Modeling of petroleum hydrocarbons by indigenous microorganisms in the region under Nitrate reduction conditions

Abstract

A two-dimensional model was developed for the decomposition of petroleum hydrocarbons by local microorganisms under the conditions of nitrate reduction (denitrification). To apply this model, a group of anaerobic mobile microbes with low concentration in the environment was considered. Therefore, after this time, there will be no leakage from the ground surface. The model was implemented with the assumption that the sources of pollution will be removed from the surface of the earth after 36 years. Also, it is assumed that the microbial population is not absorbed into the solid phase of the aquarium environment and nitrate is the only electron acceptor in the environment. Numerical solutions were obtained using the finite volume method. The results showed that the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in some areas of the site is higher than the standard, which can cause health risks. In addition, the results of field studies showed that nitrogen accumulation in the soil of Ray Industrial Area and Tehran Oil Refining Company is high. This issue shows that the natural dilution processes alone are not able to completely clean the studied site from oil pollution, and for the complete cleaning of the water system, a suitable improvement strategy should be considered. To be designed according to the conditions of the site.