A Case Study of Biosurfactant Producing Bacterial Bloom from Oil Contaminated Sites After Flood in Kerala

Abstract

Petroleum spillage around the world have played major role in generating the solid Wastes during the tanker accidents and stocking of crude oil. The ecology of hydrocarbon degradation by microbial populations in the natural environment is analysed, highlighting the physical, chemical, and biological factors that cause the biodegradation of petroleum and individual hydrocarbons. Therefore, the present study has shown that the indigenous Bacillus sp., isolated from the polluted study sample (Kochi) possessed the capacity to produce suitable biosurfactant. The effectiveness of the bioremediation mediated by the biosurfactant extract was studied by finding out the germination percentage of a fast growing leguminous plant (Pisum sativum). Therefore the findings of the study revealed that the bacillus sp., isolated from Kochi possesses remarkable oil degrading properties and can be effectively employed in the bioremediation of oil contaminated soils. It can be considered as one the effective clean-up technologies of the future.