Effects of different soil treatments on diesel fuel biodegradation

The effect of soil modification on diesel fuel removal from soil in field conditions was studied. The experiment was established in the form of microplots. Diesel fuel was introduced into the soil at the concentration of 5% (ww. - in count on layer 15 cm depth of plot 1x1 m size). Particular experimental variants were modified by means of fertilization, stirring and inoculation with microorganisms active in the process of biodegradation of petroleum-derived pollutions. Diesel fuel content of soil was determined with the method of ether extraction, i.e. by assaying the concentration of total hydrocarbons. The results obtained were elaborated statistically using analysis of variance. The research carried out demonstrated that the efficiency of diesel fuel biodegradation increased with respect to the modifications applied. The greatest changes of extractable hydrocarbons were observed after the introduction of select microorganisms into fertilized and stirred soil - to 89% biodegradation of diesel fuel.