediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) has emerged as a promising approach, with its effectiveness contingent upon various types of PHCs, i.e., crude oil, diesel, gasoline, and other petroleum products. Strategies like genetically modified microorganisms, nanotechnology, and bioaugmentation hold potential for enhancing remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination. The effectiveness of bioremediation relies on factors such as metabolite toxicity, microbial competition, and environmental conditions. Aerobic degradation involves enzymatic oxidative reactions, while bacterial anaerobic degradation employs reductive reactions with alternative electron acceptors. Algae employ monooxygenase and dioxygenase enzymes, breaking down PAHs through biodegradation and bioaccumulation, yielding hydroxylated and dihydroxylated intermediates. Fungi contribute via mycoremediation, using co-metabolism and monooxygenase enzymes to produce CO2 and oxidized products. Ligninolytic fungi transform PAHs into water-soluble compounds, while non-ligninolytic fungi oxidize PAHs into arene oxides and phenols. Certain fungi produce biosurfactants enhancing degradation of less soluble, high molecular-weight PAHs. Successful bioremediation offers sustainable solutions to mitigate petroleum spills and environmental impacts. Monitoring and assessing strategy effectiveness are vital for optimizing biodegradation in petroleum-contaminated soils. This review presents insights and challenges in bioremediation, focusing on arable land safety and ecotoxicological concerns.

Remediating petroleum hydrocarbons in highly saline-alkali soils using three native plant species

Phytoremediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) contamination is a process that uses the synergistic action of plants and rhizosphere microorganisms to degrade, absorb and stabilize pollutants in the soil, and has received increasing attention in recent years. However, this technology still has some challenges under certain conditions (e.g., highly alkaline and saline environments). The present study was selected three native plant species (alfalfa, tall fescue, and ryegrass) to remediate petroleum pollutants in greenhouse pot experiments. The results indicate that TPH contamination not only inhibited plant growth, soil chemical properties and soil fertility (i.e. lower plant biomass, chlorophyll, pH, and electrical conductivity), but also increased the malondialdehyde, glutathione, and antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and polyphenol oxidase). Further, correlation analysis results illustrated that TPH removal was strongly positively correlated with chlorophyll, soil fertility, and total organic carbon, but was negatively correlated with dehydrogenase, polyphenol oxidase, pH, and electrical conductivity. The highest TPHs removal rate (74.13%) was exhibited by alfalfa, followed by tall fescue (61.79%) and ryegrass (57.28%). The degradation rates of short-chain alkanes and low rings polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were substantially higher than those of long-chain alkanes and high rings PAHs. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into petroleum decontamination strategies in the highly saline - alkali environments.

Biochar-Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Oily Sludge to Attain Harmless Disposal and Residue Utilization for Soil Reclamation

Pyrolysis of oily sludge (OS) is a feasible technology to match the principle of reduction and recycling; however, it is difficult to confirm the feasible environmental destination and meet the corresponding requirements. Therefore, an integrated strategy of biochar-assisted catalytic pyrolysis (BCP) of OS and residue utilization for soil reclamation is investigated in this study. During the catalytic pyrolysis process, biochar as a catalyst intensifies the removal of recalcitrant petroleum hydrocarbons at the expense of liquid product yield. Concurrently, biochar as an adsorbent can inhibit the release of micromolecular gaseous pollutants (e.g. HCN, H₂S, and HCl) and stabilize heavy metals. Due to the assistance of biochar, pyrolysis reactions of OS are more likely to occur and require a lower temperature to achieve the same situation. During the soil reclamation process, the obtained residue as a soil amendment can not only provide a carbon source and mineral nutrients but can also improve the abundance and diversity of microbial communities. Thus, it facilitates the plant germination and the secondary removal of petroleum hydrocarbons. The integrated strategy of BCP of OS and residue utilization for soil reclamation is a promising management strategy, which is expected to realize the coordinated and benign disposal of more than one waste.

