The effect of chemical dispersant of the third generation (Finasol OSR 62) on the microbial biodegradation process of Zarzaitine oil in water treatment

Abstract

The application of chemical dispersants aims to stimulate microbial oil degradation by increasing the bioavailability of oil compounds. Overall, nine microcosms were prepared (three for each treatment) using treated sediment with (i) dispersant (d: 25 ppm), (ii) oil (500 ppm), and (iii) with oil + dispersant (500: 25 ppm), respectively. There are also three control microcosms containing only water and sediment without petroleum. Then, we analyzed bacterial abundance, total hydrocarbon, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in each microcosm. Bacterial response density was significantly affected after 40 days of exposure; it was higher in the control microcosm and d (> 24.103 cell/l) than in the other treatments. The index of total hydrocarbons was equal to 53 mg/kg dw in oil and 56 mg/kg dw in oil + dispersant. The higher BOD5 found in oil and in oil + d shows the increased amount of oxygen consumed, which indicates enhanced bacterial activity. Microcosms treated with dispersant had higher COD than the others, but the dispersant did not stimulate microbial hydrocarbon degradation.