Bioremediation of oil-spilled sites through seeding of naturally adapted Pseudomonas putida

Considering the government-imposed regulations in developing countries as well as the negative impacts on genetically engineered microorganism (GEM), a field study was conducted with the naturally adapted Pseudomonas putida isolated from oil-contaminated sites of BHEL, Tiruchirappalli, India, to evaluate the biodegradation of crude oil in the open environment. Replicate field trials comprising of oil, oil plus bacteria, oil plus fertilizer and oil plus bacteria and fertilizer were monitored for total viable count and rate of degradation of crude oil. There was an increase in microbial count and rate of degradation in oil plus bacteria and fertilizer plot. It also revealed that fertilizer stimulated the rapid multiplication of microbes which simultaneously increased the rate of degradation. The present work illustrates the successful bioremediation of oil in the open environment by the naturally adapted microbe which might serve as an important adjunct in oil spillage operations. In view of tropical climate prevailing during most part of the year, the rate of oil degradation was faster.