Emerging bio-dispersant and bioremediation technologies as environmentally friendly management responses toward marine oil spill: A comprehensive review

Diatom Chaetoceros calcitarans MZB-1 for degrading propylbenzenes in seawater: Cultivation conditions, degradation kinetics, and influencing factors

Accidental leakage of petrochemical products (such as C9 aromatics) containing propylbenzenes (PBZs) during maritime transport poses severe threats to marine ecosystems. In this study, a PBZs-degrading diatom, Chaetoceros calcitrans MZB-1, was isolated from the seawater close to Quangang Port, Fujian Province, China, where a serious spill of C9 aromatics previously occurred several years ago. The optimal growth conditions for this alga were pH 8.5, salinity 10 ‰, temperature 25 °C and light intensity 60 μmol/(m2·s). At the optimal inoculation density (1 × 106 cells/mL), removal efficiencies of two PBZs, namely n-propylbenzene (n-PBZ) and isopropylbenzene (i-PBZ), were 68.6 % and 44.6 %, respectively, within 7 days. The elimination of each PBZ over time followed the first-order kinetic model. After adding 750 mg/L and 500 mg/L of NaHCO3 into the F/2 medium, the removal efficiencies of two PBZs increased to 70.8 % and 51.2 %, respectively. These results showed that alga MZB-1 could be more effectively used for bioremediation of PBZs-contaminated seawater than the one previously isolated.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) aerogel immobilized microalgae: A new way for marine oil spills remediation

This study investigated the oil pollution remediation ability of konjac glucomannan (KGM) aerogel immobilized Chlorella vulgaris LH-1 (C. vulgaris). The KGM aerogel exhibited a high porosity of 86.83 %, and with the change of crude oil concentration (1-10 g/L), the crude oil adsorption efficiency of KGM aerogel was up to 18.75 %. The KGM aerogel carrier enhanced the crude oil biodegradation efficiency of C. vulgaris by 13.86 %. The concentration of residual n-alkanes of the immobilized C. vulgaris group was only 36.83 % of that of the free C. vulgaris group after 14 days of cultivation. In the crude oil metabolites of immobilized C. vulgaris, the concentrations of benzoic acid, phthalic acid, and benzophenone were 1.35, 21.18 and 3.43 times higher than those of the free C. vulgaris, respectively. Compared with free C. vulgaris group, 9 monooxygenase genes, 11 dioxygenase genes and 2 cytochrome P450 genes of immobilized C. vulgaris group were up-regulation and the "hydrocarbon metabolism process" was significantly enriched (enrichment factor is 0.85) in the gene ontology (GO) analysis of the transcriptome of C. vulgaris. These results showed that the ability of C. vulgaris to degrade crude oil was improved due to the existence of the KGM aerogel immobilized carrier.

Planning for a pinniped response during a marine oil spill

Understanding the distribution and abundance of wildlife populations is key to successful oil spill response planning. Fur seals are difficult to rehabilitate if oiled, and many common spill response techniques may be limited in the high-energy rocky shore habitats they prefer. Preventing oil from reaching colonies, and hazing or deterring animals away from oil are high-priority response options for pinnipeds during spills. To do this, local knowledge of pinniped distribution and abundance is required, as well as knowledge of effective and safe hazing and deterrence mechanisms. From pup production assessments, we estimated that a population of 13,147-17,675 New Zealand fur seal (NZFS: Arctocephalus forsteri) currently inhabits Banks Peninsula. This area contains the largest port on New Zealand's South Island and a secondary port that is popular with cruise ships, elevating its oil spill risk profile. From the knowledge gained regarding NZFS distribution and abundance, we evaluated mitigation methods which could protect fur seals during oil spills, wherever these species occur, and make suggestions to managers on how to mount an effective pinniped response.

Maintaining ocean ecosystem health with hydrocarbonoclastic microbes

Accidental spills and persisting hydrocarbon pollution caused by petroleum exploitation have deeply disrupted marine ecosystems, including those in the deep oceans and the Arctic Ocean. While physicochemical methods are available for emergency cleanup, microorganisms are ultimately responsible for mineralizing the hydrocarbons. The understanding of environmental effects on the composition and efficiency of hydrocarbon-degrading microbial communities has greatly improved current microorganism-based remediation strategies. This review summarizes recent findings on the physiology, metabolism, and ecology of marine obligate hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms. Strategies for improved biotechnological solutions based on the use of hydrocarbon-degrading microbes are discussed for hydrocarbon remediation in marine water columns, sediments, beaches, and the Arctic.

