Removal of petroleum hydrocarbon by using microbial mat

Abstract

Biodegradability of petroleum hydrocarbon was studied on the petroleum sludge from the industry (HPCL, Vishakhapatnam) by using microbial mat. Microbial mat is consisting of biological fiber like coconut fiber and jute fiber and it is immobilized by hydrocarbon degrading bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Adsorption study was performed on biological fiber by SEM, EDX and FTIR analysis. Biosurfactant screening was done on CTAB and Methylene Blue plate and it confirmed the production of Rhamnolipid. Optimum conditions like Temperature,pH and Nitrogen source for the degradation of the hydrocarbon was also studied by using Taguchi method.Total petroleum hydrocarbon of petroleum sludge degradation was studied for 4 weeks using microbial mat, and degradation of hydrocarbon was confirmed by GC-MS analysis and it shows predominant result under optimum growth conditions.