长期灌溉含多环芳烃污水对稻田土壤酶活性与微生物种群数量的影响

以沈抚污水灌区为例,研究了长期灌溉含多环芳烃(PAHs)污水对稻田土壤酶活性、微生物种群数量的影响。结果表明,灌区稻田土壤PAHs含量在319.5～6362.8μg.kg-1。长期污水灌溉导致稻田土壤PAHs含量严重超过环境标准。随清水连续灌溉年限的增加,土壤PAHs总量不同程度降低直至低于土壤PAHs环境质量标准。相关性分析表明,在目前污染程度下,灌区稻田3大土壤微生物类群和主要功能群的种群数量主要受土壤理化性质的影响,受PAHs含量影响不明显。土壤全氮含量与细菌数量呈极显著正相关(P<0.01)。土壤酶活性受到土壤养分和PAHs污染的双重影响,土壤有机碳和全磷含量分别与脱氢酶、多酚氧化酶和脲酶活性呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),PAHs含量分别与脱氢酶和脲酶活性呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与多酚氧化酶活性呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。     

长期重金属胁迫对农田土壤微生物生物量、活性和种群的影响

调查了沈阳张士灌区长期污水灌溉造成的原位农田土壤重金属污染状况,从土壤微生物生物量、微生物活性和微生物种群数量的角度评价了长期重金属污染对农田土壤生态系统的影响.结果表明,张士灌区土壤存在严重的Cd污染,土壤Cd含量达1.75～3.89 mg·kg ^-1,部分区域还伴有Cu、Zn复合污染.在目前污染程度下,土壤微生物生物量碳(C_mic)、微生物商(qM)、土壤脱氢酶活性以及自生固氮菌数量随土壤重金属含量增加呈下降趋势,代谢商(qCO₂)随土壤重金属含量增加显著升高,而底物诱导呼吸强度(SIR)、纤维素酶活性以及细菌、放线菌和真菌数量无明显变化.相关性分析表明,土壤Cd含量变化是影响微生物参数变化的主要因素,在微生物参数中微生物商和代谢商对重金属污染最敏感.     

农村混合污水灌溉对土壤养分含量、酶活性及微生物多样性的影响

通过土柱模拟试验,研究了农村混合污水灌溉(WG)对农田土壤pH、养分含量、酶活性及微生物多样性等土壤肥力指标的影响.结果表明:与清水灌溉(CK)相比,经过WG处理,土壤全钾、全磷、速效钾和碱解氮含量增加(4.54%~46.84%),而土壤pH、有机质、全氮和速效磷含量降低(2.02%~32.61%),且土壤pH极显著降低(P<0.01),土壤速效钾含量显著增加(P<0.05);土壤过氧化氢酶和土壤酸性磷酸酶活性低于CK处理(P<0.01),而土壤脲酶和土壤转化酶活性显著高于CK处理(P<0.05);土壤中细菌和真菌的Shannon指数、Ace指数、Chao指数、Coverage指数等均有所提高,但降低了Simpson指数,改变了细菌和真菌在属水平上各优势物种的相对丰度.内梅罗综合指数法评价结果表明,农村混合污水灌溉提高了供试土壤的综合肥力水平.本研究为示范区农村混合污水灌溉模式的田间试验提供了重要依据.     

石油污染土壤中不同人工林木根际丛枝菌根真菌与球囊霉素的研究

以陕西延长县石油污染区常见的13种人工种植林木为材料,测定了各人工种植林木根际丛枝菌根(AM)真菌发育状况、污染土壤的理化性质、土壤酶活性和球囊霉素含量,探讨AM真菌在石油污染土壤生态修复中的作用。结果表明,13种林木均能形成AM,其定殖率平均为63.2%,孢子密度平均为1.93个.g-1干土,其中受污染程度最低的柠条AM真菌定殖率和孢子密度最高,分别为91.6%和4.73个.g-1干土;毛白杨、狼牙刺和刺槐的根际土壤养分(有机碳、碱解氮、速效磷)含量相对较高;各种人工种植林木的根际土壤球囊霉素含量、多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性随根际土壤石油烃污染浓度的增加而明显升高,其中刺槐、狼牙刺和酸枣根际土壤的过氧化氢酶和多酚氧化酶活性都较高,同时这3种林木的球囊霉素含量也较高。因此,林木根际土壤球囊霉素含量、多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性可以作为石油污染的敏感指标。     

