Oilfield waste treatment using novel hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial consortium - A microcosm approach.

Oily sludge is a hazardous waste generated through petroleum producing and processing industrial units. Due to its harmful environmental impacts, it needs to be treated in sustainable manner. The present study aimed to evaluate influence of bioaugmentation on oily sludge biodegradation efficiency of a novel hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial consortium (HUBC) using microcosms. Three approaches (bioaugmentation, natural attenuation and abiotic factors) were used for microcosm studies. Bioaugmentation treatment showed best results for oily sludge degradation than natural attenuation and abiotic factors, resulting 82.13 ± 1.21% oily sludge degradation in 56 days. In bioaugmented microcosm on 56th day 0.30 ± 0.07 × 108 CFU/g hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria were noted. Results showed that HUBC could be used to remediate soil polluted with oily sludge. This study imparts a notable approach for farming application(s).