Lysinibacillus sphaericus proved to have potential for the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT

In this study, the ability of Lysinibacillus sphaericus to degrade aromatic hydrocarbons as well as complex hydrocarbon mixtures, such as diesel oil and oily sludge, was evaluated. L. sphaericus was able to grow when toluene, naphthalene, or phenanthrene were used as a sole carbon source in minimal salt medium. Removal efficiencies of up to 95% were found for C₁₀-C₂₈ hydrocarbons in the biodegradation assays of diesel oil. The biodegradation of oily sludge was evaluated in landfarming-like experiments in the open air and in completely covered containers in the field. After 50 days of treatment, the removal efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbons in open-air and closed assays was of 84.1% and 60.1%, respectively. Furthermore, L. sphaericus was able to degrade volatile hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and phenol) in the headspace of closed containers, preventing the emission of these compounds to the atmosphere. L. sphaericus was herein proposed as a promising candidate to be used in bioremediation strategies of petroleum hydrocarbons.

KEYWORDS:

• biodegradation
• hydrocarbons
• oily sludge
• field
• Lysinibacillus sphaericus

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the School of Science at Universidad de los Andes, Colombia, and Biointech E.U. (Private industry). The funding entities played no part in the design of the study, collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data or in writing the manuscript. Biointech E.U. played a role in the experimental setup of the in-field assays.