Bioremediation of a soil contaminated by hydrocarbon mixtures: the residual concentration problem

The phenomenon of residual concentration was investigated in the aerobic bi odegradation of three different petroleum commercial products (i.e., kerose ne, diesel fuel and a lubricating mineral oil) in static microcosms. Two di fferent soils exhibiting different physical-chemical characteristics were u sed (i.e., a biologically treated hydrocarbon-contaminated soil and a prist ine soil). Residual concentrations were observed and a simple way to take t his phenomenon into account was proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.