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अमूर्त

Efficacy and Bioremediation Enhancement Potential of Four Dispersants Approved For Oil Spill Control in Nigeria

Temitope Olawunmi Sogbanmu and Adebayo Akeem Otitoloju

The efficacy of four dispersants using the modified swirling flask method and their potential to support bacterial growth during simulated oil spill control were evaluated. On the basis of the derived efficacy ratios, OC/TT/OSI was the most effective dispersant tested followed by DS/TT/066, Biosolve and CCOD. The results of the bioremediation studies revealed that the dispersant, Biosolve supported the highest bacterial growth followed by CCOD, DS/TT/066 and OC/TT/OSI. Determination of left-over hydrocarbon content in dispersant-treated media showed that level of remediation was highest in media treated with DS/TT/066 followed by OC/TT/OSI, CCOD and Biosolve. Correlation analysis of bacterial growth with hydrocarbon content in assay media revealed that the dispersant, CCOD had the highest Bioremediation Enhancement Factor (-0.96) followed by Biosolve (-0.88), DS/TT/066 (-0.31) and OC/TT/OSI (0.15). The implications of these results in choosing dispersants that can enhance faster biodegradation of spilled crude oil in aquatic ecosystems were discussed.