Short-term study of biological degradation of diesel oil by bacteria isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil

Abstract

The use of fossil fuels leads to environmental contamination during their extraction, processing and distribution. Microbial biodegradation provides a sustainable method for cleaning contaminated areas which follows the principles of sustainability. This paper presents the dynamics of biodegradation of hydrocarbon fractions of diesel oil, using Planomicrobium sp. and Rhodococcus sp. isolated from petroleum-contaminated sites. GC–MS analysis was employed to analyse abundances of the specific compounds such as n-alkanes, isoprenoids, sesquitepranes, hopanes, steranes and aromatic compounds (naphthalene and its methylated homologues, phenanthrene and anthracene and their methylated homologues, and dibenzothiophene and its methylated homologues). The obtained results showed that after 30 days of biodegradation of diesel, a significant degradation was achieved, with almost complete degradation of n-alkanes and a decrease in the amount of sesquiterapanes. Rhodococcus sp. had a higher efficiency in degradation of n-alkanes, while Planomicrobium sp. had a higher efficiency in the degradation of branched hydrocarbons. Both strains showed high activity in the biodegradation of sesquitepranes and demonstrate ability to degrade methylated phenanthrenes. Additionally, dimethyl-dibenzothiophenes were almost completely degraded and removed from the system. This study presents the first comprehensive report on the GC–MS analysis of the diesel biodegradation pattern of the Planomicrobium sp., compared with the well-established Rhodococcus sp.

Keywords:

• diesel oil
• GC–MS analysis
• Planomicorbium sp.
• Rhodococcus sp.
• bacterial biodegradation

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia (Grant No: 451-03-47/2023-01/200026).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jelena Milić

J. Milić, PhD Biochem, is Senior Research Associate at Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade. The field of study is the bioremediation of locations contaminated by petroleum and its derivatives, with a particular focus on microbiological processes that transform these pollutants.

Tatjana Šolević Knudsen

T. Šolević Knudsen, PhD Chem, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade. The fields of study are: development of analytical methods for analyses of organic compounds in different matrices; chemodynamics of organic pollutants.

Ivan Kojić

I. Kojić, PhD Chem, Innovative Centre, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade. The field of study is identification and quantitative analysis of organic pollutants geologic and environmental samples.

Jelena Avdalović

J. Avdalović, PhD Biochem, is Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Chemistry, Technology, and Metallurgy, a National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade. Dr. Avdalović has more than 20 years of experience in biochemistry and biotechnology, bioremediation of soil and groundwater.

Mila Ilić

M. Ilić, PhD Biochem, Senior Research Associate at Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade. The field of research is remediation of locations contaminated by petroleum and its derivatives. The focus is on analytical methods for the detection of pollutants and their degradation products.

Miroslav M. Vrvić

M.M. Vrvić, PhD Chem, Full Research Professor, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade-Retired, Head of R&D Department BREM GROUP Ltd. & NRK ENGINEERING Ltd.