Development of the Pour Plave Procedure for the Determination of Organic Degrading Organisms on JP-4 Jet Fuel

Abstract

With the estimation of several thousands of leaking petroleum storage tanks and major oil tanker spills there is a serious need and a large market for the expansion of bioremediation. As bioremediation was applied in the Exxon Valdez oil spill it can be applied petrolium pollution that is on a smaller scale, and also on land, to thoroughly and effectively clean and improve environmental conditions. In this study research involved experimentation with naturally occurring soil bacteria to degrade a hydrocarbon source, lP-4 jet fuel. These experiments were conducted on two types of media. Noble agar was used to take advantage of its acarbon properties and therefore provide a sterile background for accurate growth of bacteria in relation to the jet fuel. Plate Count Agar was used to determine the viability of the soil bacteria and demonstrate the ability of a positive growth marker, Triphenyl Tetrazolium Chloride. The pH of the Noble agar proved to be a major limiting factor to growth until it was corrected, after which growth was observed on the Noble agar using two carbohydrates, D-Mannose and Saccharose. With this information, further studies should be conducted in order to determine how best to manipulate environmental factors for maximum bacteria growth, hence effective biodegradation.