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Microbial communities in petroleum refinery effluents and their complex functions

Summary

Oil refineries produce large amounts of wastewater containing harmful petroleum products and heavy metals. Instead of using toxic chemical treatments, scientists are discovering that microorganisms naturally found in this wastewater—including bacteria, fungi, algae, and yeast—can break down these pollutants safely and effectively. These microbes can degrade oil hydrocarbons, remove heavy metals, and produce natural surfactants that help in the cleanup process, offering an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution to refinery pollution.

Background

Petroleum refinery effluents (PRE) contain toxic compounds including total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals that pose significant threats to aquatic habitats, human health, and the environment. While physical and chemical treatment methods exist, they often produce hazardous by-products. PRE contains diverse microbial communities capable of bioremediation and biodegradation of oil contaminants.

Objective

This review aims to comprehensively understand natural microbial communities found in petroleum refinery effluents and their complex functions. The goal is to facilitate advancement of innovative biotechnology for treating PRE, improving bioremediation processes, and potentially transforming PRE into valuable bio-products through sustainable green approaches.

Results

The review identifies diverse microbial communities in PRE including bacteria (Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Acinetobacter), fungi (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium), yeast (Candida), and microalgae (Chlorella, Scenedesmus). These organisms demonstrate capabilities for hydrocarbon biodegradation with degradation efficiencies ranging from 27-100%, heavy metal removal (up to 100% for cadmium), and biosurfactant production that enhances bioremediation.

Conclusion

Microbial communities in PRE possess remarkable capabilities for bioremediation and biodegradation of petroleum contaminants and heavy metals through both enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways. Understanding these microbial communities enables development of sustainable green biotechnologies as alternatives to toxic chemical treatments, offering cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions for petroleum refinery effluent treatment.
  • Published in:Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMC11097069, PMID: 38766506
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