Effects of temperature on the biodegradation of used lubrication oil contaminated water

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2015-11-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Biodegradation of hydrocarbon contaminants in water by mixed culture of hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms was investigated using a fixed bed bioreactor system. The study was performed with special emphasis on the effects of temperature on the biodegradation process. Microorganism capable of degrading hydrocarbons were isolated from oil – contaminated water and then cultured in a nutrient (mineral salt) medium. Temperature levels of 27oC, 37oC, 47oC and 57oC within the bioreactors were studied. At each temperature, sample concentration of 500 mg/L and 1000 mg/L were studied respectively for five days. Microbial population density, pH, conductivity dissolved oxygen (DO), and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) were monitored to ascertain the progress of biodegradation within the bioreactors. Maximum degradation rate of 98.29±0.0 % was obtained at temperature of 47oC at oil concentration of 1000 mg/L. Minimum degradation rate of 55.55±0.0 % was also achieved at the temperature of 57oC at oil concentration of 500 mg/L. The study revealed that degradation rates generally increased as oil concentration was increased. Degradation rates also increased as temperature was increased from 27oC to 47oC but reduced when increased to 57oC.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Environmental Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science, 2015
Keywords
Citation