Biological-Chemical Treatment of Soils Contaminated with Exploration and Production Wastes

Abstract

Oil-gas exploration and production (E&P) soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) have been tested for degradation by two different treatments: biological and chemical. Biological treatment includes the use of native microorganisms for transformation of the various hydrocarbons found in E&P soils. Degradation of TPH of 80 and 86%, was achieved for two different soils, respectively in control experiments. The effect of growth stimulants such as glucose, acetic acid, and valeric acid was examined on TPH degradation. Incorporation of inducer (valerate) enhanced the degradation up to 89 and 93%, for the two soils, respectively. A large portion (> 41%) of contaminant in one soil was comprised of compounds in the carbon range of C₁₀-C₁₆ and < 7% constituted carbon range of C₂₄-C₂₈. The degradation of C₁₀-C₁₆ compounds was higher (> 98%) as compared to C₂₄-C₂₈ compounds (< 75%). Likewise, the degradation rate was also higher (58 mg/kg/d) for lower compounds as compared to higher carbon range compounds (6.7 mg/kg/d). Experiments conducted on chemical treatment included the effect of chelators on stabilization of H₂O₂, comparative studies between buffer and water (used for soil preparation), and the effect of pH on TPH degradation. The rate of oxygen evolution from H₂O₂ was significantly reduced with use of either chelated iron or phosphate buffer using naphthelene as a model compound. Chemical treatment demonstrated a higher degradation of TPH from contaminated soils at pH 4.0 as compared to a pH of 7.0. More degradation was obtained with slurry prepared in phosphate buffer as compared to deionized water.

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