Evaluation and characterization of biochar on the biogeochemical behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mangrove wetlands

As the inter-tidal regions between land and ocean, mangrove ecosystems have high polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) content, and the over accumulation of PAHs in mangrove wetland poses a serious ecological risk to the health of plant and living creatures. Comparison to the agricultural sources -biochar, biochar produced from wetland plant has lower O/C (molar ratio), larger N contents, higher stability and more benefits. However, whether the rhizosphere action occurs in biochar- amended sediment and how to influence the biogeochemical behavior of PAH have rarely been reported. In this context, a leaching procedure and pot experiment (60-d) were performed on migration and transformation of PAH at the sediment, and toxicity and their bioavailability in plant affected by the presence of Kandelia obovate-derived biochar in Southeast China. Root exudates amendments significantly increased the cumulative leaching-loss of pyrene by 36-51 % with or without biochar amendment via continuous diffusion and partition process, and biochar amendments decreased the bioavailability of pyrene (16.8-25.8 %) probably due to a faster pyrene sorption on inter-phase transport against desorption. The regression analysis indicated a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between leachate pH and pyrene concentrations. Notably, the bioaccumulation of pyrene on K. obovate parts had significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) to biochar. The activities of four key antioxidizes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, dismutases, peroxidases and catalases) were significantly decreased with the application of biochar. Moreover, biochar plays a positive role in cytochrome C release and phosphatidylserine secretion, and a combined biochar-rhizosphere approach can improve the stress tolerance and resistance of K. obovate with an enhanced synergetic effect, which could be a feasible remediation strategy for alleviating the mangrove sediment contaminated by PAH.

Development of multifarious carrier materials and impact conditions of immobilised microbial technology for environmental remediation: A review

Microbial technology is the most sustainable and eco-friendly method of environmental remediation. Immobilised microorganisms were introduced to further advance microbial technology. In immobilisation technology, carrier materials distribute a large number of microorganisms evenly on their surface or inside and protect them from external interference to better treat the targets, thus effectively improving their bioavailability. Although many carrier materials have been developed, there have been relatively few comprehensive reviews. Therefore, this paper summarises the types of carrier materials explored in the last ten years from the perspective of structure, microbial activity, and cost. Among these, carbon materials and biofilms, as environmentally friendly functional materials, have been widely applied for immobilisation because of their abundant sources and favorable growth conditions for microorganisms. The novel covalent organic framework (COF) could also be a new immobilisation material, due to its easy preparation and high performance. Different immobilisation methods were used to determine the relationship between carriers and microorganisms. Co-immobilisation is particularly important because it can compensate for the deficiencies of a single immobilisation method. This paper emphasises that impact conditions also affect the immobilisation effect and function. In addition to temperature and pH, the media conditions during the preparation and reaction of materials also play a role. Additionally, this study mainly reviews the applications and mechanisms of immobilised microorganisms in environmental remediation. Future development of immobilisation technology should focus on the discovery of novel and environmentally friendly carrier materials, as well as the establishment of optimal immobilisation conditions for microorganisms. This review intends to provide references for the development of immobilisation technology in environmental applications and to further the improve understanding of immobilisation technology.

Bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated saline soil by Acinetobacter baumannii and Talaromyces sp. and functional potential analysis using metagenomic sequencing

