Bioaugmentation coupled with phytoremediation for the removal of phenolic compounds and color from treated palm oil mill effluent

Fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the phytoremediation of different hydrocarbon contaminated soils with cotton, ryegrass, tall fescue, and wheat

Introduction

Phytoremediation is a promising strategy for cleaning up polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated soils. This study investigated the effectiveness of four plant species-cotton, ryegrass, tall fescue, and wheat-in enhancing PAH removal from soils contaminated with diesel oil, PAHs, and aged oily sludge.

Methods

Aged oily sludge-contaminated soil was artificially prepared, and the selected plants were cultivated in different hydrocarbon-contaminated soils (diesel oil, PAHs, and oily sludge). The fate of PAHs was analyzed by measuring their distribution in rhizospheric soil and plant tissues. Root concentration factors (RCFs) and transpiration stream concentration factors (TSCFs) were used to evaluate PAH translocation and accumulation in plant tissues and their interactions with the rhizosphere.

Results

The study demonstrated that plants enhanced PAH removal by 20%-80%, with wheat showing the highest efficiency. PAH removal was generally more effective in oily sludge-contaminated soil than in diesel oil or PAH-contaminated soil. Plant uptake of PAHs accounted for 2%-10% of total removal and exhibited a strong linear correlation with root weight. RCFs were linearly correlated with LogKow (3-6), indicating that the four plant species did not significantly concentrate PAHs in their roots.

Discussion

The findings confirm the potential of phytoremediation for PAH-contaminated soils, particularly using wheat as an effective species. The low RCFs and TSCFs suggest that PAH uptake was limited, implying that rhizodegradation and microbial interactions may play a more critical role than direct plant accumulation. This study supports phytoremediation as a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional soil remediation methods, reducing economic and environmental burdens.

A review on the pollution assessment of hazardous materials and the resultant biorefinery products in Palm oil mill effluent

The voluminous nature of palm oil mill effluent (POME) is directly associated with environmental hazards and could be turned into biorefinery products. The POME, rich in BOD, COD, and oil and grease, with few hazardous materials such as siloxanes, fatty acid methyl ester, and phenolic compounds that may significantly increase the risk of violating the effluent quality standards. Recently, the application of chemical and biological risk assessment that can use electrochemical sensors and microalgae-like species has gained paramount attention towards its remediation. This review describes the existing risk assessment for POME and recommends a novel assessment approach using fish species including invasive ones as suitable for identifying the toxicants. Various physico-chemical and biological treatments such as adsorption, coagulation-flocculation, photo-oxidation, solar-assisted extraction, anaerobic digestion, integrated anaerobic-aerobic, and microalgae cultivation has been investigated. This paper offers an overview of anaerobic technologies, with particular emphasis on advanced bioreactors and their prospects for industrial-level applications. To illustrate, palmitic acid and oleic acid, the precursors of fatty acid methyl ester found in POME pave the way to produce biodiesel with 91.45%. Although there are some challenges in attaining production at an economic scale, this review offers some opportunities that could help in overcoming these challenges.

Developing a glyphosate-bioremediation strategy using plants and actinobacteria: Potential improvement of a riparian environment

Glyphosate (Gly) and its principal degradation product, the aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) were found in soils from a riparian environment in Argentina. Sixty-five actinobacteria were isolated from these soils, rhizosphere, and plants (Festuca arundinacea and Salix fragilis). The isolate Streptomyces sp. S5 was selected to be used as bioinoculant in a greenhouse test, in which plants, actinobacteria, and their combinations were assessed to bioremediate the riparian soil. The dissipation of both compounds were estimated. All treatments dissipated similarly the Gly, reaching 87-92 % of dissipation. AMPA, dissipation of 38 % and 42 % were obtained by Salix and Festuca, respectively, while they increased to 57 % and 70 % when the actinobacterium was added to each planted system. Regarding the total dissipation, the higher efficiencies for both compounds were achieved by the non-planted soils bioaugmented with the actinobacterium, with 91 % of Gly dissipated and 56 % for AMPA. According to our study, it could be suggested which strategy could be applied depending on the bioremediation type needed. If in situ bioremediation is necessary, the combination of phytoremediation and actinobacteria bioaugmentation could be convenient. On the other hand, if ex situ bioremediation is needed, the inoculation of the soil with an actinobacterium capable to dissipate Gly and AMPA could be the more efficient and easier alternative.