黑心菊(Rudbeckia hirta)对陇东黄土高原油污土壤植物修复效应

为了揭示黑心菊(Rudbeckia hirta)对陇东黄土高原油污土壤的植物修复效应，在长庆油田公司实施为期5个月的场地修复试验，测定了不同浓度油污土壤胁迫时黑心菊土壤总石油烃(total petroleum hydrocarbons, TPH)去除率、生长指标、土壤理化性质和酶活性以及微生物群落结构的变化。结果显示：(1)3%、6%和8%油污土壤中黑心菊根区土壤TPH去除率分别为73.44%、81.28%和36.80%;(2)油污浓度≤6%土壤对黑心菊株高、根长、地下部干重、根活力和根冠比有明显促进作用，但当浓度≥8%时则产生了显著抑制作用(P<0.05);(3)与对照组(CK)相比，黑心菊在有效增加根区土壤碱解氮和速效磷含量以及土壤脱氢酶、多酚氧化酶、脲酶和碱性磷酸酶活性的同时显著减低了土壤pH(P<0.05);(4)微生物群落结构的LEfSe组间差异分析结果表明，Idiomarina属、嗜盐单胞菌属(Halomonas)、盐厌氧菌属(Halanaerobium)、Balneolaceae属和Fodinicurvataceae属、纤细单胞菌属(Cellulomonas)...     

高羊茅草对盐碱地原油污染土壤微生物的影响

采用常规土壤理化分析和Biolog-Eco微孔板鉴定系统,研究了松嫩平原盐碱土地区高羊茅草的生长对原油污染土壤pH、总盐含量和微生物群落的影响.结果表明:石油污染导致表征土壤微生物代谢活性的平均颜色变化率(AWCD)、物种多样性指数和碳源利用数增加,微生物碳源利用模式发生改变.高羊茅草对石油污染土壤有较好的修复作用,降低了土壤pH和石油烃(TPH)含量,提高了土壤含水率.高羊茅草根际土壤的AWCD和碳源利用丰富度指数明显高于裸地土壤,为其根际微生物的生长发育提供了适宜的环境.     

高羊茅草对盐碱地原油污染土壤微生物的影响

采用常规土壤理化分析和Biolog-Eco微孔板鉴定系统,研究了松嫩平原盐碱土地区高羊茅草的生长对原油污染土壤pH、总盐含量和微生物群落的影响.结果表明: 石油污染导致表征土壤微生物代谢活性的平均颜色变化率(AWCD)、物种多样性指数和碳源利用数增加, 微生物碳源利用模式发生改变.高羊茅草对石油污染土壤有较好的修复作用,降低了土壤pH和石油烃(TPH)含量,提高了土壤含水率.高羊茅草根际土壤的AWCD和碳源利用丰富度指数明显高于裸地土壤,为其根际微生物的生长发育提供了适宜的环境.     

