Microbial assessment and bioremediation feasibility for petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The development of hydrocarbon-based subsurface energy contributes significantly to Canada's economy. However, the energy and mineral mining industries face the challenge of remediating environments impacted by intensified extractions of natural resources such as heavy oil, oil sands, shale gas, and coalbed methane. Hydrocarbon-impacted soils, processed oil sludge, and tailing wastes resulting from natural resource development are often disposed in above-ground landfarms, biopiles, or earthen disposal and waste treatment facilities. Remediation, management, and recycling/reuse of hydrocarbon-impacted soils and tailing wastes have received significant attention due to the environmental risks associated with hazardous byproducts and zero-discharge policies. Bioremediation refers to the use of pollutant-utilizing microorganisms to remove or detoxify contaminants from environmental matrices. In petroleum industries, bioremediation has often been considered a cost-effective, less destructive, and more feasible remediation technology for hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. In collaboration with Husky Oil Operations Limited, the present research aims to assess the feasibility of bioremediating petroleum hydrocarbon-impacted soils by stimulating hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria that naturally occur in the site soils. It also aims to provide cost-effective, highly efficient strategies for on-site bioremediation at the Husky Oil landfarm facilities. The proposed research will focus on developing new knowledge of how soil particle heterogeneity and on-site environmental stresses (seasonal cold temperatures and salinity) regulate the distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons and the selection and enhancement of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in the soils. Cutting-edge biotechnical microbial population analyses combined with geoenvironmental engineering knowledge will be employed in this new industry-driven research project. The anticipated outcomes of the research will contribute to protecting the environment during natural resource development and will inform provincial and federal contaminated site remediation practices.