Microbiology -Biodegradation Of Hydrocarbons

This topic about related to environmental

1. SUBMITTEDBY:
M.Gomathi,
II –M.sc., Microbiology,
VIAAS, Sankagiri.
VIVEKANANDHA ARTS AND SCIENCE COLLEGE FOR
WOMEN, SANKAGIRI.
DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY
SUBJECT : SOIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
TOPIC: BIODEGRADATION OF HYDROCARBON
SUBJECT INCHARGE:
Dr.R.Dineshkumar,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Microbiology,
VIAAS, Sankagiri.

2. CONTENT
Introduction
Microbial Activity
Environmental Factors
Types of Hydrocarbons
Bioremediation Techniques
Application
Challenges
Research and Innovation

3. INTRODUCTION:
Hydrocarbon degradation under anaerobic conditions is often slower
compared to aerobic degradation, due to less favorable reaction
energetics with alternate electron acceptors.
Despite this limitation, both facultative and obligately anaerobic
bacteria and archaea are known to degrade hydrocarbons without
oxygen.
A hydrocarbon isany of a class of organic chemicals made up of only
the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H). The carbon atoms join
together to form the framework of the compound, and the hydrogen
atoms attach to them in many different configurations.

4. MICROBIAL ACTIVITY:
Bacteria fungi, and other microorganism are capable of metabolizing
hydrocarbon. They produce enzymes thet facilities the breakdown of
complex hydrocarbon into simpler compounds ,such as carbon dioxide
and water.
Microbial activity can be offungal, aerobic, or anaerobic type. The
first two need oxygen and cause complete plant decay. If the plant is
submerged in water, anaerobic activity dominates. Decomposition of
plant material by microbes can be classified as shown in Table I.
Microbial activity can be evaluated according to the rate or amount of
oxygen uptake/consumption or carbon dioxide production.

5. Different testing conditions and data reporting formats lead to a series
of indices. For aerobic respiration, there are static respiration indices
without aeration, including Respiration Activity (RA) or
Atmungsaktivität (AT), Oxygen Uptake Rate (OUR) or Specific
Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR).
he level of activity of microbes and the species of microbes to which
they are exposed have a significant impact on the pace and amount of
biodegradation of plastics.
It is challenging to repeat biodegradation experiments because the
species of bacteria present could differ substantially depending on
conditions like pH, moisture level, temperature, oxygen level, and the
availability of nutrients.

7. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
Biodegradation rates are influenced by various environments factors,
including temperature,pH,oxygen levels,nutrient availability,and the
presence of the pollutants. Optimal conditions for biodegradation vary
depending on the specific hydrocarbon compunds and microbial
communities ivolved.
Environmental factors includesoil, climate, water, natural vegetation,
and landforms. Everything that has an impact on the environment is
referred to as an environmental factor.
Any element that has the potential to modify an existing environment
is referred to as an environmental factor. This includes both human
causes such as non-biodegradable garbage and natural forces .

8. One thing about the environment that is always true is that it is always
changing. Some of these changes are evident, such as an avalanche
that occurs on the slope of a mountain as a result of traffic building,
while others, like sand finally becoming sandstone, are less so.
Water is one of nature’s most powerful forces. Rivers have carved out
massive landforms like the Grand Canyon through time, and waves
fromocean have eroded cliff faces.
leaving behind beaches of shells and smaller boulders. Cliffs break
into boulders as water freezes in crevices, and boulders shatter into
smaller stones.

10. TYPES OF HYDROCARBONS:
Biodegradation can target a wide range of hydrocarbons, including
petroleum hydrocarbons found in crude oil, gasoline,diesel, and other
fossil fuels, as well as synthetic hydrocarbons used in industrial
processes and consumer products.
Total Hydrocarbon Content representsthe percentage of polymer or
polymers in the formulation. It is determined by subtracting the non-
polymer constituents from 100%.
includecoal, insulating oils, tar, gasoline or diesel fuel, hydraulic
fluids, motor oils, lubricants, fats, oils, and grease, or come from the
result of burning wood, garbage, and other products.

11. Hydrocarbons are a class of chemicals that contain onlyhydrogen and
carbon atoms. Some have hydrogen with rings of carbon atoms, called
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs. Hydrocarbons with
additives, such as gasoline, also are included.
A hydrocarbon isan organic compound consisting of hydrogen and
carbon found in crude oil, natural gas, and coal. Hydrocarbons are
highly combustible and the main energy source of the world.
Aliphatic hydrocarbons are divided into three main groups according
to the tAlkanes have only single bonds, alkenes contain a carbon-
carbon double bond, and alkynes contain a carbon-carbon triple
bond.ypes of bonds they contain:alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes.

