Published in Scientific Papers. Series E. Land Reclamation, Earth Observation & Surveying, Environmental Engineering, Vol. XIII
Written by Cristian Mugurel IORGA, Puiu Lucian GEORGESCU, Mihaela Marilena STANCU
Important quantities of petroleum hydrocarbons are frequently spilled into the environment harming the environment, as well as human health. Furthermore, the interaction of petroleum hydrocarbons with the environment significantly disturbs the activity of the microorganisms, including bacteria that exist in petroleum hydrocarbons polluted environments. Using two different microbiological methods four groups of bacteria, such as heterotrophic, hydrocarbon-tolerant, hydrocarbon-degrading, as well as enterobacteria were detected in the analyzed samples collected from an old petroleum products storage. The detection of these bacteria, especially hydrocarbon-degrading, as well as hydrocarbon-tolerant bacteria was not unexpected since the concentration of the petroleum hydrocarbons in the analyzed samples was above the limit allowed by international environmental standards. Up to now, different treatment technologies have been developed to remove toxic hydrocarbons from environments contaminated with petroleum products. Therefore, because of the use of different remediation strategies, like bioremediations, the affected areas can be recovered and returned to their natural circuit.
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