The goal of the proposed research is to quantify and characterize microorganisms (bacteria) in sediment samples contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs: Fluorene or ph-enathrene). The isolated organisms will be evaluated for their ability to degrade PAHs compounds (Fluorene or phenathrene). The results will support current research at Rice University (Houston), e.g. isolates can be applied in situ bioremediation experiments. For the long run, the results can be used as base for microbial research in cooperation with Rice University. This research proposal is designed for one year.
Contamination of sediments with PAHâs is widespread in the Gulf Coast region. Development
of cost effective remediation processes, such as bioremediation, is a critical need
in this region. This proposal, if funded, will compliment and support current studies
being conducted at Rice University (Bioremediation of Contaminated Sediments and
Dredged Materials; Hughes and Ward PIs). The focus of studies at Rice University
is to examine the potential of the bioremediation process for treatment of PAH contaminated
sediments. Little is known about the PAH degrading flora present, and characterization
of bacteria present would greatly enhance ongoing studies (Hughes, J. B., personal
communication, 1994). To insure that proposed work compliments these ongoing studies,
researchers at Rice have agreed to provide sediment samples from their systems for
use in these microbial studies.
This proposal presents a plan for research and technology development needed to economically
treat remediated and managed contaminated sediments in situ, in place, and during
dredging operations. These procedures will be done aseptically in biohazard hood
Laminar flow cabinet. Parallel sterile controls will be prepared similarly except
that no culture will be added. Killed cell controls will be obtained by autoclaving
the flasks containing the added culture. After an appropriate period of incubation
time, three replicate cultures and controls will be sampled following the introduction
of 10 ml of acetonitrile (HPLC grade, Fisher Scientific) into each of the Erlenmeyer
flasks to stop growth and to solubilize the PAH. The flasks will be placed back
on the shaker and shaken overnight. The samples will be centrifuged and supernatants
will be analyzed by using HPLC, according to specifications of Hughes and Ward 1992(3).