BIODEGRADATION OF PYRENE HYDROCARBON BY Pseudomonas hydrolytica BACTERİA

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds that are released to the environment as a result of negligence and mistakes made during their use, spilling of oil and disposal of fossil fuels before they are completely burned. Accumulation and long-term persistence of PAHs in the environment affect the environment and biological balance. Biodegradation is the most important and fundamental mechanism for the removal of PAHs from the environment. Various chemical compounds are used as energy and carbon sources by microorganisms and converted into different biological products. Pyrene is among the hydrocarbons classified as priority pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Pyrene is a high molecular weight PAH. This group of PAHs is resistant to biodegradation and therefore more persistent in the environment. In this study, it was found that Pseudomonas hydrolytica isolated from the soil sample taken from Sinop Port degraded 73% of the pyrene hydrocarbon. Optimization studies were carried out using the Taguchi method and the best biodegradation was determined when the temperature, pH and salinity were the factors affecting biodegradation at 31 ^oC, pH 6, pyrene concentration 1g/L and salinity 0.1 g/L. Elimination of PAHs that cause problems in the environment and reducing pollution by using microorganisms create potential for bioremediation studies of PAHs.