Skip to main content

Importance of organic amendment characteristics on bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 23, pages 15041–15052 (2016)Cite this article

Abstract

This study investigates the importance of the organic matter characteristics of several organic amendments (i.e., buffalo manure, food and kitchen waste, fruit and vegetables waste, and activated sewage sludge) and their influence in the bioremediation of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-contaminated soil. The removal of low molecular weights (LMW) and high molecular weights (HMW) PAHs was monitored in four bioremediation reactors and used as an indicator of the role of organic amendments in contaminant removal. The total initial concentration of LMW PAHs was 234 mg kg−1 soil (dry weight), while the amount for HMW PAHs was 422 mg kg−1 soil (dry weight). Monitoring of operational parameters and chemical analysis was performed during 20 weeks. The concentrations of LMW PAH residues in soil were significantly lower in reactors that displayed a mesophilic phase, i.e., 11 and 15 %, compared to reactors that displayed a thermophilic phase, i.e., 29 and 31 %. Residual HMW PAHs were up to five times higher compared to residual LMW PAHs, depending on the reactor. This demonstrated that the amount of added organic matter and macronutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, the biochemical organic compound classes (mostly soluble fraction and proteins), and the operational temperature are important factors affecting the overall efficiency of bioremediation. On that basis, this study shows that characterization of biochemical families could contribute to a better understanding of the effects of organic amendments and clarify their different efficiency during a bioremediation process of PAH-contaminated soil.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

References

  • Ankom Technology (2015a) Analytical Methods [WWW Document]. https://www.ankom.com/analytical-methods-support/fiber-analyzer-a2000. Accessed 6 Dec 2015

  • Ankom Technology (2015b) http://www.google.fr/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.catherinecardelus.com%2Fankom_protocol-2.doc&ei=HrY_VcH5F4L8aP34gXA&usg=AFQjCNEdB-xVt8KMRqqryd1PcS6jzcYVag&bvm=bv.91665533,d.d2s. Accessed 28 April 2015.

  • Antizar-Ladislao B, Lopez-Real J, Beck AJ (2005) In-vessel composting-bioremediation of aged coal tar soil: effect of temperature and soil/green waste amendment ratio. Environ Int 31:173–178. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2004.09.012

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA American Public Health Association (APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), 1998. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), 5220 D Closed Reflux, Colorimetric method in: Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater

  • ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials, 1999. Standard Test Method for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass. Designation: D 2216 – 98

  • Atagana HI, Haynes RJ, Wallis FM (2003) Co-composting of soil heavily contaminated with creosote with cattle manure and vegetable waste for the bioremediation of creosote-contaminated Soil. An Int. J. 885–899

  • Bamforth SM, Singleton I (2005) Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: current knowledge and future directions. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 80:723–736. doi:10.1002/jctb.1276

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bergknut M (2006) Characterization of PAH-contaminated soils focusing on availability, chemical composition and biological effects. PhD thesis pp. 58, Umeå University

  • Bot A, Benites J (2005) The importance of soil organic matter, Key to drought-resistant soil and sustained food production, FAO Soils Bulletin. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. doi:10.1080/03650340214162

  • Brinch UC, Ekelund F, Jacobsen CS (2002) Method for Spiking Soil Samples with Organic Compounds. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 68. doi:10.1128/AEM.68.4.1808

  • Dreyer A, Radke M, Turunen J, Blodau C (2005) Long-term change of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon deposition to peatlands of eastern Canada. Environ Sci Technol 39:3918–3924

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dulekgurgen E (2004) Proteins Protocol 2 Lowry solution [WWW Document]. UIUC. URL http://web.itu.edu.tr/~dulekgurgen/Proteins.pdf . Accessed 22 May 2015

  • Eom IC, Rast C, Veber AM, Vasseur P (2007) Ecotoxicity of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated soil. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 67:190–205. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.12.020

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Luqueño F, Marsch R, Espinosa-Victoria D, Thalasso F, Hidalgo Lara ME, Munive A, Luna-Guido ML, Dendooven L (2008) Remediation of PAHs in a saline-alkaline soil amended with wastewater sludge and the effect on dynamics of C and N. Sci Total Environ 402:18–28. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.04.040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gan S, Lau EV, Ng HK (2009) Remediation of soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). J Hazard Mater 172:532–549. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.07.118

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerin TF (2000) The differential removal of aged polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from soil during bioremediation. Environ Sci Pollut Res 7:19–26. doi:10.1065/espr199910.004

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haderlein A, Legros R, Ramsay BA (2006) Pyrene mineralization capacity increases with compost maturity. Biodegradation 17:293–302. doi:10.1007/s10532-005-4217-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hood EE, Nelson P, Powell R (2011) Plant Biomass Conversion [WWW Document]. URL https://books.google.com/books?id=EHUq5W_ZEkMC&pgis=1. Accessed 28 April 2015

  • Janssen I, Koopmann R (2005) Determination of Kjeldahl Nitrogen in soil, biowaste and sewage sludge. CEN/BT/Task Force 151 – Horiz. Stand. held by Danish Stand

  • Joseph PJ (2007) Bioremediation of petroleum sludge through Phytoremediation, Land farming and Microbial enhanced oil separation. PhD thesis pp. 157, Cochin University of Science and Technology

  • Leys NM, Bastiaens L, Verstraete W, Springael D (2005) Influence of the carbon/nitrogen/phosphorus ratio on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation by Mycobacterium and Sphingomonas in soil. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 66:726–736. doi:10.1007/s00253-004-1766-4

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ling CC, Isa MH (2006) Bioremediation of oil sludge contaminated soil by co-composting with sewage sludge. J Sci Ind Res (India) 65:364–369

