Abstract
A bioremediation project for oil-contaminated soils of three kinds was performed using land farming techniques. To evaluate the remediation process, the carbon utilization of soil microorganisms was analyzed using Biolog GN2 plates containing 95 separate carbon sources in addition to oil concentrations and a number of oil-degrading microorganisms in soil. With addition of black soil or compost to the soils, the populations of oil-degrading microorganisms were enriched. Consequently, the oil concentrations in the soil decreased from 3000–4000 ㎎/㎏-dry to 1000 ㎎/㎏-dry within 40–60 days with a gradual decrease in the populations of oildegrading microorganisms. Although the soils before bioremediation showed differing carbon utilization profiles, they showed a similar profile with decreased carbon utilization, especially of carbohydrates, after decrease of the oil concentration. Principal component analysis based on the carbon utilization profiles of the soil samples demonstrated a positive correlation with oil concentrations and principal component 1, while principal component 2 showed a negative correlation with the logarithm of populations of oil-degrading microorganisms.