石油污染盐碱土壤棉花根际微生物与石油烃降解关系

【目的】探讨棉花(Gossypium spp.)生长对石油烃(TPH)污染盐碱土壤微生物群落结构的影响,揭示根际微生物与TPH降解的相关关系。【方法】利用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)方法解析根际土壤活性微生物群落随棉花生长的动态变化特征。【结果】根际土壤先后出现了21种PLFAs,包括：饱和脂肪酸(SAT),标识除放线菌之外的细菌;甲基支链末端型饱和脂肪酸(TBSAT),标识除放线菌之外的革兰氏阳性(G+)细菌;标识真菌的多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA);标识放线菌的甲基支链中间型饱和脂肪酸(MBSAT);标识革兰氏阴性(G?)细菌的单不饱和脂肪酸(MONO)和环丙基脂肪酸(CYCLO)。棉花根际与未栽种棉花的对照(CK)相比,根际土壤微生物PLFAs种类在苗期、蕾期、吐絮期分别增加了100%、83.3%、20.0%,生物量分别增加了53.9%、6.60倍和60.7%;土壤TPH降解率分别提高13.0%、28.0%和30.6%。相关性分析表明：根际土壤TPH降解与根际土壤微生物总生物量具有低度正相关关系(|r|=0.5),但与a14:0、a16:0、i15:0标记的G+细菌生物量高度正相关(|r|≥0.8)。【结论】棉花生长对石油污染盐碱土壤活性微生物群落结构具有显著(p<0.05)的影响,且加速了土壤TPH的降解。该结果将为今后更好地开展石油污染盐碱土壤的生物修复技术研究提供理论依据。     

接种AM真菌对PAEs污染土壤中微生物和酶活性的影响

土壤灭菌条件下 ,添加 5 0mg·kg-1DEHP和 5 0mg·kg-1DBP ,在温室进行盆栽试验 ,观察土壤施加DEHP与DBP和接种AM真菌 (Acaulosporalavis,光壁无梗球囊霉 ,菌号 :34)后菌根际 (简称A)、菌丝际 (简称B)和常规土 (简称C)中土壤微生物和部分土壤酶活性的变化。结果表明 ,土壤施加DEHP和DBP后 ,A、B和C层土中土壤微生物数量和土壤酶含量下降 ;接种AM真菌后 ,受AM直接影响的A和B层土中细菌、放线菌和真菌数量比不接种低 ,而C层土中三菌数量比不接种高 ;A和B层土中中性磷酸酶和脲酶含量下降 ,脱氢酶含量在A、C层土中下降 ,在B层土中稍有增加 ,AM对土壤脱氢酶活性影响不大。接种AM真菌没有降低DEHP和DBP对土壤微生物生长和土壤酶活性不利影响的程度     

草本凋落物与尿素联合修复对油污土壤生物化学性质的影响

为研究植物残体配合施氮对石油污染土壤生物学和化学性质的综合修复能力,以紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)、铁杆蒿(Artemisia gmelinii)和小冠花(Coronilla varia)3种广泛分布于陕北石油污染区的草本植物凋落物为对象,分别在配合施氮调节土壤C∶N为25∶1和不配合施氮的条件下,将其与45.37 g/kg的重度石油污染土壤混合,在20—25℃、恒湿条件下进行为期180 d的室内修复试验,检测上述处理对油污土壤微生物数量、11种土壤水解酶和氧化还原酶活性以及速效N、P和K含量的影响。结果表明:(1)3种凋落物处理均可显著提高污染土壤中放线菌和真菌数量,蔗糖酶、淀粉酶、纤维素酶、木聚糖酶、脲酶、蛋白酶、磷酸酶、多酚氧化酶、过氧化氢酶和过氧化物酶活性以及速效养分含量,并显著降低土壤总石油烃含量。(2)配合施氮总体上显著强化了凋落物对污染土壤生化性质的修复作用,但对凋落物处理下木聚糖酶、脲酶、蛋白酶和脱氢酶活性和微生物数量的恢复可能产生不利影响。(3)单纯使用凋落物作为调理剂可以更为全面的修复油污土壤受损生化性质,具有高N和P含量、较低C/N、C/P比以及较低多酚和木质素含量的凋落物修复效果更好。在急需迅速修复土壤的条件下,配合适量施氮可作为强化凋落物修复效果的可选途径,但应注意其导致的部分土壤生化指标修复效果的降低。     

