Remediation of Oily Waste using Soil Organic Nutrient Stimulant

Aims: This present study aim at assessing the efficacy of soil-organic nutrient stimulant in the remediation of oily waste.

Study design: Preparation of Soil-goat dung mix was used as stimulant for the remediation of oily waste.

Place and duration of study: The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria in the dry season months of January - March

Methodology: Remediation of oily waste using soil - organic (goat dung) nutrient stimulant was assessed for 12 weeks using standard culture-dependent microbiological, chemical and enzyme activity assay procedures.

Results: The results indicate increased counts of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes with remediation time. Microorganisms belonging to the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Serratia, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Rhodococcus, Nocardia and Streptomyces were recovered from the remediated waste. The pH of the soil-goat dung treatment ranged from 6.5 ± 0.02 to 7.1 ± 0.05. Enzyme activity by dehydrogenase and urease were higher than phenol oxidase with time. PAHs were below detectable limits (< 0.01) and reduction in total petroleum hydrocarbon was 99.3% for the remediated waste.

Conclusion: Overall, enhanced microbial activities correlated positively with reduction in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon and PAH composition which resulted in ecofriendly waste product. Soil-goat dung stimulant can therefore serve as a cheap alternative in the management of oily waste.