Degradation kinetics of Jet fuel A and Bunker C Oil in sandy soils: the effect of plant materials amendments and nutrients [ ]


In this work, the kinetics of the degradation of two petroleum hydrocarbon fraction (Jet fuel A (JFA) and bunker C oil (BCO)) in sandy soil was studied during winter and spring seasons of 2010. The effect of adding some plant materials with oxidative enzymes content (A Sativa, A Cepa, Brassica Rapa and Raphanus Sativus) as bulking agent as well as the addition of N and P nutrients upon the degradation process was also investigated. The results indicated that the kinetics for JFA degradation varied between first order equation (ln C= ln C0 – kt) for natural attenuation and in the presence of A Cepa and Raphanus Sativus minced roots. Zero order equation rate (C= C0 – kt) was obtained in the case of the addition of A Sativum and Brassica Rapa roots and in the application of commercial nitrate and phosphates fertilizers to the contaminated soil mixtures. The degradation rate for the heavier fuel oil fraction using minced root materials was better described by the zero order equation C = C0 – kt applying A Cepa to the soil mixtures. However, the biodegradation kinetics rates for A Sativum, Brassica Rapa and Raphanus Sativus followed the equation C = C0 – kt(0.2) based upon higher R2 values obtained. Overall, the applied four root materials achieved ≈ 90% reduction in JFA content while a maximum of 32% reduction of BCO was achieved using Raphanus Sativus root with and without nutrients.