Characterization of hydrocarbon-degrading microbial populations in contaminated and pristine Alpine soils

Biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in cold environments, including Alpine soils, is a result of indigenous cold-adapted microorganisms able to degrade these contaminants. In the present study, the prevalence of seven genotypes involved in the degradation of n-alkanes (Pseudomonas putida GPo1 alkB; Acinetobacter spp. alkM; Rhodococcus spp. alkB1, and Rhodococcus spp. alkB2), aromatic hydrocarbons (P. putida xylE), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (P. putida ndoB and Mycobacterium sp. strain PYR-1 nidA) was determined in 12 oil-contaminated (428 to 30,644 mg of total petroleum hydrocarbons [TPH]/kg of soil) and 8 pristine Alpine soils from Tyrol (Austria) by PCR hybridization analyses of total soil community DNA, using oligonucleotide primers and DNA probes specific for each genotype. The soils investigated were also analyzed for various physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters, and statistical correlations between all parameters were determined. Genotypes containing genes from gram-negative bacteria (P. putida alkB, xylE, and ndoB and Acinetobacter alkM) were detected to a significantly higher percentage in the contaminated (50 to 75%) than in the pristine (0 to 12.5%) soils, indicating that these organisms had been enriched in soils following contamination. There was a highly significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) between the level of contamination and the number of genotypes containing genes from P. putida and Acinetobacter sp. but no significant correlation between the TPH content and the number of genotypes containing genes from gram-positive bacteria (Rhodococcus alkB1 and alkB2 and Mycobacterium nidA). These genotypes were detected at a high frequency in both contaminated (41.7 to 75%) and pristine (37.5 to 50%) soils, indicating that they are already present in substantial numbers before a contamination event. No correlation was found between the prevalence of hydrocarbon-degradative genotypes and biological activities (respiration, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, lipase activity) or numbers of culturable hydrocarbon-degrading soil microorganisms; there also was no correlation between the numbers of hydrocarbon degraders and the contamination level. The measured biological activities showed significant positive correlation with each other, with the organic matter content, and partially with the TPH content and a significant negative correlation with the soil dry-mass content (P < 0.05 to 0.001).     

中国东北样带土壤氮的分布特征及其对气候变化的响应

根据2001年中国东北样带土壤全氮和有效氮的实测数据,结合CO₂浓度倍增与不同土壤湿度的模拟试验数据,对土壤全氮和有效氮的梯度分布、影响因子分析及其对气候变化的响应进行研究.结果表明,样带土壤表层全氮和有效氮的梯度分布与土壤有机碳的分布基本一致:沿经度呈现东高西低的趋势,局部由于土壤退化而出现低谷.土壤全氮的剖面分布和土壤有机碳相似,而土壤有效氮则有所不同.样带土壤全氮和有效氮与土壤pH、有机碳、全磷、全硫、全锌、土壤活性碳、有效磷、有效钾、有效锰、有效锌、土壤容重、田间持水量、土壤总孔度等因子均呈显著或极显著的相关关系.样带土壤全氮和有效氮与降雨量之间呈极显著的正相关关系(r=0.682,P＜0.001和0.688,P＜0.001).短期培养试验中,CO₂浓度倍增和不同土壤湿度下土壤全氮和有效氮的变异较小(变异系数分别是5.55%和3.84%),但可反映一定的变化趋势.     

