ABSTRACT
Bio-augmentation is a promising technique for remediation of polluted soils. This study aimed to evaluate the So-augmentation effect of Rhodobacter sphaeroides biofertilizer [RBF] on the bioremediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons [TPH] contaminated soil. A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted over a period of 120 days, three methods for enhancing bio-augmentation were tested on TPH contaminated soils, including single addition RBF, pianting, and combining of RBF and three crop species, such as wheat [W], cabbage [C] and spinach [S], respectively. The results demonstrated that the best removal of TPH from contaminated soil in the RBF bio-augmentation rhizosphere SOds was found to be 46.2%, 65.4%, 67.5% for W+RBF, C+RBF, S+RBF rhizosphere soils respectively. RBF supply impacted on the microbial community diversity [phospholipid fatty acids, PLFA] and the activity of soil enzymes, such dehydrogenase [DH], alkaline phosphatase [AP] and urease [UR]. There were significant difference among the soil only containing crude oil [CK], W, C and S rhizosphere soils and RBF bio-augmentation soils. Moreover, the changes lh ere significantly distinct depended on crops species. It was concluded that the RBF is a valuable material for improving effect of remediation of TPH polluted soils