Utilization of hexadecane by biocomposition based on humic acids of peats and oil-degrading microorganisms of the genus Rhodococcus in aqueous media

The concentration of humic acids of peats from the Tula region, equal to 50 mg/l, linking the maximum amount of hexadecane as a model object of the light fraction of oil was revealed. The dependence of the utilizing ability of oil-degrading microorganisms Rhodococcus erythropolis S67 and Rhodococcus erythropolis X5 was studied. It is established that the microorganisms of this strain are the most capable of utilizing hexadecane in a solution of not more than 5% by volume. Humic acids of reed fen peat and sphagnum high-moor peat are capable of binding up to 50% of hexadecane with its content in a solution of 2% by volume. The maximum binding of the model alkane was demonstrated by a biocomposition consisting of humic acids of reed fen peat at 50 mg/l and microorganisms of Rhodococcus erythropolis S67. This biocomposition is capable for utilizing up to 95% of hexadecane with its content in the solution of 2% by volume and up to 35% at 20% vol, which serves as the basis for creating on its basis an effective chemical and biological sorbent for cleaning soil and water environments from oil pollution