Phytoremediation Effect and Growth Responses of Cynodon spp. and Agropyron desertorum in a Petroleum-Contaminated Soil

In order to compare the petroleum tolerance and phytoremediation ability of a native grass, Agropyron desertorum (desert Wheatgrass) with Cynodon spp. (Bermuda grass) in a petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, a 7-month greenhouse experiment was performed. There were 4 soil treatments with 0% (uncontaminated soil), 2%, 4%, and 12% (w_oil/w_soil) petroleum concentration. Parameters including shoot and root fresh weight and dry weight, root penetration depth and root density depth, soil respiration, and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) degradation were measured during and after experiments. The results showed an increase in shoot fresh weight of A. desertorum in soil polluted with 2% petroleum sludge compared to the uncontaminated soil, whereas the growth of Bermuda grass significantly decreased in corresponding treatment. Root growth of A. desertorum was decreased in 2% and 4% petroleum sludge, whereas it was increased in Bermuda grass species. Overall, root fresh weight of Bermuda grass was higher than that of A. desertorum in all treatments. Significant increase in microorganisms' activity was observed in the presence of petroleum sludge and plants in soil compared with uncontaminated soil without plants, and the highest soil respiration (37.6 mg C-CO₂/kg soil day) has been observed in the rhizosphere of Bermuda grass in treatment with 12% petroleum sludge. Plants had a significant role in the degradation of soil contaminants as TPH degradation in planted soils was significantly higher than that in unplanted soil (TPH degradation (%) was 30.4 and 38.9 in A. desertorum and Bermuda grass, respectively, whereas it was just 13.3 in unplanted soil). The rhizosphere of Bermuda grass had significantly less residual TPHs compared to A. desertorum. The results indicated that both Cynodon spp. and A. desertorum had a peculiar tolerance to petroleum pollution. Therefore, as Bermuda grass has already been suggested to be a typical and efficient species for phytoremediating petroleum-contaminated sites, A. desertorum may also prove to be a suitable native alternative.     

Phytoremediation of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons From Highly Saline and Clay Soil Using Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. and Aeluropus littoralis (Guna) Parl

This study evaluated the effects of native plants (Sorghum halepense and Aeluropus littoralis), total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) concentrations, and nutrients on the removal of TPHs from a highly saline clay soil. For a period of 180 days, rhizosphere microbial number, plant biomass, and residual TPHs were determined monthly. Results showed that TPH removal from soil in the rhizosphere was 13% higher than that in the control (unplanted soil). In addition, the number of heterotrophic bacteria in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil was 7.407 and 6.629 log₁₀CFU/g, respectively. The maximum TPH removal, microbial numbers, and plant biomass were measured in the treated soil, polluted with 0.86% (w/w) of TPH. The high clay and salinity of the experimental soil had a negative effect on the phytoremediation efficiency. Hence, it was necessary to improve the physicochemical properties of the soil to provide a good condition for plants and microbes, thereby increasing the phytoremediation efficiency.     

Microbial Activity and Community Composition during Bioremediation of Diesel-Oil-Contaminated Soil: Effects of Hydrocarbon Concentration,Fertilizers, and Incubation Time

We investigated the influence of three factors—diesel oil concentration [2500, 5000, 10,000, 20,000 mg total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) kg⁻¹ soil], biostimulation (unfertilized, inorganic fertilization with NPK nutrients, or oleophilic fertilization with Inipol EAP22), and incubation time—on hydrocarbon removal, enzyme activity (lipase), and microbial community structure [phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA)] in a laboratory soil bioremediation treatment. Fertilization enhanced TPH removal and lipase activity significantly (P ≤ 0.001). The higher the initial contamination, the more marked was the effect of fertilization. Differences between the two fertilizers were not significant (P > 0.05). Microbial communities, as assessed by PLFA patterns, were primarily influenced by the TPH content, followed by fertilization, and the interaction of these two factors, whereas incubation time was of minor importance. This was demonstrated by three-factorial analysis of variance and multidimensional scaling analysis. Low TPH content had no significant effect on soil microbial community, independent of the treatment. High TPH content generally resulted in increased PLFA concentrations, whereby a significant increase in microbial biomass with time was only observed with inorganic fertilization, whereas oleophilic fertilization (Inipol EAP22) tended to inhibit microbial activity and to reduce PLFA contents with time. Among bacteria, PLFA indicative of the Gram-negative population were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in soil samples containing high amounts of diesel oil and fertilized with NPK after 21–38 days of incubation at 20°C. The Gram-positive population was not significantly influenced by TPH content or biostimulation treatment.     

