Abstract
The research was focused on the slurry-phase biodegradation of naphthalene. The biodegradation process was optimised with preliminary experiments in slurry aerobic microcosms. From soil samples collected on a contaminated site, a Pseudomonas putida strain, called M8, capable to degrade naphthalene was selected. Microcosms were prepared with M8 strain by mixing non-contaminated soil and mineral M9 medium. Different experimental conditions were tested varying naphthalene concentration, soil:water ratio and inoculum density. The disappearance of hydrocarbon, the production of carbon dioxide, and the ratio of total heterotrophic and naphthalene-degrading bacteria were monitored at different incubation times. The kinetic equation that best fitted the disappearance of contaminant with time was determined. The results showed that the isolated strain enhanced the biodegradation rate with respect to the natural biodegradation.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alexander, M.: 1994, Biodegradation and Bioremediation, Academic Press, San Diego.
Alleman, B. C. and Leeson, A.: 1999, Bioreactor and Ex Situ Biological Treatment Technologies, Battelle Press, Columbus, Ohio.
Freeman, H. M. and Harris, E. F.: 1995, Hazardous Waste Remediation: Innovative Treatment Technologies, Technomic Publishing Company, Lancaster, U.S.A.
Hinchee, R. E. and Olfenbuttel, R. F.: 1991, On-site Bioreclamation: Processes for Xenobiotic and Hydrocarbon Treatment, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston.
King, R. B., Long, G. M. and Sheldon, J. K.: 1992, Practical Environmental Bioremediation, Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, U.S.A.
Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F. and Sambrook, J.: 1982, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor, New York.
Mihelcic, J. R., Lueking, D. R., Mitzell, R. J. and Stapleton, M.: 1993, 'Bioavailability of sorbedand separate-phase chemicals', Biodegradation 4, 141-153.
Mulder, H., Breure, A. M., van Andel, J. G., Grotenhuis, J. T. C. and Rulkens, W. H.: 1998, 'In-fluence of hydrodynamic conditions on naphthalene dissolution and subsequent biodegradation', Biotech. Bioeng. 57, 145-154.
Park, J. H., Zhao, X. D. and Voice, T. C.: 2001, 'Biodegradation of non-desorbable naphthalene in soils', Environ. Sci. Technol. 35, 2734-2740.
Thomas, J. M., Yordy, J. R., Amador, J. A. and Alexander, M.: 1986, 'Rates of dissolution and biodegradation of water-insoluble organic compounds', Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 52, 290-296.
U.S. EPA: 1999, Treatment Technologies for Site Cleanup: Annual Status Report, 9th ed., Report No. EPA 542-R-99-001.
Wodzinski, R. S. and Bertolini, D.: 1972, 'Physical state in which naphthalene and bibenzyl are utilized by bacteria', Appl. Microbiol. 23, 1077-1081.
Zar, J. H.: 1984, Biostatistical Analysis, 2nd ed., Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.
Zhang, W. X. and Bouwer, E. J.: 1997, 'Biodegradation of benzene, toluene and naphthalene in soil-water slurry microcosms', Biodegradation 8, 167-175.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bestetti, G., Collina, E., Di Gennaro, P. et al. Kinetic Study of Naphthalene Biodegradation in Aerobic Slurry Phase Microcosms for the Optimisation of the Process. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution: Focus 3, 223–231 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023917431586
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023917431586