Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

DEGRADATION OF PETROLEUM OIL BY ENTEROCOCCUS CLOACAE

C. RAVICHANDRAN AND J. SANGEETHA

Abstract

It is known that bacteria are the principal petroleum degrading microorganisms. Therefore, this study was done to evaluate the potential of bacteria in degrading petroleum oil which are present in refinery sludge. Oil refinery wastes are broadly categorized into oily sludge and effluent treatment sludge. The most common problem faced by oil refineries is the utilization of the sludge in a manner that is ecofriendly and cost effective without causing environmental problems. In the present study, Enterococcus cloacae were involved in to bioremediation experiments to evaluate its capability of degrading oil in refinery sludge. It has been found to degrade 39.3% of oil which are present in refinery sludge.