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Bioremediation Methods for Oil Spills

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Bioremediation Methods for Oil Spills
Bioremediation Methods for Oil Spills

Contents

I. Introduction

II. History of Bioremediation 1. ‘Courtship’ Period (Pre-1989) 2. ‘Honeymoon’ Period (1989-1991) 3. ‘Establishment’ Period (since 1992)

III. The Biological and Chemical Processes of Bioremediation 1. Biodegradation a. Biological Process b. Degrading Species c. Chemical Process d. Need for Bioremediation 2. Bioremediation a. Seeding with Microbial Cultures b. Environmental Modification

IV. Recent Applications of Bioremediation Techniques and their Effectiveness 1. Amoco Cadiz 2. Exxon Valdez 3. Mega Borg 4. Apex Barges 5. Arabian Gulf War

V. Conclusion

Bibliography

Bioremediation Methods for Oil Spills

Abstract. The increasing number of marine oil spills asks for effective solutions for the environment. Bioremediation techniques have become a major mechanism for removing oil residues on the affected shorelines. Among the different techniques to enhance natural biodegradation by indigenous microorganisms, seeding of new bacteria and fertilizing the indigenous populations have attracted the most interest. The application of nutrients as nitrogen and phosphorus in the form of fertilizers have shown to be most effective in accelerating the biodegradation process and at the same time to be environmentally safe.

I. Introduction

Since the freighter Pallas caused the worst oil pollution of the tidel shallows in the North Sea last November, thousands of sea birds and probably numerous other species lost their lives in the polluted water. The responsible parties have not yet taken any measures to mitigate the damage, neither have they provided for the prevention of a similar catastrophe in the future. This is especially striking as the first devastating oil spill occurred no less than ten years ago, when the tanker Exxon Valdez ruptured in Prince William Sound. The number of oil tanker accidents is increasing with



Bibliography: Atlas, Ronald M. (1995). Petroleum Biodegradation and Oil Spill Bioremediation. Marine Pollution Bulletin 31, 178-182. Bragg, James R.; Prince, Roger C.; Harner, E. James; Atlas, Ronald M. (1994). Effectiveness of bioremediation for the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Nature 368, 413-418. Fayad, Nabil M.; Edora, Ruben L.; El-Mubarak, Aarif H.; Polancos Jr., Anastacio B. (1992). Effectiveness of a Bioremediation Product in Degrading the Oil Spilled in the 1991 Arabian Gulf War. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 49, 787-796. Frees, Christian-Peter (1992). Maßnahmen und rechtliche Möglichkeiten der Europäischen Gemeinschaft zur Bekämpfung und Verhütung von Öltankerunfällen vor ihren Küsten. Natur und Recht, 16-21. Hoff, Rebecca Z. (1993). Bioremediation: an overview of its development and use for oil spill cleanup. Marine Pollution Bulletin 29, 476-481. Irwin, Patricia (1996). To clean up environmental spill, know your medium. Electrical World 37-40. Krahn, Margaret M.; Stein, John E. (1998). Assessing Exposure of Marine Biota and Habitats to Petroleum Compounds. Analytical Chemistry News & Features 186-192. Pritchard, P.H.; Mueller, J.G.; Rogers, J.C. Kremer, F.V.; Glaser, J.A. (1992). Oil spill bioremediation: experiences, lessons and results from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. Biodegradation 3, 315-335. Radwan, S.S.; Sorkhoh, N.A.; El-Nemr, I.M.; El-Desouky, A.F. (1997). A feasibility study on seeding as a bioremediation practice for the oily Kuwaiti desert. Journal of Applied Microbiology 83, 353-358. Sugai, Susan F.; Lindstrom, Jon E.; Braddock, Joan F. (1997). Environmental Influences on the Microbial Degradation of Exxon Valdez Oil on the Shorelines of Prince William Sound, Alaska. Environ. Sci. Technol. 31, 1564-1572. Swannell, Richard P.J.; Lee, Kenneth; McDonagh, Madeleine (1996). Field Evaluations of Marine Oil Spill Bioremediation. Microbiological Reviews 60, 342-365. U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency (1990). Interim Report, Oil Spill Bioremediation Project. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Washington.

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