Microplastics in Agricultural Crops and Their Possible Impact on Farmers' Health: A Review

The indiscriminate use of plastic products and their inappropriate management and disposal contribute to the increasing presence and accumulation of this material in all environmental zones. The chemical properties of plastics and their resistance to natural degradation lead over time to the production of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics, which are dispersed in soil, water, and air and can be absorbed by plants, including those grown for food. In agriculture, MPs can come from many sources (mulch film, tractor tires, compost, fertilizers, and pesticides). The possible effects of this type of pollution on living organisms, especially humans, increase the need to carry out studies to assess occupational exposure in agriculture. It would also be desirable to promote alternative materials to plastic and sustainable agronomic practices to protect the safety and health of agricultural workers.

Efficient solar-driven crude oil cleanup via graphene/cellulose aerogel with radial and centrosymmetric design

Frequent oil spills pose significant threats to ecosystems; therefore, strict requirements are needed for prompt remediation and reclamation of spilled oil. Influenced by the structure of coniferous trees and their water transport, this experiment used cellulose nanofiber (CNF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) to prepare radially centrosymmetric aerogels. By utilizing the in-situ polycondensation reaction of MTMS, CNF, and PVA were connected, and the hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of the aerogel were greatly enhanced. Furthermore, the introduction of graphene oxide (GO), enshrouded within the cross-linked network, engenders heightened photo-thermal effects. The resultant composite aerogel exhibits expeditious oil absorption under solar irradiation and radial layered channel architecture, significantly curtailing the crude oil absorption timeframe (achieving a maximum absorption capacity of 51.7 g/g). Moreover, it demonstrates superior performance in rapidly and repeatedly adsorbing highly viscous crude oil, surpassing existing literature. Notably, continuous absorption of high-viscosity crude oil is achieved by integrating the composite aerogel with a peristaltic pump. This study offers a novel approach to the absorption and retrieval of high-viscosity crude oil, broadening the potential application horizons of CNF-based aerogels within environmental remediation.

Occurrence and ecotoxicological impacts of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in electronic waste (e-waste) in Africa: Options for sustainable and eco-friendly management strategies

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent contaminants used as flame retardants in electronic products. PBDEs are contaminants of concern due to leaching and recalcitrance conferred by the stable and hydrophobic bromide residues. The near absence of legislatures and conscious initiatives to tackle the challenges of PBDEs in Africa has allowed for the indiscriminate use and consequent environmental degradation. Presently, the incidence, ecotoxicity, and remediation of PBDEs in Africa are poorly elucidated. Here, we present a position on the level of contamination, ecotoxicity, and management strategies for PBDEs with regard to Africa. Our review shows that Africa is inundated with PBDEs from the proliferation of e-waste due to factors like the increasing growth in the IT sector worsened by the procurement of second-hand gadgets. An evaluation of the fate of PBDEs in the African environment reveals that the environment is adequately contaminated, although reported in only a few countries like Nigeria and Ghana. Ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and Soxhlet extraction coupled with specific chromatographic techniques are used in the detection and quantification of PBDEs. Enormous exposure pathways in humans were highlighted with health implications. In terms of the removal of PBDEs, we found a gap in efforts in this direction, as not much success has been reported in Africa. However, we outline eco-friendly methods used elsewhere, including microbial degradation, zerovalent iron, supercritical fluid, and reduce, reuse, recycle, and recovery methods. The need for Africa to make and implement legislatures against PBDEs holds the key to reduced effect on the continent.