Microbial remediation is a potential remediation method for petroleum-contaminated soil. In order to explore the petroleum degradation mechanism by microorganisms, the oilfield soil was remedied by Acinetobacter baumannii combined with Talaromyces sp. The degradation mechanism was studied by analyzing soil microbial community and functional genes through metagenomics during the degradation process. The result showed the degradation rate of petroleum was 65.6% after 28 days. The concentration of petroleum decreased from 1220 mg/kg to 420 mg/kg. In the co-culture group, Acinetobacter baumannii became the dominant species, the annotated genes of it at the species level accounted for 7.34% while that of Talaromyces sp. accounted for only 0.34%. Meanwhile, the annotated genes of Bacillus, Halomonas, and Nitriliruptor at the genus level were up-regulated by 1.83%, 0.90%, and 0.71%, respectively. In addition, large functional genes were significantly up-regulated, including the peroxisome, P450 enzyme (CYP53, CYP116, CYP102, CYP645), and biofilm formulation, promoting the oxidation and hydroxylation, and catalyzing the epoxidation of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Meanwhile, the degrading genes of alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons were expressed promotionally, and degradation pathways were deduced. In conclusion, the inoculation of Acinetobacter baumannii combined with Talaromyces sp. accelerated the degradation of petroleum in oilfield soil and improved the growth of indigenous petroleum-degrading bacteria. Many functional genes related to petroleum degradation were promoted significantly. These results proved the co-culture of bacteria-fungi consortium contributes to the bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil.

Mobilization of contaminants: Potential for soil remediation and unintended consequences

Land treatment has become an essential waste management practice. Therefore, soil becomes a major source of contaminants including organic chemicals and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) which enter the food chain, primarily through leaching to potable water sources, plant uptake, and animal transfer. A range of soil amendments are used to manage the mobility of contaminants and subsequently their bioavailability. Various soil amendments, like desorbing agents, surfactants, and chelating agents, have been applied to increase contaminant mobility and bioavailability. These mobilizing agents are applied to increase the contaminant removal though phytoremediation, bioremediation, and soil washing. However, possible leaching of the mobilized pollutants during soil washing is a major limitation, particularly when there is no active plant uptake. This leads to groundwater contamination and toxicity to plants and soil biota. In this context, the present review provides an overview on various soil amendments used to enhance the bioavailability and mobility of organic and inorganic contaminants, thereby facilitating increased risk when soil is remediated in polluted areas. The unintended consequences of the mobilization methods, when used to remediate polluted sites, are discussed in relation to the leaching of mobilized contaminants when active plant growth is absent. The toxicity of targeted and non-targeted contaminants to microbial communities and higher plants is also discussed. Finally, this review work summarizes the existing research gaps in various contaminant mobilization approaches, and prospects for future research.

Hydrobiological Mechanism Controlling the Synergistic Effects of Unsaturated Flow and Soil Organic Matter on the Degradation of Emerging Organic Contaminants in Soils

Hydrology is a key factor influencing microbial degradation of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in soils, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. In this study, biotic and abiotic column experiments were performed to investigate the removal and degradation of five EOCs in soils with different soil organic matter (SOM) contents under saturated and unsaturated flow conditions. In biotic experiments, 54-90% of bisphenol A (BPA) and 9-22% of ibuprofen (IBU) were removed from the aqueous phase of saturated columns due to adsorption and biodegradation. The biodegradation removed 26-65% of BPA and 1-22% of IBU. Decreasing soil pore water saturation from 100 to 80% increased BPA removal to 97-100% and IBU removal to 42-43% due to increased biodegradation (67-81% for BPA and 36-39% for IBU). No significant removal of BPA and IBU was observed in SOM-removed soils under saturated and unsaturated flow conditions. The desaturation did not influence sorptive losses of BPA (<27%) and IBU (<7%), suggesting their negligible adsorption at air-water interfaces but increased biodegradation of BPA and IBU sorbed at SOM-water interfaces. The study shows that soil drying and SOM can synergistically degrade BPA and IBU but have no effect on recalcitrant carbamazepine, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin.

