The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai has been making headlines recently for its development of an eco-friendly crude oil bioremediation mechanism technology. This innovative system utilizes consortia – a group of two or more species – of marine microbes immobilized on wheat bran agro-residue bacterial cells. Wheat bran, which is the hard outer layer of the wheat kernel that is typically removed during the milling process, plays a crucial role in this sustainable technology.
Understanding Eco-friendly Crude Oil Bioremediation Mechanism Technology
Bioremediation can be described as any process that utilizes microorganisms or their enzymes to eliminate or neutralize contaminants within the environment, restoring them to their original condition. In the case of marine ecosystems, a deep sea hydrocarbonoclastic microbial consortium is pivotal in breaking down oil spills. These microbial communities serve as primary degraders of complex mixtures of petroleum hydrocarbons, transforming them into an array of aldehydes, ketones, and acidic metabolites.
Despite not being dependent on hydrocarbons for survival, these bacteria have a metabolic mechanism where they utilize petroleum products as sources of carbon and energy, thereby aiding in cleaning up oil spills. The complete breakdown of crude oil becomes achievable with the use of wheat bran marine bacterial consortia, low-cost, non-toxic agro-residues that provide an environmentally sustainable solution.
The Advantages of Immobilized Bacteria
These bacteria prove to be more effective in their immobilized state than as free cells in degrading oil spills. Studies show they could remove 84% of the oils within a span of 10 days compared to free bacterial cells that degraded a maximum of 60% of the crude oil under optimized conditions. Not only are they more versatile, but they also show greater resistance to adverse conditions. The immobilized bacteria have demonstrated efficacy in treating accidental bulk discharge of oil in marine environments through non-toxic clean-up technology.
Understanding Oil Spills
An oil spill refers to the accidental or uncontrolled release of crude oil, gasoline, fuels, or other oil by-products into the environment which can affect land, air, or water. It is most commonly associated with oceanic incidents. For instance, in 2020, the MV Wakashio spill off Mauritius led to approximately 1,000 tonnes of oil spilling into a sanctuary for rare wildlife after the Japanese ship struck a coral reef.
The Causes and Measures for Oil Spills
Oil spills have become a significant environmental problem largely due to intensified petroleum exploration and production on continental shelves and the transport of large quantities of oils in vessels. As such, cleaning up oil spillage from oceans without causing harm to the marine ecosystem has turned into an increasingly difficult task.
To tackle this, containment booms are used to restrict the spread of oil and allow for its recovery, removal, or dispersal. Skimmers physically separate spilled oil from the water’s surface. Various sorbents such as straw, volcanic ash, and shavings of polyester-derived plastic absorb the oil from the water. Meanwhile, chemicals containing surfactants break liquid substances like oil into small droplets, accelerating its natural dispersion into the sea.