Article | REF: GE1042 V1

Bioremediation techniques for hydrocarbons in coastal marine systems

Authors: Philippe CUNY, Cécile MILITON

Publication date: June 10, 2022

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ABSTRACT

Anthropogenic hydrocarbons are among the most abundant contaminants of coastal ecosystems. Several remediation strategies of hydrocarbon-contaminated areas involving microorganisms (bioremediation) can be successfully used to mitigate the contamination. The hydrocarbonoclastic activities of indigenous microorganisms can be stimulated (biostimulation) by the addition of nutritional supplements (fertilizers), (bio)surfactants, terminal electron acceptors (e.g., O2, NO3-) or by electrostimulation. Selected strains/mixed cultures can be also added in the contaminated environments (bioaugmentation). Sometimes, however, to best strategy is to let the natural mitigation processes run and to monitor the natural recovery without any human intervention.

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AUTHORS

  • Philippe CUNY: Aix-Marseille University, University of Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, France

  • Cécile MILITON: Aix-Marseille University, University of Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO, Marseille, France

 INTRODUCTION

Hydrocarbons are among the most abundant contaminants in coastal marine systems. Many coastal areas around the world are subject to chronic inputs of these compounds, sometimes on a massive scale (oil spills). Their dynamics in the environment are complex, involving numerous interacting abiotic and biotic processes. Among these, hydrocarbon biodegradation, carried out by microorganisms sometimes specialized in their use (known as "hydrocarbonoclasts"), enables their effective elimination under oxic and anoxic conditions, both in seawater and in sediments. It can be used in a wide range of physico-chemical conditions of temperature, pH and salinity. This makes it a process of choice for ecological engineering to clean up (bioremediate) marine ecosystems polluted by hydrocarbons. The various bioremediation strategies aim to stimulate (biostimulate) the natural catabolic capacities of the microbial community indigenous to the polluted coastal environment. Stimulation can be achieved by adding nutrients (fertilizers), (bio)surfactants, terminal electron acceptors (e.g. O 2 , or through electrochemical processes (electrostimulation). Another strategy may involve introducing into the polluted medium hydrocarbonoclast strains/mixed cultures chosen for their hydrocarbon-degrading capabilities (bioaugmentation) and which may have been isolated from the same medium. Several of these strategies can also be combined (e.g. combined addition of fertilizers and biosurfactants).

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Bioremediation techniques for hydrocarbons in coastal marine systems