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The Co-Application of Earthworms (Dendrobaena Veneta) and Compost to Increase Hydrocarbon Losses From Diesel Contaminated Soils

The Co-Application of Earthworms (Dendrobaena Veneta) and Compost to Increase Hydrocarbon Losses From Diesel Contaminated Soils

Zachary A Hickman, Brian J Reid

Environ Int. 2008 Oct;34(7):1016-22.

PMID: 18456332

Abstract:

The feasibility of using composted civic waste for the remediation of a soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) 10+/-1.8 g kg(-1) and total 16 USEPA PAH 1.62+/-0.5 g kg(-1)) was assessed. The effects of compost to soil ratio, in combination with and without earthworm presence (Dendrobaena veneta), upon the loss of contaminants were determined for EPH (GC-FID) and PAH (GC-MS), respectively. Increasing the ratio of compost substrate to hydrocarbon impacted soil (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4 (soil:compost wt/wt)) in the absence of earthworms resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) greater losses of both EPH and SigmaPAH after an 84 d incubation period, when compared to the soil only control. Where earthworms were present without compost, EPH losses were significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced in the soil only treatment (33.4+/-5.3% residual) compared to the soil only control (54.4+/-5.3% residual). However, PAH loss in the soil only treatment (with-earthworm presence) were only slightly enhanced (65.3+/-9.3% residual), with respect to the soil only control (69.2+/-6.4% residual). Synergistic benefits of both earthworm and compost presence were most significant for PAHs (p < 0.05), and less so for EPH. 14C-respirometer studies, to establish catabolic competence in terms of microbial mineralisation of key hydrocarbons, complemented the hydrocarbon analysis.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Price
AS2121188	Diesel - Soil 1	Price
AS2121283	EPH by GC/FID	Price
AS2121284	EPH by GC/FID 2	Price

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