Effect of microorganisms in the bioremediation of spent engine oil and petroleum related environmental pollution

The technological developments currently witnessed in the world regarding the utilization of hydrocarbon related products have increasingly brought about all forms of hydrocarbon related environmental pollution. This current review documents the influence of hydrocarbon utilizing microorganisms in bringing about biodegradation of spent engine oil and other petroleum related environmental pollution.  Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria and fungi when given optimum environmental  conditions and nutritional requirements have been documented to bring about effective bioremediation of oil polluted environments. This review has compiled the monumental influence of hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms most especially bacteria and fungi in aiding bioremediation of spent engine oil and other petroleum related environmental pollution. Pseudomonas alcaligenes LR14 (59%), Klebsiella aerogenes CR21 (62%), Klebsiella pneumonia CR23 (58%), Bacillus coagulans CR31 (45%) and Pseudomonas putrefacience CR33 (68%) reportedly exhibited spent engine oil polluted soil degradation rate while Fungi like Aspergillus,  Cephalosporium and Pencillium species were also found to be the potential microorganisms responsible for hydrocarbon bioremediation. This current review, equally documents the environmental and nutritional requirements needed by these hydrocarbon oxidizers to accomplish the desired bioremediation process

A review of the influence of irrigation water on the selected physical and chemical properties of wetland soils of northern Nigeria

Wetlands are soils subjected to excessive wetness, to the extent that the wet conditions influence the possible land uses. To some  extent, irrigation water is rampantly being applied on these wetlands without observing and considered the possible short and long-term effects on the soil. This paper provides a review on the influence of irrigation water on the physical and chemical properties of wetland soils. It is evident that most of these wetlands are of high importance to food security and sustainability which are however, influenced by the application of irrigation water. However, it has been reported that decrease in soil pH as a result of continuous build-up of salts due to poor soil management, fertilizer application and poor irrigation water quality has adversely affected the soil surface. The presence of exchangeable Ca, Mg and Na as carbonates influence hydroxyl ions over hydrogen ions in the soil solution therefore making the soil alkaline. The continuous intensive cropping without addition of organic matter and crop residues has rendered theirrigated areas low of organic carbon when compared to non-irrigated areas. Moreover, due to poor seasonal drainage taking place in wetlands, the rate of OM decomposition and mineralization reduces in the soils. Nonetheless, the influence of irrigation water on the physical and chemical properties of the wetlands differs among wetlands, and even within the same wetlands. In conclusion, most of the wetlands were neither saline nor sodic but if not properly manage, could lead to build-up of exchangeable bases. Keywords: Wetland soils, physico-chemical properties, calcium carbonates, organic carbon, crop residues and irrigation wate

Bio-enhanced removal of hydrocarbon contents from spent engine oil contaminated soil using Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus co-culture

The study assessed the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from spent engine oil (SEO) contaminated soil through bioenhancement of bacteria isolated from SEO polluted soil. Sterilized soil was subjected to a three level of SEO contamination before the addition of sterilized biostimulants including powdered cow dung (CD), powdered cocoa pod husk (CPH) and compost (made from fresh CPH and CD). Bacterial inoculum being Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus co-culture (150 mL) was added to the mixture in polyethylene bags. It was a factorial experiment that was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD). The TPH and PAHs were estimated in the first day, fifth week and the tenth week that the room incubation lasted. Results generated from the influence of biostimulants on TPH and PAHs degradation potential of the bacterial co-culture showed that degradation of the hydrocarbon contents was significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). At the tenth week, compost enhanced the most TPH reductions (315 and 380 mg kg–1) compared with other biostimulants on 5% and 15% SEO contamination levels, respectively. Compost equally enhanced the most PAHs reductions (48.8, 39.6 and 94.6 mg kg–1) compared with other biostimulants on 5%, 10% and 15% SEO contamination levels respectively. However, the quantity of SEO contents degraded was significantly higher in the bioaugmented and biostimulated soil samples compared with the control employed. The technology adopted in this study can be effectively employed for the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon related pollution