Biodegradation of crude oil in sandy sediment

The bioremediation of light Arabian oil in sandy sediment by the mixed cult ure designated N-D, obtained from landfarming, associated to indigenous mic roorganisms resulted in 42.9% reduction of the heavy fraction of oil in 28 days when a phosphate and a nitrate source were provided. Tests performed o nly in the presence of native flora, have achieved 11.9% removal of these c ompounds. These results have demonstrated the importance of utilizing cultu res adapted to pollutants to enhance efficiency and productivity of the bio remediation process. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.