13. BIOREMEDIATION TECHNIQUES :
Biodegradation forms the basis of bioremediation techniquies used to clean
up hydrocarbon-contaminated environments, such as soil, water, and air,
Bioremediation strategies includes in situ techniquies, Where contaminated
materials are treated in controlled environments.
Bioremediation is a process that uses biological organisms to remove or re-
treat an environmental pollutant through metabolic processes and plants to
eradicate hazardous pollutants and restore the ecosystem to its original
condition.
“Bioremediation isa waste management technique that includes the use of
living organisms to eradicate or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated
site.”

14. “Bioremediation is a 'treatment techniques' that uses naturally occurring
organisms to break down harmful materials into less toxic or non-toxic
materials.”
Three primary ingredients for bioremediation are:presence of a
contaminant, The an electron acceptor, and The presence of
microorganisms that are capable of degrading the specific contaminant.
Bioremediation isthe use of living micro organisms to degrade the
environmental contaminants into less toxic forms. It uses naturally
occurring bacteria and fungi or plants to degrade or detoxify substances
hazardous to human health and/or the environment.

16. APPLICATIONS:
Biodegradation has numerous applications, including oil spill
cleanup,remediation of contaminated sites, wastewater treatment,
biofuel production, and environmenatal monitoring. These application
contribute to environmental sustainability and human health protection
by reducing the presence.
Through mechanisms likephytoextraction, phytodegradation, and
phytostabilization, it orchestrates an eco-friendly cleanup, tackling
pollutants from heavy metals to organic compounds.
This method is particularly effective in areas with shallow
contamination and is suitable for both in-situ and ex-situ remediation.

17. In aerobic bioremediation, microorganismsuse oxygen as the final
electron acceptor for the oxidation of organic
contaminants(petroleum, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and phe-nols).
Oxygen is also utilized in the metabolic reactions for degradation of
contaminants that serve as a source of energy for microbes.
Biosurfactants play a role in bioremediation byincreasing the surface
area of substrates. Biosurfactant producing microorganisms create
their own micro-environment and promotes emulsification by the
release of certain compounds through various mechanisms such as
quorum sensing.
It's employedto tackle pollution from petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy
metals, pesticides, and various other organic and inorganic.

19. CHALLENGES :
Despite its effectiveness, biodegradation faces challenges such as the
show rate of degradation for certain hydrocarbons, the need formation
of toxic intermediation during degradation processes.
The main problems of bioremediation include the lack of
understanding of microbial processes at the polluted niche,
bioavailability of pollutants, survival of non-native species, and the
need for an integrated multi-disciplinary approach
To reduce the bioavailability of contaminants that have not been
completely broken down: Given that microbial remediation may result
in the incomplete breakdown of organic pollutants, the challenge is to
study a complete breakdown of those contaminants.

20. When soil degrades, the processes that take place within it are
damaged. This causes a decline in soil health, biodiversity and
productivity, leading to issues at all levels of many ecosystems, and
resulting in large environmental consequences such as floods and
mass migration.
Soils are the environment in which seeds grow. They provide heat,
nutrients, and water that are available for use to nurture plants to
maturity. These plants form together with other plants and organisms
to create ecosystems.
Yet the taking of a proper sample is still one of the most
importantfactors limiting the accuracy of soil test re-sults. Poor
sampling is caused by three things:ignorance, failure to follow
instructions, and lazine.

22. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION :
Ongoing research focuses on improving our understanding of
biodegradation mechanisms, optimizing bioremediation
techniquies,identifying novel microorganisms with hydrocarbon-
degarding capabilities, and developing boitechnology solution.
Biodegradation of hydrocarbons is a crucial natural process driven by
microbial activity that plays a signigicat role in environmental
sustainability and pollution control efforts.
Understanding the factors ingluencing biodegradation and advancing
bioremediation technology are esential for mitigating the
environmental impact of hydrocarbon contamination and promoting
ecosystem health.

23. Additional knowledge is needed on the long-term processes of soil
formation, on soil fertility, and how to improve the productive and
ecosystem functions of soil by optimising its biological, chemical and
physical properties.
New avenues for soil and crop management are emerging from an
increased understanding of the ‘soil-food web’, the complex
interactions between plants and soils which support water and nutrient
uptake by plants or increase resistance against pests and diseases.
Research is crucial to better understand, monitor and measure the
specific effects of agricultural and forestry activities on soils.
Designing ways to increase soil carbon content, enhance soil
biodiversity and reduce soil erosion is crucial for food security.