Synthesis strategies, regeneration, cost analysis, challenges and future prospects of bacterial cellulose-based aerogels for water treatment: A review

Clean water is an integral part of industries, agricultural activities and human life, but water contamination by toxic dyes, heavy metals, and oil spills is increasingly serious in the world. Aerogels with unique properties such as highly porous and extremely low density, tunable surface modification, excellent reusability, and thermal stability can contribute to addressing these issues. Thanks to high purity, biocompatibility and biodegradability, bacterial cellulose can be an ideal precursor source to produce aerogels. Here, we review the modification, regeneration, and applications of bacterial cellulose-based aerogels for water treatment. The modification of bacterial cellulose-based aerogels undergoes coating of hydrophobic agents, carbonization, and incorporation with other materials, e.g., ZIF-67, graphene oxide, nanoparticles, polyaniline. We emphasized features of modified aerogels on porosity, hydrophobicity, density, surface chemistry, and regeneration. Although major limits are relevant to the use of toxic coating agents, difficulty in bacterial culture, and production cost, the bacterial cellulose aerogels can obtain high performance for water treatment, particularly, catastrophic oil spills.

Enhancing biodegradation of vegetable oil-contaminated soil with soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter in microcosm systems

Industrial activities contribute to environmental pollution, particularly through unregulated effluent discharges, causing adverse effects on ecosystems. Vegetable oils, as insoluble substances, exacerbate this pollution, forming impermeable films and affecting the oxygen transfer, leading to serious habitat disruption. Organic wastes, such as soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter, were assessed for their efficacy in enhancing the degradation of vegetable oil in contaminated soil. For this purpose, contaminated soil was amended with each of the wastes (10% w/w) using microcosm systems, which were monitored physico-chemically, microbiologically and toxicologically. Results indicate that the wastes promoted significant oil degradation, achieving 83.1, 90.7, and 86.2% removal for soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter, respectively, within a 90-day period. Additionally, they positively influenced soil microbial activity, as evidenced by increased levels of culturable microorganisms and hydrolytic microbial activity. While bioassays indicated no phytotoxicity in most cases, soybean texturized waste exhibited inhibitory effects on seed germination and root elongation of Lactuca sativa. This study significantly enhances our comprehension of remediation techniques for sites tainted with vegetable oils, highlighting the critical role of organic waste as eco-friendly agents in soil restoration. Emphasizing the practical implications of these findings is imperative to underscore the relevance and urgency of addressing vegetable oil contamination in soil. Moving forward, tailored strategies considering both contaminant characteristics and soil ecosystem traits are vital for ensuring effective and sustainable soil remediation.

Managing deepsea oil spills through a systematic modeling approach

Offshore oil exploration and production in deepwater are associated with environmental risks to marine ecosystems. This research introduces DWOSM (Deep Water Oil Spill Model), a three-dimensional Lagrangian model, which is developed to simulate the transport and fate of oil spills resulting from subsea blowouts. DWOSM comprises three interconnected modules: DWOSM-DSD, which predicts the oil droplet size distribution from a blowout release; DWOSM-NearField, simulating plume dynamics and tracking oil droplets within the plume region; and DWOSM-FarField, modeling the evolution of dispersed oil beyond the near-field. Compared to other oil spill models, this integrated approach improves the transition between near and far fields using a near-field particle tracking algorithm. It also employs the thermodynamic models to enable the prediction of oil properties under varying deep water pressure and temperature. To gauge the reliability and efficacy of DWOSM, a hypothetical case situated within a North American context is employed for model testing. The DWOSM and its each module are juxtaposed with other established oil spill models. The outcomes indicate that DWOSM yields comparable results to these models by providing reasonable predictions of a deepwater blowout. The model's verification through case scenario testing and comparison underscores its potential as a decision tool for assessing and managing the potential environmental impacts of offshore petroleum activities.

