Bioremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons: Role of Nutrient Supplementation in Microbial Degradation

Ummulkulsum Attahiru; Halima Aliyu Garba

doi:10.59890/ijir.v3i10.85

Authors

Ummulkulsum Attahiru Federal University, Birnin Kebbi
Halima Aliyu Garba Federal University, Birnin Kebbi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijir.v3i10.85

Keywords:

Bioremediation, Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Microbial Degradation, Nutrient Supplementation, Environmental Pollution

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution is a major environmental challenge worldwide, particularly in oil-producing regions where accidental spills and improper waste disposal contaminate soil and water. Conventional remediation methods are often costly and may cause secondary pollution, making bioremediation a more sustainable and eco-friendlier alternative. Bioremediation relies on the metabolic activities of microorganisms to degrade pollutants, but the efficiency of this process is frequently limited by nutrient deficiencies in contaminated sites. This study investigates the role of nutrient supplementation specifically nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in enhancing microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Soil samples from a petroleum-contaminated site will be treated with different nutrient regimes (control, N, P, and NP combinations) and monitored over time. Microbial populations and total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentrations will be measured to assess degradation rates. Results are expected to show that appropriate nutrient supplementation significantly accelerates biodegradation by stimulating microbial growth and activity. Findings from this research will provide practical insights for optimizing bioremediation strategies in hydrocarbon-polluted environments, contributing to environmental restoration and sustainable waste management

References

Adesodun, J. K., Olayinka, A., & Adeboye, M. K. (2020). Soil sampling techniques and laboratory analyses. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 30(2), 45–56.

Adēwumi, O. J., Olayinka, A., & Adebisi, A. (2021). Isolation and molecular identification of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from contaminated soils. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 15(3), 150–159. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJMR2020.9355

Agilent Technologies. (2025). Analytical methods for petroleum hydrocarbon quantification using GC-FID and GC-MS. Agilent Application Note.

Ahmed, S. A., Bello, A. I., & Nura, M. (2022). Characterization of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms in petroleum-contaminated soils. Environmental Biotechnology Journal, 14(2), 99–107.

Akinpelu, E. A., Adebayo, S. E., & Ojo, A. (2020). Evaluation of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation in contaminated soils using gravimetric methods. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology, 4(1), 66–73.

Ali, S. M., Hassan, M. E., & Ibrahim, A. M. (2019). Effect of nutrient amendments on microbial degradation of crude oil in contaminated soils. Journal of Environmental Management, 234, 432–440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.12.089

Al-Hawash, A. B., Alkooranee, J. T., Zhang, X., Ma, F., & Sun, J. (2018). A review on bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants in soil and water. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 123, 94–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2017.06.038

AOAC. (2019). Official methods of analysis of AOAC International (21st ed.). AOAC International.

Atlas, R. M., & Bartha, R. (1992). Hydrocarbon biodegradation and oil spill bioremediation. Advances in Microbial Ecology, 12, 287–338.

Atlas, R. M., & Hazen, T. C. (2011). Oil biodegradation and bioremediation: A tale of the two worst spills in U.S. history. Environmental Science & Technology, 45(16), 6709–6715. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2013227

Babaei, A., Alavi, N., & Nabavi, S. (2020). Optimization of C: N: P ratio for enhanced biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 18, 100678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.100678

Bala, H. I., Muhammad, B. U., & Umar, I. (2023). Assessment of nutrient-stimulated biodegradation of hydrocarbons in oil-impacted soils. Nigerian Journal of Applied Sciences, 41(2), 203–215.

Bento, F. M., Camargo, F. A. O., Okeke, B. C., & Frankenberger, W. T. (2005). Comparative bioremediation of soils contaminated with diesel oil by natural attenuation, biostimulation and bioaugmentation. Bioresource Technology, 96(9), 1049–1055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2004.09.008

Chen, L., Zhou, Q., Xu, J., & Wang, X. (2023). Metagenomic insights into nutrient-driven hydrocarbon degradation in oil-contaminated soils. Frontiers in Microbiology, 14, 1183230. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1183230

Chikere, C. B., Okpokwasili, G. C., & Chikere, B. O. (2011). Monitoring of microbial hydrocarbon remediation in the soil. 3 Biotech, 1(3), 117–138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-011-0013-6

Coulon, F., McKew, B. A., Osborn, A. M., McGenity, T. J., & Timmis, K. N. (2007). Effects of temperature and biostimulation on oil-degrading microbial communities in temperate estuarine waters. Environmental Microbiology, 9(1), 177–186.

Das, N., & Chandran, P. (2011). Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants: An overview. Biotechnology Research International, 2011, 941810. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/941810

Eze, C. N., & Okeke, B. C. (2021). Effect of nutrient type on hydrocarbon degradation by soil bacteria. African Journal of Biotechnology, 20(3), 119–126.

Head, I. M., Jones, D. M., & Röling, W. F. M. (2006). Marine microorganisms make a meal of oil. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 4, 173–182. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro1348

Ibrahim, U., & Musa, I. (2022). Comparative effectiveness of nutrient supplementation strategies for hydrocarbon bioremediation. Journal of Environmental Sustainability Research, 5(2), 88–97.

Johnsen, A. R., Wick, L. Y., & Harms, H. (2005). Principles of microbial PAH-degradation in soil. Environmental Pollution, 133(1), 71–84.

