title: Response surface analysis and modeling of n-alkanes removal through bioremediation of weathered crude oil.
abstract: Central composite design (CCD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed to optimize four important variables, i.e. amounts of oil, bacterial inoculum, nitrogen and phosphorus, for the removal of selected n-alkanes during bioremediation of weathered crude oil in coastal sediments using laboratory bioreactors over a 60 day experimentation period. The reactors contained 1 kg soil with different oil, microorganisms and nutrients concentrations. The F Value of 26.89 and the probability value (P < 0.0001) demonstrated significance of the regression model. For crude oil concentration of 2, 16 and 30 g per kg sediments and under optimized conditions, n-alkanes removal was 97.38, 93.14 and 90.21% respectively. Natural attenuation removed 30.07, 25.92 and 23.09% n-alkanes from 2, 16 and 30 g oil/kg sediments respectively. Excessive nutrients addition was found to inhibit bioremediation.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mohajeri
authors.forename: Hamidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abdul Aziz
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ali Zahed
authors.forename: Soraya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mohajeri
authors.forename: Shamsul Rahman
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mohamed Kutty
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasnain Isa
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry; D010578:Petroleum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry; D012044:Regression Analysis
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D009821:Oils; D010578:Petroleum; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen