Biodegradation of phenol, anthracene and acenaphthene singly and consortium culture of indigenous microorganism isolates from underground coal gasification area

Abstract

The gasification of Coal has a potential for long term energy supply in the future by conversion of non-mineable coal seams to syngas for various industrial applications. However, recalcitrant aromatic compounds such as phenol, anthracene, and acenaphthene from UGC are potential to contaminate groundwater, soil and the broader environment. Therefore, the polluted environment required bioremediation. The purpose of this study was to determine the capability of Bacillus velezensis and Stenotropromonas maltophilia isolated from the area of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) on biodegradation of phenol, anthracene, and acenaphthene in the single and mixed cultures. The degradation of pollutants in the concentration range of 250-500 ppm evaluated by measuring of the ability of bacteria to grow in single component supplemented mineral salt media, screening tests for hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria and biodegradation ability by gravimetric analysis method. The results showed biodegradability of phenol, anthracene, and acenaphthene at concentration 500 ppm after 14 days by S. maltophilia were 60,2%, 80,4%, and 82,5%. B. velezensis showed 79% of biodegradability of phenol, anthracene 79,8%, and acenaphthene 81,1%. The consortium of both isolates has the highest percentage of phenol, anthracene, and acenapthene biodegradation 83,4 %, 83, 53 % and 83,47 % respectively.