Soil microbial ecological effect of shale gas oil-based drilling cuttings pyrolysis residue used as soil covering material

The residue derived from oil-based drilling cutting pyrolysis could be used as paving materials. Some petroleum hydrocarbons remain in the residue after pyrolysis and cause severe environmental pollution. In this study, the soil column leaching experiments were carried out under different leaching amounts, and the vertical migration characteristics of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and the dynamic response mechanism of microorganisms to petroleum hydrocarbons were analyzed. The result showed that the soil pH value and water content with different leaching amounts did not differ significantly, but the vertical migration ability of each petroleum hydrocarbon component was different. In petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria maintained a high level (23.6%-60.7%). At the genus level, the relative abundance of Massilia decreased with the leaching amount increased. According to PICRUSt, Monooxygenase [EC: 1.14.13.-] played a significant role in petroleum hydrocarbon degradation. While Long-chain-fatty-acid-CoA ligase [EC: 6.2.1.3] had the highest relative abundance. By studying the influence of shale gas oil-based drilling cuttings pyrolysis residue on soil physical and chemical properties and soil microorganisms, this work provides scientific ecological assessment for the resource application of pyrolysis residue.

Thermal desorption optimization for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils by a self-built sustainability evaluation tool

Current thermal desorption practices of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils focus on remediation efficiency and cost, with little systematic assessment of the reuse value of treated soils. This study evaluated various integrated indices of treatment cost and reuse of treated soils at three desorption temperatures. Various typical engineering and ecological characteristics closely related to soil reusability were selected to analyze the changes in various treated soils, including shear strength, Atterberg limits, particle size distribution, permeability, soil carbon, and soil biomass. A sustainability evaluation tool was developed for the greener disposal of hazardous soils considering both the treatment cost and reuse indices. Such an evaluation led to the conclusion that the contaminated soils treated at 350 °C generated the highest soil reusability with an excellent remediation efficiency. The sensitivity analysis confirmed that the tool had better stability in a common situation where the weight of the remediation cost was heavier than the soil reusability. Meanwhile, published data were input into the tool to validate its applicability under different scenarios. The results were consistent with the qualitative assessment of the literature. The tool can quantitatively select a more sustainable desorption method for the disposal and reuse of hazardous soils.

Thermally enhanced bioremediation: A review of the fundamentals and applications in soil and groundwater remediation

Thermally enhanced bioremediation (TEB), a new concept proposed in recent years, explores the combination of thermal treatment and bioremediation to address the challenges of the low efficiency and long duration of bioremediation. This study presented a comprehensive review regarding the fundamentals of TEB and its applications in soil and groundwater remediation. The temperature effects on the bioremediation of contaminants were systematically reviewed. The thermal effects on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of soil, and the corresponding changes of contaminants bioavailability and microbial metabolic activities were summarized. Specifically, the increase in temperature within a suitable range can proliferate enzymes enrichment, extracellular polysaccharides and biosurfactants production, and further enhancing bioremediation. Furthermore, a systematic evaluation of TEB applications by utilizing traditional in situ heating technologies, as well as renewable energy (e.g., stored aquifer thermal energy and solar energy), was provided. Additionally, TEB has been applied as a biological polishing technology post thermal treatment, which can be a cost-effective method to address the contaminants rebounds in groundwater remediation. However, there are still various challenges to be addressed in TEB, and future research perspectives to further improve the basic understanding and applications of TEB for the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater are presented.

Synergy of the Tropical Earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus and Oil Palm Bagasse in the Removal of Heavy Crude Oil

The tropical endogeic earthworm Pontoscolex corethrurus, a non-standard species used in ecotoxicity, has been found in crude oil-contaminated habitats. We estimated the removal of total hydrocarbons from heavy crude "Maya" oil on an artificially contaminated soil with a median lethal concentration of P. corethrurus and an addition of oil palm bagasse. P. corethrurus had a high survival rate, and the addition of oil palm bagasse led to a greater growth and an increase in abundance of bacteria and fungi. The activity of P. corethrurus and the nutritional quality of oil palm bagasse had a significant impact on the removal of a larger amount of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soil. We concluded that the endogeic earthworm P. corethrurus and oil palm bagasse acted synergistically to achieve a more effective removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons from soil. These results show the potential for using P. corethrurus to remove, either directly or indirectly, crude oil from soil.

