Bioremediation and phytoremediation of a soil impacted by 85,000 ppm of automotive waste oil

Abstract

Soil polluted by 85,000 ppm of waste residual oil (WRO) is a mix of aliphatic, aromatic hydrocarbons, and some trace of heavy metals is causing soil`s lost fertility and inhibits microbial heterotrophic aerobic activity related to organic matter mineralization. This WRO’concentration is high according to Mexican environmental regulation known as a NOM-138-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2003 (NOM-138), which establishes as a maximum permissible limit of 4,400 ppm. An alternative to solve this environmental problem are bioestimulation (BIS) and phytoremediation (PHYTO). The objectives of this research were: a) BIS of soil impacted by 85,000 ppm of WRO; b) PHYTO by Phaseolus vulgaris potencies with M. echinospora and / or S. griseus to reduce WRO at lower value than highest accepted by the NOM-138. In that sense BIS was measured at initial and final concentration of WRO; at PHYTO were regarded phenology: plant height and root length, as well as biomass aerial and root fresh and dry weight. Experimental data were analyzed by ANOVA / Tukey HSDP <0.05% with the Statgraphics Centurion statistical program. Results indicated that BIS of soil impact by 85,000 ppm of WRO until 29,000 ppm in 150 days, then PYHTO by P. vulgaris with M. echinospora and S. griseus decreased from 29,000 ppm until 1,492 ppm in 180 days. It´s concluded that BIS and PHYTO of soil impacted by relative high concentration of WRO were adecuated NOM-138.