Bioremediation of Oily Sludge Contaminated Site—A Pilot-Scale Study
Résumé
The present paper treats the bioremediation feasibility of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil from oily quagmire generated during drilling operation. The experience took place in the region of Hassi Messaoud, located in the southeast of Algeria. Through which, methods of natural attenuation, remediation-using poultry manure and bentonite were subject of evaluation and comparison. A homogenized oily sludge sample was inoculated with adequate amount of organic and mineral stimulant, in microcosm having dimensions of 1 m × 2 m × 1 m for length, breadth and depth respectively. During the treatment, variation of microbial growth was followed, where the highest microbial growth was obtained in the case of poultry manure (2.46 × 106 CFU/mL). The undertaken bioremediation process resulted in 85% removal of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) after 5 months of treatment compared to 14% removal of TPH in control plots. Evaluation of operating costs indicated that the treatment cost per m3 of pollutant would be approximately $20/m3.