Strategic implementation of integrated bioaugmentation and biostimulation for efficient mitigation of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants from terrestrial and aquatic environment

Release of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants poses a serious problem to the terrestrial as well as marine ecosystem. This study investigated and compared the potency of different biodegradation strategies for mitigating total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) of petroleum refinery sludge by an integrated action of bioaugmentation and biostimulation vis-à-vis separate bioaugmentation and biostimulation approaches. The implementation of a concomitant bioaugmentation-biostimulation strategy (BABSS) involving the indigenously developed bacterial consortium and poultry litter extract showed the best performance by mitigating the TPH up to 90.3 ± 3.7% in 21 days. The GC-FID analysis confirmed the efficacy of different TPH degradation strategies. The kinetic study of TPH degradation of BABSS resulted first-order with rate 0.11 day^-1. Thus, the BABSS proved to be more efficient in degrading TPH in an eco-friendly manner and hence, may pave the way for better management of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants, while providing a sustainable solution to the disposal of poultry wastes.

Enhanced sorption of trivalent antimony by chitosan-loaded biochar in aqueous solutions: Characterization, performance and mechanisms

Contamination of aquatic systems by antimony (Sb) is a worldwide issue due to its risks to eco-environment and human health. Batch sorption experiments were conducted to assess the equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics of antimonite [Sb(III)] sorption by pristine biochar (BC) and chitosan-loaded biochar (CHBC) derived from branches of Ficus microcarpa. Results showed the successful loading of chitosan onto biochar surface, exhibiting more functional groups (e.g., CO, -NH₂, and -OH). Langmuir model well described the Sb(III) sorption isotherm experimental data, and the maximum sorption capacity of Sb(III) by CH₁BC (biochar loaded with chitosan at a ratio of 1:1) was 168 mg g^-1, whereas for the BC it was only 10 mg g^-1. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated that CH₁BC oxidized 86% of Sb(III) to Sb(V), while BC oxidized 71% of Sb(III). Density functional theory calculations suggested that the synergistic effect of exogenous hydroxyl and inherent carbonyl contributed to the enhanced removal efficiency of Sb(III) by CHBC. Key mechanisms for Sb(III) sorption onto CHBCs included electrostatic interaction, chelation, surface complexation, π-π interaction, and hydrogen bonding. Overall, this study implies that CHBC can be a new, viable sorbent for the removal of Sb(III) from aquatic systems aiding their safe and sustainable management.

What determines the efficacy of landfarming for petroleum-contaminated soils: Significance of contaminant characteristics

Identifying the cause of inconsistent landfarming efficacy is critical to designing optimal remedial strategies for petroleum-contaminated sites. We assessed contaminated soils collected from two former military bases in South Korea to better understand the role and influence of different factors. Landfarming remediation was simulated in the laboratory by applying comparable practices (such as tillage and bioaugmentation) and the relevant mechanism was examined. We then systematically examined potential factors affecting petroleum-removal efficacy, including the content of fine soil particles, the initial concentration and composition of petroleum contaminants, and the degree of soil-contaminant interaction. The distribution range of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) and the size of unresolved complex mixture (UCM) found in gas chromatography data showed that petroleum composed of TPHs with lower carbon numbers and having smaller size of UCM could be treated more effectively by landfarming. Incorporating the evaluation of the distribution range and UCM properties of petroleum, rather than simply considering its total concentration, is a more accurate and efficient method for determining the site-specific suitability of landfarming as a remedial option, as well as for assessing the necessity of supplementary processes.

Induced systemic tolerance mediated by plant-microbe interaction in maize (Zea mays L.) plants under hydrocarbon contamination