Study of the phytoremediation potential of native plant species identified in an area contaminated by volatile organic compounds: a systematic review

Phytoremediation is a process that uses plants in situ to promote remediation of environments contaminated by organic or inorganic compounds. Phytoremediating species develop methods such as phytoextraction, rhizofiltration, phytodegradation, and phytovolatilization, which can manifest themselves individually or together in a single plant. This study aims to evaluate, through a systematic review, the potential phytoremediation techniques of the genera Syagrus (Mart.), Nephrolepis, Cyperus (L.), Mimosa (L.), Schinus (L.), Brachiaria, and Eryngium (L.) found in a humid area of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The genera that presented significant numbers in the databases consulted were Cyperus and Brachiaria, followed by Nephrolepis. The first two are considered the most promising for phytoremediation processes. The other genera mentioned obtained favorable results for organic contaminants. The studies around these genera are still recent. It is necessary, in research, to highlight which phytoremediation processes the plants exert in relation to the contaminant of the place. In addition, priority should be given to native species that can establish themselves in the environment and that would not unbalance and harm the surrounding biota and ecosystem.

Preparation and modification methods of defective titanium dioxide-based nanoparticles for photocatalytic wastewater treatment-a comprehensive review

The rapid population growth and industrial expansion worldwide have created serious water contamination concerns. To curb the pollution issue, it has become imperative to use a versatile material for the treatment. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) has been recognized as the most-studied nanoparticle in various fields of science and engineering due to its availability, low cost, efficiency, and other fascinating properties with a wide range of applications in modern technology. Recent studies revealed the photocatalytic activity of the material for the treatment of industrial effluents to promote environmental sustainability. With the wide band gap energy of 3.2 eV, TiO₂ can be activated under UV light; thus, many strategies have been proposed to extend its photoabsorption to the visible light region. In what follows, this has generated increasing attention to study its characteristics and structural modifications in different forms for photocatalytic applications. The present review provides an insight into the understanding of the synthesis methods of TiO₂, the current progress in the treatment techniques for the degradation of wide environmental pollutants employing modified TiO₂ nanoparticles, and the factors affecting its photocatalytic activities. Further, recent developments in using titania for practical applications, the approach for designing novel nanomaterials, and the prospects and opportunities in this exciting area have been discussed.

Bacillus thuringiensis A1 improve phenol tolerance and phytoextraction by Acorus calamus L

Phenol, as a very toxic pollutant, exists widely in rivers in China. To explore the effect of bacterial augmentation on phytoremediation of phenol by Acorus calamus L., some plant growth and physiological parameters and percent removal of phenol were determined in hydroponics containing phenol with addition of Bacillus thuringiensis A1. The A. calamus L. and B. thuringiensis A1 consortium increased the growth rate of plant height, chlorophyll content, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) in A. calamus L. 10.00-36.54%, 0.62 - 22.15%, 3.94 - 11.25% and 1.37-10.50% respectively compared with single plant treatments at same phenol concentrations. However, the addition of B. thuringiensis A1 decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and relative electrical conductivity (REC) in A. calamus L. 12.99-23.66% and 8.38-29.98% respectively compared with single plant treatments. The removal efficiency of phenol (increased from 1.56% to 13.78%) by the A. calamus L. and B. thuringiensis A1 consortium was higher than the removal efficiency of phenol of the independent A. calamus L. system. In conclusion, the addition of B. thuringiensis A1 alleviated phenol stress to A. calamus L and enhanced phenol removal due to phenol removal by bacterial augmentation.Novelty statementThe addition of B. thuringiensis A1 alleviated phenol stress to A. calamus L. and enhanced phenol removal due to phenol removal by bacterial augmentation.