Leahy, J. G., & Colwell, R. R. (1990). Microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in the environment. Microbiological Reviews, 54(3), 305–315.

Lee, K., Levy, E. M., & Saffran, K. A. (1993). Bioremediation of oil spills on low-energy shorelines: The role of nutrient addition. In Proceedings of the 1993 Oil Spill Conference (pp. 449–454). American Petroleum Institute.

Li, W., Zhang, J., & Zhang, Z. (2023). Statistical evaluation of nutrient effects on microbial degradation of hydrocarbons. Environmental Data Analytics, 9(4), 33–42.

Margesin, R., & Schinner, F. (2001). Bioremediation (natural attenuation and biostimulation) of diesel-oil-contaminated soil in an alpine glacier skiing area. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 67(7), 3127–3133.

Meckenstock, R. U., von Netzer, F., Stumpp, C., Lueders, T., Himmelberg, A. M., Hertkorn, N., Schmitt-Kopplin, P., Harir, M., Hosein, R., Haque, S., Schulze-Makuch, D., & Totsche, K. U. (2016). Water droplets in oil are microhabitats for microbial life. Science, 351(6279), 817–820. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aad6500

Megharaj, M., Ramakrishnan, B., Venkateswarlu, K., Sethunathan, N., & Naidu, R. (2011). Bioremediation approaches for organic pollutants: A critical perspective. Environment International, 37(8), 1362–1375.

Mekonnen, B., Abate, D., & Taddese, A. (2024). Nutrient amendment strategies for enhanced biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons: A critical review. Environmental Advances, 15, 100389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100389

Mrozik, A., & Piotrowska-Seget, Z. (2010). Bioaugmentation as a strategy for cleaning up soils contaminated with aromatic compounds. Microbiological Research, 165(5), 363–375.

Nikolopoulou, M., & Kalogerakis, N. (2010). Biostimulation strategies for fresh and chronically polluted marine environments with petroleum hydrocarbons. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, 85(6), 769–778.

Nikolopoulou, M., Pasadakis, N., Norf, H., & Kalogerakis, N. (2013). Enhanced ex situ bioremediation of crude oil contaminated beach sand by supplementation with nutrients and rhamnolipids. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 77(1–2), 37–44.

Okoh, A. I. (2006). Biodegradation alternative in the cleanup of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants. Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 1(2), 38–50.

Okoro, C. C., Eze, C. N., & Nwaogazie, I. L. (2021). Standard laboratory procedures for petroleum hydrocarbon contamination studies. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Research, 8(1), 55–68.

Ou, L., Zhang, X., & Li, Y. (2024). Metatranscriptomic insights into nitrogen-driven aromatic hydrocarbon degradation in soil. Science of the Total Environment, 918, 168432.

Ou, L., Zhang, X., & Li, Y. (2025). Phosphorus availability influences aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation and microbial dynamics in contaminated soils. Applied Soil Ecology, 198, 105256.

Rahman, K. S. M., Rahman, T. J., McClean, S., Marchant, R., & Banat, I. M. (2019). Rhamnolipid biosurfactants and their role in environmental bioremediation. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 145, 389–397.

Rhykerd, R. L., Weaver, R. W., & McInnes, K. J. (1995). Influence of salinity on bioremediation of oil in soil. Environmental Pollution, 90(1), 127–130.

Röling, W. F. M., Milner, M. G., Jones, D. M., Lee, K., Daniel, F., Swannell, R. P. J., & Head, I. M. (2002). Robust hydrocarbon degradation and dynamics of bacterial communities during nutrient-enhanced oil spill bioremediation. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68(11), 5537–5548.

Sah, R. K., Zhang, H., & Kumar, S. (2022). Hydrocarbon degradation pathways and biosurfactant-mediated bioavailability enhancement: A review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 10(3), 107301.

Shibata, T., Komatsu, K., & Yamamoto, S. (2022). Gas chromatography analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil microcosms. Analytical Methods, 14(19), 1876–1885.

Udume, J. O., Bello, A. I., & Lawal, H. S. (2023). Engineered biostimulation strategies for petroleum hydrocarbon degradation: A review of field-scale applications. Environmental Technology Reviews, 12(1), 31–52.

Uribe-Flores, J. D., Fernandez-Luqueno, F., & López-Valdez, F. (2014). Nutrient amendment strategies in hydrocarbon biodegradation. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 225, 2104. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2104-7

USEPA. (2007). Method 3540C: Soxhlet extraction. United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Usman, A. I., Ibrahim, U., & Bala, H. I. (2024). Effect of nutrient amendments on soil physicochemical properties during hydrocarbon biodegradation. African Journal of Environmental Science, 18(2), 120–133.

Varjani, S. J. (2017). Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Bioresource Technology, 223, 277–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.10.037

Wu, M., Chen, L., Tian, Y., Ding, Y., & Xu, J. (2013). Nitrogen and phosphorus addition enhanced petroleum biodegradation in contaminated soil but decreased bacterial diversity. PLoS ONE, 8(6), e65089. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0065089

Xu, Y., & Lu, M. (2010). Bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil: Comparison of different biostimulation and bioaugmentation treatments. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 183(1–3), 395–401.

Zhu, X., Wang, J., & Zhang, C. (2020). Enrichment and characterization of oil-degrading bacteria from contaminated soils. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 8, 581239.