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell D, Maloney M, Swan L, Erwin P (2007) A Review of the Fruit and Vegetable Food Chain [WWW Document]. URL http://www.safefood.eu/Publications/Research-reports/Fruit-and-Vegetables.aspx. Accessed 29 October 2014

  • McKenzie L (2015) Metabolism: nitrogen - biochemistry | Fastbleep [WWW Document]. URL http://www.fastbleep.com/biology-notes/40/116/753. Accessed 28 April 2015

  • Mohan SV, Kisa T, Ohkuma T, Kanaly RA, Shimizu Y (2006) Bioremediation technologies for treatment of PAH-contaminated soil and strategies to enhance process efficiency. Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol 5:347–374. doi:10.1007/s11157-006-0004-1

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Namkoong W, Hwang EY, Park JS, Choi JY (2002) Bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil with composting. Environ Pollut 119:23–31. doi:10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00328-1

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nduka JK, Umeh LN, Okerulu IO, Umedum LN, Okoye HN (2012) Utilization of Different Microbes in Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soils Stimulated With Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers. J. Pet. Environ. Biotechnol. 03. doi:10.4172/2157-7463.1000116

  • OECD/OCDE 317 (2010) OECD Guidelines for the testing of chemicals. doi:10.1787/9789264090934-en

  • Okere UV, Semple KT (2012) Biodegradation of PAHs in “pristine” soils from different climatic regions. J Bioremediation Biodegrad 01:1–11. doi:10.4172/2155-6199.S1-006

    Google Scholar 

  • Pansu M, Gautheyrou J (2006) Handbook of soil analysis mineralogical, organic and inorganic methods. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Picado A, Nogueira A, Baeta-Hall L, Mendonça E, de Fátima Rodrigues M, do Céu Sàágua M, Martins A, Anselmo AM (2001) Landfarming in a PAH-contaminated soil. J Environ Sci Heal A36:1579–1588. doi:10.1081/ESE-100106243

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pu X, Cutright TJ (2006) Sorption–desorption behavior of PCP on soil organic matter and clay minerals. Chemosphere 64:972–983. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.01.017

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes AH, Hofman J, Semple KT (2008) Development of phenanthrene catabolism in natural and artificial soils. Environ Pollut 152:424–430. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2007.06.072

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sawada A, Kanai K, Fukushima M (2004) Preparation of artificially spiked soil with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for soil pollution analysis. Anal Sci 20:239–241. doi:10.2116/analsci.20.239

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayara T, Sarrà M, Sánchez A (2010) Effects of compost stability and contaminant concentration on the bioremediation of PAHs-contaminated soil through composting. J Hazard Mater 179:999–1006. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2010.03.104

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sayara T, Borràs E, Caminal G, Sarrà M, Sánchez A (2011) Bioremediation of PAHs-contaminated soil through composting: influence of bioaugmentation and biostimulation on contaminant biodegradation. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 65:859–865. doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2011.05.006

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thassitou PK, Arvanitoyannis IS (2001) Bioremediation: a novel approach to food waste management. Trends Food Sci Technol 12:185–196. doi:10.1016/S0924-2244(01)00081-4

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (1994) Chapter V Landfarming [WWW Document]. URL http://www.epa.gov/oust/pubs/tum_ch5.pdf . Accessed 22 January 2015

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2012a) Method 9045D soil and waste pH [WWW Document]. URL http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/testmethods/sw846/online/9_series.htm. Accessed 14 October 2014

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2012b) Method 3546 microwave extraction [WWW Document]. URL http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/testmethods/sw846/online/3_series.htm. Accessed 14 October 2014

  • U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (2012c) Method 8270D semivolatile organic compounds by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) [WWW Document]. URL http://www.epa.gov/osw/hazard/testmethods/sw846/online/8_series.htm. Accessed 14 October 2014

  • Van Gestel K, Mergaert J, Swings J, Coosemans J, Ryckeboer J (2003) Bioremediation of diesel oil-contaminated soil by composting with biowaste. Environ Pollut 125:361–368. doi:10.1016/S0269-7491(03)00109-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Soest PJ (1963) Use of detergents in the analysis of fibrous feeds II. A rapid method for the determination of fiber and lignin. J Assoc Official Agric Chem 46:829–835

    Google Scholar 

  • Wick FA, Haus WN, Sukkariyah FB, Haering CK, Daniels LW (2011) Remediation of PAH-contaminated soils and sediments: a literature review [WWW Document]. URL http://landrehab.org/ Accessed 12 November 2014

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the European Commission (Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate Programme ETeCoS3: Environmental Technologies for Contaminated Solids, Soils and Sediments, under the grant agreement FPA no. 2010–0009).

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125, Naples, Italy

    B. Lukić & M. Fabbricino

  2. Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Via di Biasio, 43, 03043, Cassino, FR, Italy

    B. Lukić & G. Esposito

  3. Université Paris-Est, Laboratoire Géomatériaux et Environnement (EA 4508), UPEM, 77454, Marne-la-Vallée, France

    D. Huguenot

  4. Telematic University Pegaso, Piazza Trieste e Trento 48, 80132, Naples, Italy

    A. Panico & E. D. van Hullebusch

Authors
  1. B. Lukić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. Huguenot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Panico
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Fabbricino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. E. D. van Hullebusch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. G. Esposito
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Huguenot.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lukić, B., Huguenot, D., Panico, A. et al. Importance of organic amendment characteristics on bioremediation of PAH-contaminated soil. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 15041–15052 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6635-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6635-z

Keywords

  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Bioremediation
  • Co-composting
  • Organic substrates
  • Spiked soil
  • Organic matter fractionation