Bioremediation in mangrove sediments impacted by oil using two types of fertilizers NPK and OSMOCOTE, Brazil

Abstract

Bioremediation is a technique applied to several environmental impacts, among which the ones generated by petroleum derivatives, through the introduction of microorganisms into the environment, or creating optimal conditions for them to develop. The present study aimed to evaluate the degradation of saturated hydrocarbons through the biostimulation technique in the mangrove sediment impacted by petroliferous activities, testing the potentiality of two fertilizers (NPK and OSMOCOTE) as accelerating agents of the biodegradation of petroleum components, under experimental condi- tions. In order to understand the bioremediation process it was used the quantification of nutrient contents, the percent of saturated, aromatic and NSO hydrocarbons, and the behavior of saturated compounds along the entire experiment, besides the monitoring of physical and chemical parameters. Chromatographic profiles characterized a major degrada- tion of saturated hydrocarbons at the units with NPK, presenting a better efficiency of this fertilizer in the tested bio- stimulation process.