Evaluation of surfactant-aided polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biodegradation by molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation in the marine environment

Marine oil spills directly cause polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution and affect marine organisms due to their toxic property. Chemical and bio-based dispersants composed of surfactants and solvents are considered effective oil spill-treating agents. Dispersants enhance oil biodegradation in the marine environment by rapidly increasing their solubility in the water column. However, the effect of dispersants, especially surfactants, on PAHs degradation by enzymes produced by microorganisms has not been studied at the molecular level. The role of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme in converting contaminants into reactive metabolites during the biodegradation process has been evidenced, but the activity in the presence of surfactants is still ambiguous. Thus, this study focused on the evaluation of the impact of chemical and bio-surfactants (i.e., Tween 80 (TWE) and Surfactin (SUC)) on the biodegradation of naphthalene (NAP), chrysene (CHR), and pyrene (PYR), the representative components of PAHs, with CYP enzyme from microalgae Parachlorella kessleri using molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The molecular docking analysis revealed that PAHs bound to residues at the CYP active site through hydrophobic interactions for biodegradation. The MD simulation showed that the surfactant addition changed the enzyme conformation in the CYP-PAH complexes to provide more interactions between the enzyme and PAHs. This led to an increase in the enzyme's capability to degrade PAHs. Binding free energy (ΔG‌‌Bind) calculations confirmed that surfactant treatment could enhance PAHs degradation by the enzyme. The SUC gave a better result on NAP and PYR biodegradation based on ΔG‌‌Bind, while TWE facilitated the biodegradation of CHR. The research outputs could greatly facilitate evaluating the behaviors of oil spill-treating agents and oil spill response operations in the marine environment.

Association of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) with micro/nano-plastics: A review of recent findings on ecotoxicological and health impacts

Despite the diverse research into the environmental impact of plastics, several stones have yet to be unraveled in terms of their ecotoxicological potential. Moreover, their detrimental impacts have become terrifying in recent years as the understanding of their tendency to associate and form cohorts with other emerging contaminants grew. Despite the hypothesis that microplastics may potentially adsorb organic pollutants, sequestering and making them not bioavailable for enhanced toxicity, evidence with pollutants such as Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) defers this assertion. TBBPA, one of the most widely used brominated flame retardants, has been enlisted as an emerging contaminant of serious environmental and human health concerns. Being also an additive to plasticware, it is not far to suspect that TBBPA could be found in association with micro/nanoplastics in our environment. Several pieces of evidence from recent studies have confirmed the micro/nanoplastics-TBBPA association and have exposed their compounded detrimental impacts on the environment and human health. This study, therefore, presents a comprehensive and up-to-date review of recent findings regarding their occurrence, factors that foster their association, including their sorption kinetics and isotherms, and their impacts on aquatic/agroecosystem and human health. The way forward and prospects for future studies were presented. This research is believed to be of significant interest to the readership due to its relevance to current environmental challenges posed by plastics and TBBPA. The study not only contributes valuable insights into the specific interaction between micro/nanoplastics and TBBPA but also suggests the way forward and prospects for future studies in this field.

Improved Synthesis of Cu2O NPs and Ascorbic Acid-Modified Derivatives for Adsorption of Brilliant Cresyl Blue: Surface and Reusability Studies

This study addresses the critical need for efficient and recyclable photocatalysts for water treatment applications by presenting a novel approach for the synthesis and characterization of copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles modified with ascorbic acid (Cu2O/AA). The motivation for this research stems from the increasing concern about environmental pollution caused by organic pollutants, such as Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB), and the necessity for sustainable solutions to mitigate this issue. Through comprehensive characterization techniques including Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), zeta potential measurements, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, we demonstrate a significant modification to the electronic structure, enhancing the photocatalytic activity of Cu2O/AA. BET analysis revealed a mesoporous structure with a specific surface area of 2.7247 m2/g for Cu2O/AA, further emphasizing its potential for enhanced catalytic performance. The photocatalytic degradation studies showcased remarkable efficiency improvements, with degradation coefficients of 30.8% and 73.12% for Cu2O NPs and Cu2O/AA NC, respectively, within a 120 min timeframe. Additionally, recyclability experiments indicated sustained efficiency over five consecutive cycles, with both catalysts retaining crystalline integrity. These findings underscore the promising potential of Cu2O/AA nanoparticles as highly efficient and recyclable photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants, offering superior performance compared to pure Cu2O NPs and addressing the pressing need for sustainable water treatment solutions.

