Unveiling the capacity of bioaugmentation application, in comparison with biochar and rhamnolipid for TPHs degradation in aged hydrocarbons polluted soil

• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118880
• Publication Date: 2024-04-04T15:25:04Z
• Authors: Sandra Curiel-Alegre; Dalia de la Fuent...; Aqib Hassan Ali Khan; Javier García-Tojal; Blanca Velasco-Ar...; Carlos Rumbo; Gerhard Soja; Carlos Rad; Rocío Barros
• Keywords: Bioaugmentation; Rhamnolipid; Degradation

Persistent, aged hydrocarbons in soil hinder remediation, posing a significant environmental threat. While bioremediation offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach, its efficacy for complex contaminants relies on enhancing pollutant bioavailability. This study explores the potential of immobilized bacterial consortia combined with biochar rhamnolipids to accelerate total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH)-contaminated soil. Previous research indicates that biosurfactants can increase rates, while mixed offer sequential degradation higher mineralization. The present investigation aimed assess whether combining these strategies could further enhance aged, matrices. bioaugmentation (BA) consortium increased TPHs (over 20% compared natural attenuation - NA). However, co-application BA rhamnolipid did not show statistically prominent synergistic effect. application facilitated maintenance degrading soil, identify direct influence degradation. contaminated contributed adsorption. Rhamnolipid alone slightly biodegradation NA, treatment between 27.5-29.8%. These findings encourage exploration amendment, like rhamnolipid, remediating diverse matrices hydrocarbons.