The present investigation was committed to examining the effect of soil spiked with diesel contamination (0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 g diesel kg^-1 soil) on maize (Zea mays L) varieties (MMRI yellow and Pearl white) with or without bacterial consortium (Pseudomonas aeruginosa BRRI54, Acinetobacter sp. strain BRSI56, Acinetobacter sp. strain ACRH80). Seed and soil bacterial inoculation were done. The studied morphological attributes were fresh and dry weight of shoot and root of both maize varieties. The results documented that bacterial consortium caused 21%, 0.06% and 29%, 34% higher shoot and root fresh/dry weights in "Pearl white" and 14%, 15% and 32%, 22% shoot and root fresh/dry weights respectively in MMRI yellow under control conditions. The biochemical attributes of shoot and root were affected negatively by the 3.5 g diesel kg^-1 soil contamination. Bacterial consortium enhanced enzymatic activity (APX, CAT, POD, SOD, GR) and non-enzymatic (AsA, GSH, Pro, α-Toco) antioxidant and reduction in oxidative stress (H₂O₂, MDA) under hydrocarbon stress as compared to non-inoculated ones in both root and shoot organs. Among both varieties, the highest hydrocarbon removal (75, 64, and 69%) was demonstrated by MMRI yellow with bacterial consortium as compare to Pearl white showed 73, 57, 65% hydrocarbon degradation at 1.5 2.5, 3.5 g diesel kg^-1 soil contamination. Consequently, the microbe mediated biotransformation of hydrocarbons suggested that the use of PGPB would be the most beneficial selection in diesel fuel contaminated soil to overcome the abiotic stress in plants and successfully remediation of hydrocarbon in contaminated soil.

Soil initial bacterial diversity and nutrient availability determine the rate of xenobiotic biodegradation

Understanding the relative importance of soil microbial diversity, plants and nutrient management is crucial to implement an effective bioremediation approach to xenobiotics-contaminated soils. To date, knowledge on the interactive effects of soil microbiome, plant and nutrient supply on influencing biodegradation potential of soils remains limited. In this study, we evaluated the individual and interactive effects of soil initial bacterial diversity, nutrient amendments (organic and inorganic) and plant presence on the biodegradation rate of pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Initial bacterial diversity had a strong positive impact on soil biodegradation potential, with soil harbouring higher bacterial diversity showing ~ 2 times higher degradation rates than soils with lower bacterial diversity. Both organic and inorganic nutrient amendments consistently improved the degradation rate in lower diversity soils and had negative (inorganic) to neutral (organic) effect in higher diversity soils. Interestingly, plant presence/type did not show any significant effect on the degradation rate in most of the treatments. Structural equation modelling demonstrated that initial bacterial diversity had a prominent role in driving pyrene biodegradation rates. We provide novel evidence that suggests that soil initial microbial diversity, and nutrient amendments should be explicitly considered in the design and employment of bioremediation management strategies for restoring natural habitats disturbed by organic pollutants.

Remediation of soil contaminated with a commercial diesel-biodiesel blend (B12): A microcosm evaluation on the effects of (in)organic amendments

Bioremediation of fuel-contaminated soils largely depends on microbial activities, which might be stimulated using (in)organic amendments. Attenuation of a diesel-biodiesel blend (B12) was investigated in microcosms during 93 days. Soil was spiked with B12 (5%, m m^-1) and, in addition to contaminated Controls (unamended), soils received compost (COB), soybean hulls (SHB), or NPK fertilizer (IB) to reach a ~20:1 carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio regarding B12-carbon content. Effects of treatments on B12 attenuation, soil respiration, heterotrophic and B12-utilizing bacteria, pH, organic-C, nitrogen contents, and phytotoxicity, were evaluated. After 20 days, diesel range organics analysis indicated 58, 48, 45, and 43% attenuation in Controls, SHB, IB, and COB, respectively. Final dissipation reached 90, 86, 72, and 60% in Controls, COB, IB, and SHB. Compost and soybean hulls appeared as preferential substrates for microorganisms. Although microbial activity (soil respiration) was 39 and 22% higher than Controls in COB and SHB, amendments postponed attenuation. Amendments transiently affected bacterial numbers as compared to Controls; however, these effects were not related to attenuation levels. pH of the contaminated soils (~7.0) dropped to 6.1 in IB, whereas pH values were between 6.7 and 7.6 in other treatments. Organic-N and Kjeldahl-N decreased during incubations, indicating net N mineralization and subsequent nitrification, although N losses could occur. Organic-C, initially higher in SHB and COB, decreased in all treatments; however, more prominent losses in COB and SHB suggest amendments were preferentially used by microorganisms. Phytotoxicity was improved in Controls; however, it was not associated with attenuation levels in amended treatments, possibly owing to formation of toxic products and B12 sorption/desorption. In IB, decreased microbial activity, delayed attenuation, and remarkable phytotoxicity were due to excessive fertilization. Therefore, intrinsic soil conditions were adequate for B12 attenuation, without the need for nutritional inputs. Results also demonstrate that toxicity bioindicators are relevant to monitor remediation.

