Biodegradability of diesel oil

Vast amounts of soil and water have been contaminated with oil and oily residues over the course of the past century. Researchers have only recently come to understand the benefits to be gained from microbiological treatment of contaminated sites and regions. A series of tests are described that were conducted to assess the biodegradability of diesel oil. Diesel oil samples in batch culture were degraded quite rapidly by a consortium of microorganisms. The maximum growth rate of this consortium is detailed. Tests were conducted in a continuous stirred tank reactor. After a one-day residence in the reactor, some 82% of the influent oil was degraded. For mixtures of linear and branched alkanes, the linear alkanes were degraded more rapidly.