Sustainable polyurethane for the remediation of oil spills: a review

Catastrophic oil spill is one of the major issues to the environment. Various methods have been used to treat oil spillage including in situ burning, the use of skimmers, dispersants, bioremediation, dispersing agents, oil sorbents, and biological agents. Application of oil sorbent is one of the effective solutions in oil spill clean-up. Polymers are sustainable extraordinary materials for the treatment of oil spillage due to their special physicochemical characteristics such as high porosity, good hydrophobicity, and reusability. Polymers are modified using suitable chemical reagents and their hydrophobicity is enhanced, making them suitable for oil spill clean-up. The present manuscript is an attempt to summarize the study of chemical modifications done on a polymer polyurethane (PU) for achieving the desirable properties, for efficient oil spill clean-up. A patent analysis has been carried out for the leading countries, top inventors, leading assignees, trends of patent publications, citation analysis, and summary of granted patents in the area of the use of a polymer Polyurethane (PU) for oil spill clean-up.

Biochar-based materials as remediation strategy in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil and water: Performances, mechanisms, and environmental impact

Petroleum contamination is considered as a major risk to the health of humans and environment. Biochars as low-cost and eco-friendly carbon materials, have been widely used for the removal of petroleum hydrocarbon in the environment. The purpose of this paper is to review the performance, mechanisms, and potential environmental toxicity of biochar, modified biochar and its integration use with other materials in petroleum contaminated soil and water. Specifically, the use of biochar in oil-contaminated water and soil as well as the factors that could influence the removal ability of biochar were systematically evaluated. In addition, the modification and integrated use of biochar for improving the removal efficiency were summarized from the aspects of sorption, biodegradation, chemical degradation, and reusability. Moreover, the functional impacts and associated ecotoxicity of pristine and modified biochars in various environments were demonstrated. Finally, some shortcoming of current approaches, and future research needs were provided for the future direction and challenges of modified biochar research. Overall, this paper gain insight into biochar application in petroleum remediation from the perspectives of performance enhancement and environmental sustainability.

Microplastics drive community dynamics of periphytic protozoan fauna in marine environments

The pollution of microplastics (MPs) to the marine environment has become a widespread focus of attention. To assess MP-induced ecotoxicity on marine ecosystems, periphytic protozoan communities were used as test organisms and exposed to five concentrations of MPs: 0, 1, 5, 25, and 125 mg l-1. Protozoan samples were collected using microscope slides from coastal waters of the Yellow Sea, northern China. A total of 13 protozoan species were identified and represented different tolerance to MP-induced ecotoxicity. Inhibition effects of MPs on the test protozoan communities were clearly shown in terms of both the species richness and individual abundance and followed linear relationships to MP concentrations. The community patterns were driven by MPs and significantly shifted at concentrations over 5 mg l-1. Our findings demonstrated that MPs may induce the community-level ecotoxic response of periphytic protozoan fauna and followed significant community dynamics. Thus, it is suggested that periphytic protozoan fauna may be used as useful community-based test model organisms for evaluating MP-induced ecotoxicity in marine environments.

TDA/rGO@WS with Joule heat and photothermal synergistic effect: A promising adsorption material for all-weather recovery of viscous oil spills at sea

Oil spills are a global environmental protection challenge, and traditional adsorption materials have poor effect on low temperature and high viscosity marine oil spills. This article reports composite adsorption materials TDA/rGO@WS for viscous oil spills: loaded with rGO/TDA coating on a commercial biomass wood pulp sponge (WS), achieving Joule heating, photothermal effect and hydrophobic modification. The results showed that the TDA/rGO@WS has good photothermal conversion ability and Joule heating ability, and the temperature increased to 83.7 °C and 148 °C, respectively, under simulated solar irradiation and additional voltage at room temperature. The efficiency of adsorption at a low temperature of 5 °C increased by 22.41% at 1 sun and by 51.53% at 10 V. Temperature effectively reduced the viscosity of the offshore oil spill and ensures the efficient adsorption of oil spills at low temperatures promoted. The TDA/rGO@WS also showed good hydrophobicity (WCA=129°), excellent efficiency of water-oil separation (99.53%) and good adsorption capacity (9.4-13.68 g/g) for marine fuel oils. TDA/rGO@WS effectively solves the problem of cleaning up high-viscosity oil spills from ships in winter and polar waters, and proposes a new strategy for all-weather efficient treatment of oil spills at sea.

