Study on Mobilization and Desorption Effects of Biosurfactant Produced in Biodegradation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils

This study considers mobilization and desorption effects of biosurfactant produced in biodegradation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils. 88 erlens with 100cc volume containing slurry contaminated kaolinite soil with 10000ppm and 50000ppm crude oil concentrations used as reactors. Mixed culture microorganisms were isolated from contaminated soils collected from Tehran refinery with total petroleum hydrocarbon then cultured in mineral solution. Results indicated that production of biosurfactant by microorganism cause to desorption and mobilization of hydrophobic hydrocarbon compounds. Further more shaking and aeration have been negligible effect on desorption and mobilization. Results also have shown that 19% of total reduction of TPH (about 40%) in twenty days concerns biosurfactant effects for 50000ppm samples. This effect is about 7% for 10000ppm samples.