Bioremediation: Its Monitoring and Progress in an Industrial Environment in Trinidad, West Indies
Authors: Chadeesingh D.R. , Persad A.B. 
Published: December 2007

Bioremediation: Its Monitoring and Progress in an Industrial Environment in Trinidad, West Indies.

The scope and nature of the work involved the bioremediation of petroleum contaminated soil in collaboration with the analytical support of an on site laboratory.

Bioremediation is the process by which micro-organisms break down hydrocarbons into simpler innocuous compounds. To optimize and monitor the bioremediation, an onsite process laboratory was set up.

In order to optimize bioremediation the following parameters were given careful consideration:Quantity and concentration of the contaminants in the soil.Nutrient requirementsMoisture contentAerationAcidity or alkalinityTemperature.

Once these conditions were established it was necessary to monitor the process of the oil and grease degradation while maintaining the optimal conditions for microbial activity. A biotreatment study area was constructed in order to test the workability of the parameters required for bioremediation. The pre-tested contaminated soil along with fertilizer and other substances were added and mixed together thoroughly. Samples were taken immediately and analysed. Subsequently, samples were taken every two weeks from the study area and tested. Additional treatment was administered when necessary.

Bioremediation once correctly managed, is an inexpensive process and is a useful tool in the degradation of harmful petroleum products in a relatively short space of time. In the biotreatment study area, bioremediation was successfully achieved in a period of six to eight weeks.

Introduction

Potentially hazardous wastes originate both from industrial as well as municipal sources. By far the main offenders however fall in the industrial category. Global sensitivity on environmental issues over the past decade has been established and growing in momentum. Agencies such as UNESCO, United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Bank are continuing their drive to sensitize both developed and developing countries on environmental matters. In fact, the World Bank currently requires Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for projects they believe can have adverse effects on the environment. Of regional importance is the fact that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is particularly concerned with the setting of common environmental standards and controls. In this context, developing countries like Trinidad and Tobago must place heavy focus on such issues. To this end, an Environmental Management Authority (EMA) has been established.

Amongst various concerns of the EMA is the strengthening of environmental monitoring and enforcement by developing standards and implementing legislation, Industrial activity must now conform to certain guidelines. As a result, various clean-up activities in industrial environments have been initiated. Of tremendous concern, is which waste treatment or disposal options can be taken. Various remedial technologies are available and include: volatilization, vitrification, thermal treatment, solidification and land treatment, amongst others.

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