Modified silica-based double-layered hydrophobic-coated stainless steel mesh and its application for oil/seawater separation

A double-layered hydrophobic-coated stainless steel mesh (CSSM) was successfully prepared by vapor deposition of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to form aerosol silica (SiO2) particles on SSM followed by coating with the in situ modified SiO2 generated in the natural rubber (NR) latex for use in oil/seawater separation. The in situ SiO2 particles were modified with octyltriethoxysilane (OTES) or hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS). Transmission electron microscopy, 29Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to determine the structure of the in situ modified SiO2 generated in the NR latex. Scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle analyses were applied to characterize the morphology and hydrophobicity of the CSSM, respectively. The presence of aerosol SiO2 particles from PDMS and in situ modified SiO2 by OTES (MSi-O) or HDTMS (MSi-H) generated in the NR could enhance the surface roughness and hydrophobicity of the CSSM. The hydrophobic CSSM was then applied for the separation of chloroform/seawater and crude oil/seawater mixtures. A high separation efficiency (up to 99.3%) with the PDMS/NR/MSi-H CSSM was obtained and the mesh was reusable for up to 20 cycles.

Formation and sedimentation of oil-mineral aggregates in the presence of chemical dispersant

The formation and sedimentation of oil-mineral aggregates (OMAs) is the major method to transport spilled oil to the seafloor. In this study, the formation and sedimentation experiments of OMA using montmorillonite and four crude oils were performed in a wave tank in the presence of chemical dispersant. Most of the formed OMAs were droplet OMAs, and single droplet OMA would aggregate into multiple ones under the action of the dispersant. The size of the oil droplets trapped in the OMA increased with time and was larger for the oil with higher viscosity. The sinking velocities of OMAs formed in this study were between 100-1200 μm s-1 and they were positively correlated with their diameter. The density of OMA was of the same order as that of the crude oil that formed them. An increase in the dispersant dosage could promote the formation of OMAs. The oil content in OMAs was higher for the denser oil in the presence of a dispersant. The maximum oil trapping efficiency of OMAs was 48.05%. This study provides fundamental data on the formation kinetics of OMAs.

MXene/Graphene modified cellulose aerogel for photo-electro-assisted all-weather cleanup of high-viscous crude oil from spill

The frequent occurrence of oil spills has led to serious environmental pollution and ecological issues. Given the high-viscosity of crude oil, it is essential to develop sorbents with efficient viscosity reduction and sorption capacity in various environmental conditions. Herein, a superhydrophobic carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) aerogel co-modified by MXene and graphene jointly (M-Mxene/Gr CA) with aligned channels structure was prepared. The aligned channels structure can effectively improve the longitudinal thermal conductivity and reduce the sorption resistance. Through the modification of MXene and graphene, the aerogel realized efficient photo/electro-thermal conversion, thus ensuring its adaption to various working environments. The rapid heat generation can significantly reduce the viscosity of crude oil, achieving rapid recovery. Under one sun illumination (1.0 kW/m2), the surface temperature of M-Mxene/Gr CA can reach 72.6 °C and its sorption capability for high-viscous crude oil reaches 18 g/g. Combining photo-thermal and electro-thermal (0.5 kW/m2 and 23 V), the average sorption rate of crude oil can reach 1.3 × 107 g m-3 s-1. Finally, we present a continuous sorption system to recover offshore oil spills under the assistance of a pump. This work provides a new option for tackling high-viscous offshore oil spills due to its environmental friendliness and fast sorption capacity.

Bioremediation of an industrial soil contaminated by hydrocarbons in microcosm system, involving bioprocesses utilizing co-products and agro-industrial wastes

