Biodegradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Aerobic Mixed Bacterial Culture Isolated from Hydrocarbon Polluted Soils

In this study, the degradation potential of five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by aerobic mixed bacterial cultures was investigated. Microorganisms were isolated from hydrocarbon contaminated soils of Shadegan wetland located in southwest of Iran. The degradation experiments were conducted in liquid cultures. PAH or PAHs concentration was 100 mg/L at the beginning of degradation experiments. After ten days incubation, the mixed culture was capable of degrading phenanthrene completely and anthracene 80%, pyrene 60%, fluorene 30%, and fluoranthene 20%, individually. Optimal temperature and pH were as 30 °C and 7.0 respectively. Results showed that in samples containing a mixture of the five PAHs, fluoranthene could degrade cometabolically and the rate of degradation increased from 20 to 44%. It was observed also that PAHs degradation could be enhanced by the individual addition of yeast extract or glucose. The isolated mixed culture is valuable in bioremediation of PAH-contaminated environments.