Potential for enhancement of biodegradation of crude oil in Louisiana salt marshes using nutrient amendments

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1999

Abstract

Salt marsh ecosystems in Louisiana are at high risk of an oil contamination event while remediation of these systems is mainly limited to intrinsic bioremediation due to the physical sensitivity of salt marshes. This study investigated both the intrinsic and nutrient enhanced rates of crude oil degradation both in microcosm and core studies. In addition, limiting elements, loading rates and optimum nitrogen forms (NH4/+ or NO3/-) were determined. Salt marshes have relatively low intrinsic degradation rates (0-3.9% day-1) of the alkane component (C11-C44) but high rates (8-16% day-1) of degradation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fraction (naphthalene, C1, and C2-Naphthalene and Phenanthrene, C1, and C2-Phenanthrene). Additions of nitrogen statistically enhanced degradation of many alkanes and total PAHs while naturally present phosphorous was found to be sufficient. Nitrogen was found to be most effective if applied as NH4/+ in the range of 100-500-N mg kg-1 of soil producing a pore water range of 100-670-N mg L-1. Core studies indicate that similar trends are observed when applying fertilizers to intact portions of salt marsh.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution

First Page

343

Last Page

355

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS