ENHANCEMENT OF DECONTAMINATION OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBONS IN CRUDE OIL POLLUTED SOIL BY USING CYCLODEXTRINS

Abstract

Soil contaminated by total petroleum hydrocarbons is a well-recognized worldwide problem because of its strong persistence in the environment and its potentially toxic effects on human beings, animals and microorganisms. During the past three decades, the research and development of remediation technology for petroleum hydrocarbons-contaminated soil have been systematically studied such as the physical, chemical and bioremediation technologies. To address the associated environmental concerns, innovative remediation technologies are urgently needed. Cyclodextrins are nonhazardous and environmentally acceptable organic substances that have been shown to be biodegradable in soil and water after their introduction into an environmental system. The decontamination technique based in cyclodextrin extraction has been developed to eliminate petroleum hydrocarbons. Cyclodextrins have successfully been used in soil cleaning technologies as solubiliser–carrier molecules. These molecules can transfer continuously the insoluble contaminants from the soil surface to the aqueous phase by complex formation. In the aqueous phase the microorganisms can degrade the contaminants much easier partly because these molecules become available for the microbial cells, partly because the entrapment of contaminants by cyclodextrins reduces their toxicity.