Effect of petroleum wastewater treated with gravity separation and magnetite nanoparticles adsorption methods on the blood biochemical response of mrigal fish (Cirrhinus cirrhosus)

Drainage of treated wastewater to surface water is a severe threat to the health of aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of 0.5 and 1% water-soluble fractions of crude oil (WSFO), WSFO treated with magnetic nanoparticles of Fe₃O₄ (TWSFO-Fe₃O₄) and with the gravity separation method (TWSFO-GSM) on Cirrhinus cirrhosis for 21 days. The rate of erythrocyte hemolysis in fish exposed to untreated 0.5 and 1% WSFO were significantly high. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly increased in the groups exposed to TWSFO-GSM compared to the control group, while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was reduced. No significant differences in LDH, ALT, ALP, and GGT activities were observed in the fish treated with TWSFO-Fe₃O₄. The aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly increased after exposure to TWSFO-Fe₃O₄ (1%) and TWSFO-GSM. The levels of triglyceride were decreased, whereas glucose, cholesterol, and cholinesterase activity increased in fish after both treatments. The total protein and albumin contents significantly decreased in fish under exposure to both doses of TWSFO-Fe₃O₄ and TWSFO-GSM. The globulin level decreased in fish exposed to TWSFO-Fe₃O₄ (1%) and TWSFO-GSM. Glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, and total antioxidant levels were significantly reduced in the hepatocytes of fish exposed to TWSFO-Fe₃O₄, TWSFO-GSM, and WSFO, while superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde content were increased. This study showed that despite removing oil drips from the WSFO, the xenobiotics present in the effluent treated by gravitational or nano-magnetite methods caused changes in biochemical parameters and induced oxidative stress. Therefore, it is recommended to prevent the discharge of treated effluent from the oil and petrochemical industries to aquatic ecosystems.

Column tests for evaluation of the enzymatic biodegradation capacity of hydrocarbons (C10-C50) contaminated soil

Though many studies pertaining to soil bioremediation have been performed to study the microbial kinetics in shake flasks, the process efficiency in column tests is seldom. In the present study, soil columns tests were carried out to study the biodegradation of soil contaminated with a high concentration of diesel (≈19.5 g/kg) petroleum hydrocarbons expressed as C₁₀-C₅₀. Experiments were done with crude enzymatic cocktail produced by the hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium, Alcanivorax borkumensis. A. borkumensis was grown on a media with 3% (v/v) motor oil as the sole carbon and energy source. The effects of the enzyme concentration, treatment time and oxidant on the bioremediation efficiency of C₁₀-C₅₀ were investigated. A batch test was also carried out in parallel to investigate the stability of the enzymes and the effect of the biosurfactants on the desorption and the bioconversion of C₁₀-C₅₀. Batch tests indicated that the biosurfactants significantly affected the desorption and alkane hydroxylase and lipase enzymes, maintained their catalytic activity during the 20-day test, with a half-life of 7.44 days and 8.84 days, respectively. The crude enzyme cocktail, with 40 U/mL of lipase and 10 U/mL of alkane hydroxylase, showed the highest conversion of 57.36% after 12 weeks of treatment with a degradation rate of 0.0218 day^-1. The results show that the soil column tests can be used to optimize operating conditions for hydrocarbon degradation and to assess the performance of the overall bioremediation process.