EFFECTS OF PEAT AND MUSSEL SHELL ON MICROBIAL REMEDIATION OF SOIL PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON POLLUTION

Soil petroleum hydrocarbon pollution is a serious environmental problem facing the world, posing a massive threat to human health and ecological environment security. This study used two common materials in daily life (the peat and the mussel shell) as soil conditioners to remediate petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. During the 300-day test period, the performance of soil microorganisms was measured by total soil heterotrophic bacteria and petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, and the degradation of soil TPH was examined. The results showed that the mixed addition of the crushed mussel shell (CMS) and peat could significantly promote the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in soil. This may result from a combination of physicochemical and microbial interactions between the modifier and the petroleum hydrocarbon. Peat provides rich nutrients for soil microorganisms. The addition of peat as a soil amendment significantly enhanced the activity of soil microorganisms. The promotion of soil petroleum hydrocarbon degradation by CMS was slightly weaker. Different concentrations of TPH-contaminated soil had different responses to amendments. In conclusion, the promotion effect of peat on soil petroleum hydrocarbon degradation is more significant than that of CMS, and peat is a modifier that can be considered for soil petroleum hydrocarbon remediation.