Characterization of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Microbial Populations in Contaminated and Pristine Alpine Soils

Biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in cold environments, including Alpine soils, is a result of indigenous cold-adapted microorganisms able to degrade these contaminants. In the present study, the prevalence of seven genotypes involved in the degradation of n-alkanes (Pseudomonas putida GPo1 alkB; Acinetobacter spp. alkM; Rhodococcus spp. alkB1, and Rhodococcus spp. alkB2), aromatic hydrocarbons (P. putida xylE), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (P. putida ndoB and Mycobacterium sp. strain PYR-1 nidA) was determined in 12 oil-contaminated (428 to 30,644 mg of total petroleum hydrocarbons [TPH]/kg of soil) and 8 pristine Alpine soils from Tyrol (Austria) by PCR hybridization analyses of total soil community DNA, using oligonucleotide primers and DNA probes specific for each genotype. The soils investigated were also analyzed for various physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters, and statistical correlations between all parameters were determined. Genotypes containing genes from gram-negative bacteria (P. putida alkB, xylE, and ndoB and Acinetobacter alkM) were detected to a significantly higher percentage in the contaminated (50 to 75%) than in the pristine (0 to 12.5%) soils, indicating that these organisms had been enriched in soils following contamination. There was a highly significant positive correlation (P < 0.001) between the level of contamination and the number of genotypes containing genes from P. putida and Acinetobacter sp. but no significant correlation between the TPH content and the number of genotypes containing genes from gram-positive bacteria (Rhodococcus alkB1 and alkB2 and Mycobacterium nidA). These genotypes were detected at a high frequency in both contaminated (41.7 to 75%) and pristine (37.5 to 50%) soils, indicating that they are already present in substantial numbers before a contamination event. No correlation was found between the prevalence of hydrocarbon-degradative genotypes and biological activities (respiration, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, lipase activity) or numbers of culturable hydrocarbon-degrading soil microorganisms; there also was no correlation between the numbers of hydrocarbon degraders and the contamination level. The measured biological activities showed significant positive correlation with each other, with the organic matter content, and partially with the TPH content and a significant negative correlation with the soil dry-mass content (P < 0.05 to 0.001).     

Relationships between root growth of Zinnia hybrid “profusion orange” flowers and phytoremediation of oil-contaminated soil

Relationships exist between plant root growth and the phytoremediation of oil-contaminated soils. In a previous study, we demonstrated that zinnia flowers are well suited for the remediation of oil-contaminated soil. In this study, our goal was to quantify the relationship between zinnia root growth and purification of oil-contaminated soils. Three treatments were used: (1) cultivation of zinnia in oil-contaminated soil (contaminated pots), (2) cultivation in non-contaminated soil (non-contaminated pots), and (3) contaminated soil with no cultivation and only irrigation (irrigated pots). Growth of the Zinnia plants, including their roots, was significantly reduced in the contaminated pots compared with the noncontaminated pots. The soil dehydrogenase activity increased between 45 and 90?days after planting in all parts of the contaminated pots, especially the upper parts. The soil total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations in the contaminated pots decreased throughout the study period. Interestingly, the soil dehydrogenase activity increased, and the soil TPH concentration decreased even in lower parts of the pots where there was very little root growth. Therefore, the cultivation of plants can have a remediative effect on oil-contaminated soil even below the depth reached by the plant roots.     

