Bioremediation and Biodegradation of Crude Oil Polluted Soil

Crude oil flows through piping system and vessels under specified pressure from the reservoir or from pumps which are mechanically assisted. Petroleum hydrocarbon discharge into marine (offshore) or land (onshore) is toxic/injurious to living biota in the ecosystem of the spill, even as it exhibits potential risks of normal soil processes interference and fire hazards. This chapter discusses the biological remediation of soil polluted by treated and raw crude oil. Several microorganisms have been reported for bioremediation of polluted soil, but only Pseudomonas aeruginosa (bacteria) and Aspergillus niger (fungi) were discussed. This chapter presents information that is useful to the oil industries, researchers, oil prospecting communities, governments, and stakeholders involved in finding solution approach to the challenges of onshore oil spills. The chapter also highlights the bioremediation kinetics, principle of bioremediation, and the roles of microorganism in bioremediation. Amongst many techniques employed to decontaminate affected sites, bioremediation using indigenous microorganisms is by far the most widely used. Other technologies commonly used include mechanical, burying, evaporation, dispersion, and washing. However, these technologies are expensive and can lead to incomplete decomposition of contaminants.