The present study describes practical implication of bioaugmentation and biostimulation processes for bioremediation of an industrial soil chronically contaminated by hydrocarbons. For this purpose, biomass production of six autochthonous hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were evaluated as inoculum of bioaugmentation strategy, by testing carbon and nitrogen sources included co-products and agro-industrial waste as sustainable and low-cost components of the growth medium. Otherwise, biostimulation was approached by the addition of optimized concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus. Microcosm assays showed that total hydrocarbons (TH) were significantly removed from chronically contaminated soil undergoing bioremediation treatment. Systems Mix (bioaugmentation); N,P (biostimulation) and Mix + N,P (bioaugmentation and biostimulation) reached higher TH removal, being 89.85%, 91.00%, 93.04%, respectively, comparing to 77.83% of system C (natural attenuation) at 90 days. The increased heterotrophic aerobic bacteria and hydrocarbon degrading bacteria counts were according to TH biodegrading process during the experiments. Our results showed that biostimulation with nutrients represent a valuable alternative tool to treat a chronically hydrocarbon-contaminated industrial soil, while bioaugmentation with a consortium of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria would be justified when the soil has a low amount of endogenous degrading microorganisms. Furthermore, the production of inoculum for application in bioaugmentation using low-cost substrates, such as industrial waste, would lead to the development of an environmentally friendly and attractive process in terms of cost-benefit.

Sorption Capacity of Polydimethylsiloxane Foams Filled with Thermal-Treated Bentonite-Polydimethylsiloxane Composite Foams for Oil Spill Remediation

The spillage of oil causes severe and long-lasting impacts on both the environment and human life. It is crucial to carefully reconsider the methods and techniques currently employed to recover spilled oil in order to prevent any possible secondary pollution and save time. Therefore, the techniques used to recover spilled oil should be readily available, highly responsive, cost-effective, environmentally safe, and, last but not least, they should have a high sorption capacity. The use of sorbents obtained from natural materials is considered a suitable approach for dealing with oil spills because of their exceptional physical characteristics that support sustainable environmental protection strategies. This article presents a novel sorbent material, which is a composite siloxane foam filled with bentonite clay, aimed at enhancing the hydrophobic and oleophilic behavior of the material. The thermal treatment of bentonite optimizes its sorption capacity by eliminating water, and increasing the surface area, and, consequently, its interaction with oils. In particular, the maximum sorption capacity is observed in kerosene and naphtha for the bentonite clay thermally treated at 600 °C, showing an uptake at saturation of 496.8% and 520.1%, respectively. Additionally, the reusability of the composite foam is evaluated by squeezing it after reaching its saturation point to determine its sorption capacity and reusability.

Investigating the crude oil biodegradation performance in membrane bioreactor by using a consortium of symbiotic bacteria

Crude oil pollution is one of the most serious environmental issues today, and the clean-up procedure is perhaps the most difficult. Within one to three weeks, the vast majority of oil bacteria may degrade approximately 60% of the crude oil, leaving approximately 40% intact. The by-product metabolites produced during the breakdown of oil are essentially organic molecules in nature. These metabolites inhibit its enzymes, preventing the oil bacteria from further degrading the oil. By combining a variety of different oils with heterotrophic bacteria in a bioreactor, the rate of crude oil biodegradation was accelerated. In this study, two strains of oil-resistant, heterotrophic bacteria (OG1 and OG2-Erythrobacter citreus) and a bacterium that uses hydrocarbons (AR3-Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes) were used. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy was used to investigate the effectiveness of this consortium of symbiotic bacteria in the biodegradation of crude oil. According to gravimetric and gas chromatography analyses, the consortium bacteria digested 69.6% of the crude oil in the bioreactor, while the AR3 single strain was only able to destroy 61.9% of it. Under the same experimental conditions, consortium bacteria degraded approximately 84550.851 ppb (96.3%) of 16 aliphatic hydrocarbons and 9333.178 ppb (70.5%) of 16 aromatic hydrocarbons in the bioreactor. It may be inferred that the novel consortium of symbiotic bacteria accelerated the biodegradation process and had great potential for use in increasing the bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated locations.

Combined effects of chemical dispersant and suspended minerals on the dispersion process of spilled oil

The dispersion process of spilled oil is an important concern for the effective disposal of oil spills. The dispersed oil concentration and oil droplets size distribution were studied through a wave tank test under the application of chemical dispersant and suspended minerals. The results indicated that dispersant and minerals increased the dispersed oil concentration and the effect of dispersant was more significant, and they had a synergistic effect on oil dispersion. When dispersant and minerals were applied together, the volume mean diameter of oil droplets decreased in the first 30 min, then increased and reached a maximum value at 90-120 min, and decreased again. Moreover, suspended minerals could inhibit the coalescence of oil droplets. This study can afford data support for oil spill emergency response that occurs in inshore or estuaries.