Comparative bioremediation of soils contaminated with diesel oil by natural attenuation, biostimulation and bioaugmentation

Bioremediation of diesel oil in soil can occur by natural attenuation, or treated by biostimulation or bioaugmentation. In this study we evaluated all three technologies on the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in soil. In addition, the number of diesel-degrading microorganisms present and microbial activity as indexed by the dehydrogenase assay were monitored. Soils contaminated with diesel oil in the field were collected from Long Beach, California, USA and Hong Kong, China. After 12 weeks of incubation, all three treatments showed differing effects on the degradation of light (C12-C23) and heavy (C23-C40) fractions of TPH in the soil samples. Bioaugmentation of the Long Beach soil showed the greatest degradation in the light (72.7%) and heavy (75.2%) fractions of TPH. Natural attenuation was more effective than biostimulation (addition of nutrients), most notably in the Hong Kong soil. The greatest microbial activity (dehydrogenase activity) was observed with bioaugmentation of the Long Beach soil (3.3-fold) and upon natural attenuation of the Hong Kong sample (4.0-fold). The number of diesel-degrading microorganisms and heterotrophic population was not influenced by the bioremediation treatments. Soil properties and the indigenous soil microbial population affect the degree of biodegradation; hence detailed site specific characterization studies are needed prior to deciding on the proper bioremediation method.     

Field Note: Phytoremediation of Petroleum Sludge Contaminated Field Using Sedge Species,Cyperus Rotundus (Linn.) and Cyperus Brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk

The aim of this study was to degrade total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in a petroleum sludge contaminated site (initial TPH concentration of 65,000–75,000 mg.kg^–1) with two native sedge species namely Cyperus rotundus (Linn.) and Cyperus brevifolius (Rottb.) Hassk. Fertilized and unfertilized treatments were maintained separately to record the influence of fertilizer in TPH degradation. The average biomass production (twenty plants from each treatment) of C. rotundus was 345.5 g and that of C. brevifolius was 250.6 g in fertilized soil during 360 days. Decrease in soil TPH concentration was higher in fertilized soil (75% for C. rotundus and 64% for C. brevifolius) than in unfertilized soil (36% for C. rotundus and 32% for C. brevifolius). In unvegetated treatments, decrease in soil TPH concentration in fertilized (12%) and unfertilized soil (8%) can be attributed to natural attenuation and microbial degradation. TPH accumulation in roots and shoots was significantly higher in fertilized soil in comparison to unfertilized soils (p < 0.05). Most probable number (MPN) in planted treatments was significantly higher than in unplanted treatments (p < 0.05).     

Assessment of hydrocarbon degradation potentials in a plant–microbe interaction system with oil sludge contamination: A sustainable solution

A pot culture experiment was conducted for 90 days for the evaluation of oil and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation in vegetated and non-vegetated treatments of real-field oil-sludge-contaminated soil. Five different treatments include (T1) control, 2% oil-sludge-contaminated soil; (T2), augmentation of microbial consortium; (T3), Vertiveria zizanioides; (T4), bio-augmentation along with V. zizanioides; and (T5), bio-augmentation with V. zizanioides and bulking agent. During the study, oil reduction, TPH, and degradation of its fractions were determined. Physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of soil were also monitored simultaneously. At the end of the experimental period, oil content (85%) was reduced maximally in bio-augmented rhizospheric treatments (T4 and T5) as compared to control (27%). TPH reduction was observed to be 88 and 89% in bio-augmented rhizospheric soil (T4 and T5 treatments), whereas in non-rhizospheric and control (T2 and T1), TPH reduction was 78 and 37%, respectively. Degradation of aromatic fraction after 90 days in bio-augmented rhizosphere of treatments T4 and T5 was found to 91 and 92%, respectively. In microbial (T2) and Vertiveria treatments (T3), degradation of aromatic fraction was 83 and 68%, respectively. A threefold increase in soil dehydrogenase activity and noticeable changes in organic carbon content and water-holding capacity were also observed which indicated maximum degradation of oil and its fractions in combined treatment of plants and microbes. It is concluded that the plant–microbe soil system helps to restore soil quality and can be used as an effective tool for the remediation of oil-sludge-contaminated sites.