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Screening the Toxicity and Biodegradability of Petroleum Hydrocarbons by a Rapid Colorimetric Method

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Abstract

Crude oil and petroleum products have a wide variety of hazardous components with high toxicity and low biodegradability. Certain dyes change their colors by intercepting electron transfer reactions during the transformation processes. This study applied resazurin and 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol indicators for a rapid screening biodegradation capability and toxicity response to various petroleum products such as motor oil, diesel, gasoline, and phenol. Colorimetry tests were performed in test tubes, and the absorbance values were measured over time. We observed different discoloration profiles after degradation tests using Bacillus subtilis inoculum. Phytotoxicity assays were also performed to compare colorimetric screening assays with a conventional toxicity testing with plants (seed germination). The results indicated that biotransformation of oils can increase its overall toxicity. Intermediate byproducts can be formed through biodegradation and thereby increase the toxicity of oils. The assessment of acute toxicity has shown that phenol is extremely toxic to petroleum-biodegrading microbial communities. Low molecular-weight gasoline was considered biodegradable, but it also exhibited a high acute toxic effect, mainly due to its high solubility and the presence of more volatile compounds that can penetrate cells and potentially damage cellular structures.

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Acknowledgments

Our research group acknowledges Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP, Programa de Formação de Recursos Humanos em Geologia do Petróleo e Ciências Ambientais Aplicadas ao Setor de Petróleo & Gás e de Biocombustíveis, and Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) for financial support.

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  1. Departamento de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Instituto de Biociências, UNESP – University Estadual Paulista, Avenida 24 A, 1515 – Bela Vista, Rio Claro, SP, CEP 13506-900, Brazil

    Renato Nallin Montagnolli, Paulo Renato Matos Lopes & Ederio Dino Bidoia

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Montagnolli, R.N., Lopes, P.R.M. & Bidoia, E.D. Screening the Toxicity and Biodegradability of Petroleum Hydrocarbons by a Rapid Colorimetric Method. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 68, 342–353 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-014-0112-9

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