Dephenolization of palm oil mill effluent by oil palm fiber-immobilized Trametes hirsuta AK04 in temporary immersion bioreactor for the enhancement of biogas production

The dephenolization of palm oil mill effluent (POME) with oil palm fiber-immobilized Trametes hirsuta AK 04 was conducted in a temporary immersion bioreactor to reduce the inhibitory effects of phenolics in anaerobic digestion. Longer immersion times provided greater removal of phenolics due to a higher release of manganese peroxidase. The most effective dephenolization was observed at 6 h immersed and 2 h non-immersed time (immersion ratio 6/8) with maximum removal of 85% from 1277 mg L^-1 of phenolics in 4 days. The immobilized fungus maintained its high activity during multiple repeated batch treatments. The pretreated POME of 2 h showed higher methane yields compared with the untreated POME substrate. The methane yields increased with increasing pretreatment time and dephenolization levels. The results suggested that an increased abundance of methanogens was associated with the detoxification of phenolics. The fungal biomass contained crude protein, amino acids, and essential phenolics, which can be used as animal feed supplements.

Biodegradation of phenolic compounds present in palm oil mill effluent as single and mixed substrates by Trametes hirsuta AK04

The ability of white-rot fungus, Trametes hirsuta AK04, to utilize phenolics as single and mixed substrates was determined in mineral medium and palm oil mill effluent (POME). The strain AK04 was able to rapidly metabolize all ten phenolics as single and mixed substrates at all test concentrations. With single substrates, between 78 and 98% removal was achieved within seven days. The biomass yield increased with increasing concentration from 100 to 500 mg L^-1 but slightly decreased when the concentration was increased up to 1,000 mg L^-1. When fitted to a Haldane model, the groups of benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives gave significantly higher maximum specific growth rates than other phenolics. Phenol exhibited the lowest affinity and highest inhibitory effects on fungal metabolism. In mixed substrates, the total concentration ranges of phenolics mixtures between 1,000 and 6,000 mg L^-1 did not affect the fungal growth rate and the strain AK04 showed a high degree of resistance to their toxic effects. The addition of glucose and yeast extract enhanced the degradation rates of individual phenolics in the substrate mixtures, demonstrating the advantage of this strain for treating complex media, such as industrial wastewater.

Glycerol-Mediated Facile Synthesis of Colored Titania Nanoparticles for Visible Light Photodegradation of Phenolic Compounds

In this study, we developed a glycerol-mediated safe and facile method to synthesize colored titania nanoparticles (NPs) via solution route. Our method is considerably effective and greener than other options currently available. Colored titania NPs were produced by hydrolyzing TiCl₄ precursor in aqueous solution containing different concentrations of glycerol (0.0, 1.163, 3.834, and 5.815 mol/L) and subsequent calcination at 300 °C for 1 h. Our results highlight firstly that glycerol-mediated synthesis is unlikely to affect the anatase crystalline structure of TiO₂, and secondly, that it would lead to coloration, band gap narrowing, and a remarkable bathochromic redshift of the optical response of titania. More importantly, the synthesized colored titania have Ti³⁺ ions, which, at least in terms of our samples, is the major factor responsible for its coloration. These Ti³⁺ species could induce mid gap states in the band gap, which significantly improve the visible light absorption capability and photocatalytic performance of the colored titania. The photocatalytic experiments showed that the colored TiO₂ NPs prepared in 1.163 mol/L aqueous glycerol solution displayed the best photocatalytic performance. Almost 48.17% of phenolic compounds and 62.18% of color were removed from treated palm oil mill effluent (POME) within 180 min of visible light irradiation.