Nano-enhanced Bioremediation for Oil Spills: A Review

Oil seepage and spills have lasting detrimental effects on the environment, especially on nearby marine ecosystems. Despite quick and safe removal of contaminating oil being of utmost importance, remediation methods have remained largely unchanged over the last 20+ years. Removal methods such as ski...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ACS ES&T engineering 2021-06, Vol.1 (6), p.928-946
Main Authors: Pete, Amber J, Bharti, Bhuvnesh, Benton, Michael G
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Oil seepage and spills have lasting detrimental effects on the environment, especially on nearby marine ecosystems. Despite quick and safe removal of contaminating oil being of utmost importance, remediation methods have remained largely unchanged over the last 20+ years. Removal methods such as skimmers, in situ burning, and sorbents can be difficult to implement in inclement weather. Marine microorganisms consume spilled oil as a primary energy source in a method known as bioremediation. Recently the introduction of nanoparticles to areas contaminated by oil has emerged as a potential method to enhance the efficacy of oil degradation by marine microorganisms. Nanoparticles have been primarily utilized as magnetic sorbents but can also act as emulsifiers, increasing the bioavailability of the oil by giving microbes a surface (droplets) to which they can attach and facilitate proliferation. Emulsification increases the oil–water interfacial area and often leads to an increase in the amount of oil degraded by microorganisms. Nanoenhanced bioremediation is effective on a variety of oil compositions and is minimally impacted by weather. It offers a sustainable alternative to traditional remediation methods, i.e., chemical dispersants, sorbents, and in situ burning, which are often toxic and ineffective.
ISSN:2690-0645
2690-0645
DOI:10.1021/acsestengg.0c00217