Bioremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated soil
US5427944A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 24, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 24, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S435/863
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A mixed bacteria culture for biodegrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants includes Achromobacter sp. and Mycobacterium sp. which have been grown together and gradually acclimated to utilize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a primary food source. The mixed bacteria culture can be utilized for in situ or ex situ bioremediation of contaminated soil, or in any of various conventional bioreactors to treat contaminated liquids such as landfill leachates, groundwater or industrial effluents. The bacteria, the nutrients used to sustain growth of the bacteria, and the products of the biodegradation of the polycyclic aromatic or other hydrocarbons are all substantially harmless to the environment. The mixed bacteria can be utilized in the presence of oxygen, or hydrogen peroxide can be used alone or in combination with oxygen as an effective alternative electron acceptor. The mixed bacteria culture of Achromobacter sp. and Mycobacterium sp. provides an environmentally safe and affordable means for rapidly and effectively eliminating a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants from the environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.