Abstract
We studied petroleum biodegradation by biostimulation by using water in oil in water (W/O/W) double emulsions. These emulsions were developed using seawater, canola oil, surfactants, and mineral salts as sources of NPK. The emulsions were used in the simulation of hydrocarbon bioremediation in oligotrophic sea water. Hydrocarbon biodegradation was evaluated by CO2 emissions from microcosms. We also evaluated the release of inorganic nutrients and the stability of the emulsion’s droplets. The double emulsions improved CO2 emission from the microcosms, suggesting the increase in the hydrocarbon biodegradation. Mineral nutrients were gradually released from the emulsions supporting the hydrocarbon biodegradation. This was attributed to the formation of different diameters of droplets and therefore, varying stabilities of the droplets. Addition of the selected hydrocarbonoclastic isolates simulating bioaugmentation improved the hydrocarbon biodegradation. We conclude that the nutrient-rich W/O/W emulsion developed in this study is an effective biostimulation agent for bioremediation in oligotrophic aquatic environments.
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Acknowledgment
We are thankful to the Brazilian Navy, FAPEMIG, and CAPES.
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This work was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico- CNPq), which provided all approvals, permits (project grant number 405544/2012-0), and authorization access to genetic resources (process number 010645/2013-6).
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Rodrigues, E.M., de Carvalho Teixeira, A.V.N., Cesar, D.E. et al. Strategy to improve crude oil biodegradation in oligotrophic aquatic environments: W/O/W fertilized emulsions and hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria. Braz J Microbiol 51, 1159–1168 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-020-00244-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42770-020-00244-x