Resumen

INFANTE, Carmen et al. Efecto del potasio en la biorremediación de un suelo contaminado con un crudo liviano. Bioagro [online]. 2010, vol.22, n.2, pp.145-152. ISSN 1316-3361.

Effects of potassium on the bioremediation of a soil contaminated with medium crude oil Nitrogen and phosphorous play an important role in the bioremediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons; however, little is known about the effects of potassium. In this study we evaluated the effect of three carbon and potassium ratios, with and without the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus, on the bioremediation of a contaminated sandy loamy soil with medium crude oil. To achieve this goal, the rates of degradation and biodegradation were determined at 0, 15, 45 and 60 days and expressed as a percentage of the initial crude content. Likewise, CO2 production was measured and qualitative analyses of the remaining crude oil fractions were performed using GC-FID, in treatments with N, P and K. The degradation rate (which includes losses by abiotic processes) and the biodegradation rates (which does not include losses by abiotic processes) were higher in those treatments with N (C/N: 60) and P (C/P: 800), and whichever of the C/K ratios assessed (C/K: 200 C/K: 400, C/K: 600). Additionally, a higher CO₂ production and a markedly paraffin reduction were obtained. These results show that the use of K combined with N and P, increases degradation rates, and a ratio C:K 600:1 is recommended because it implies less amounts of potassium and lower costs in fertilization.

Palabras clave : Biodegradation; nitrogen; phosphorus; nutrients.