Use of Shotgun Metagenomics to Assess the Microbial Diversity and Hydrocarbons Degrading Functions of Auto-Mechanic Workshops Soils Polluted with Gasoline and Diesel Fuel

Bioaugmentation is a valuable technique for oil recovery. This study investigates the composition and functions of microbial communities in gasoline- and diesel-contaminated soils of garages Matoko (SGM) and Guy et Paul (SGP) originating from auto mechanic workshops as well as the concentration of soil enzymes β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase. The work aimed to evaluate the presence of petroleum-hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria for the development of foreseen bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils. Microbial diversity, as given by shotgun metagenomics, indicated the presence of 16 classes, among which Actinobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria dominated, as well as more than 50 families, including the dominant Gordoniaceae (26.63%) in SGM and Pseudomonadaceae (57.89%) in SGP. The dominant bacterial genera in the two soils were, respectively, Gordonia (26.7%) and Pseudomonas (57.9%). The exploration of the bacterial metabolic abilities using HUMANn2 allowed to detect genes and pathways involved in alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons in the two contaminated soils. Furthermore, enzymes β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase were found in high concentrations ranging between 90.27 ± 5.3 and 804.17 ± 20.5 µg pN/g soil/h, which indicated active microbial metabolism. The high diversity of microorganisms with a hydrocarbon degradation genetic package revealed that the bacteria inhabiting the two soils are likely good candidates for the bioaugmentation of oil-contaminated soils.

Current Trends in Bioaugmentation Tools for Bioremediation: A Critical Review of Advances and Knowledge Gaps

Bioaugmentation is widely used in soil bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and air biofiltration. The addition of microbial biomass to contaminated areas can considerably improve their biodegradation performance. Nevertheless, analyses of large data sets on the topic available in literature do not provide a comprehensive view of the mechanisms responsible for inoculum-assisted stimulation. On the one hand, there is no universal mechanism of bioaugmentation for a broad spectrum of environmental conditions, contaminants, and technology operation concepts. On the other hand, further analyses of bioaugmentation outcomes under laboratory conditions and in the field will strengthen the theoretical basis for a better prediction of bioremediation processes under certain conditions. This review focuses on the following aspects: (i) choosing the source of microorganisms and the isolation procedure; (ii) preparation of the inoculum, e.g., cultivation of single strains or consortia, adaptation; (iii) application of immobilised cells; (iv) application schemes for soil, water bodies, bioreactors, and hydroponics; and (v) microbial succession and biodiversity. Reviews of recent scientific papers dating mostly from 2022-2023, as well as our own long-term studies, are provided here.

Emerging soil contamination of antibiotics resistance bacteria (ARB) carrying genes (ARGs): New challenges for soil remediation and conservation

Soil plays a vital role as a nutrient source for microflora and plants in ecosystems. The accumulation and proliferation of antibiotics resistance bacteria (ARB) and antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) causes emerging soil contamination and pollution, posing new challenges for soil remediation, recovery, and conservation. Fertilizer application in agriculture is one of the most important sources of ARB and ARGs contamination in soils. The recent existing techniques for the remediation of soil polluted with ARB and ARGs are very limited in terms of ARB and ARGs removal in soil. Bioelectrochemical remediation using bioelectrochemical systems such as microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells are promising technologies for the removal of ARB and ARGs in soil. Herein, diverse sources of ARB and ARGs in soil have been reviewed, their effects on soil microbial diversity have been analyzed, and the causes of ARB and ARGs rapid proliferation in soil are explained. Bioelectrochemical systems used for the remediation of soil contaminated with ARB and ARGs is still in its infancy stage and presents serious disadvantage and limits, therefore it needs to be well understood and implemented. In general, merging soil contamination of ARB and ARGs is an increasing concern threatening the soil ecosystem while the remediation technologies are still challenging. Efforts need to be made to develop new, effective, and efficient technologies for soil remediation and conservation to tackle the spread of ARB and ARGs and overcome the new challenges posed by ARB and ARGs contamination in soil.