Bioremediation of n-Hexadecane Contaminated Soils Using Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteria Isolated from Coastal Areas

Background and Soil pollution to hydrocarbons in oil field zones in southern Iran and areas close to oil and gas transportation pipe lines is a major environmental problem. The current study aimed at determining the efficiency of bioremediation of n-Hexadecane contaminated soil as a model contaminant.
Aged hydrocarbon contaminated soils were used as the origin of bacteria isolation. Isolation of n-Hexadecane degrading bacteria was carried out through enrichment in mineral salt medium and incubation in 31 oC in shaker incubator at 150 rpm by repetitive cultures during 6 consecutive refreshing. Finally, two pure strains were isolated and identified by PCR. Bioremediation of initial n-Hexadecane concentrations of 500, 1000 and 5000 mg/kg was investigated in eight weeks.
Two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains capable of n-Hexadecane biodegradation were isolated. The removal efficiencies at the end of day 56 for n-Hexadecane initial concentrations of 500, 1000 and 5000 mg/kg were 93.6%, 87.5%, and 69.62%, respectively.
Isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria demonstrated high n-Hexadecane biodegradation potential in soil and also biosurfactant production, therefore, they could be used for bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils.