Advances in production and application of biochar from lignocellulosic feedstocks for remediation of environmental pollutants.

Thermochemical processing of biomass results in a producing char, a typical by-product. The char can be termed as biochar when specifically applied as a soil fertility enhancement. Biochar, when utilized efficiently, is basic for enhancing financial viability and also to maintain ecosystem. The properties of carbonized biomass rely upon raw materials (feedstock) and procedure conditions. Biochar shows an incredible potential to effectively handle water contaminants taking into consideration the wide accessibility of feedstock, suitable physical/chemical surface properties and low-cost. Pyrolysis technology for converting lignocellulosic biomass into biochar has emerged as a frontier research domain for the removal of pollutants. This review focused on production of biochar from various sources of lignocellulosic biomass (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) and its application in various fields such as agriculture, wastewater treatment process. Biochar is a significant resource however, its application require further examination of its properties and structure and techniques to alter those factors.

Modelling on the removal of toxic metal ions from aquatic system by different surface modified Cassia fistula seeds.

The present work demonstrates the preparation of Cassia fistula seeds for producing activated carbon through physical and chemical treatment for the extrusion of Ni(II) ion contaminated aqueous solution. The readily prepared sorbents were characterized using SEM-EDX and FTIR. The surface morphology of sorbents possesses 1 µm mean particle size with uniform size distribution. Furthermore, optimization of operating parameters such as the pH, initial Ni(II) ion concentration, adsorbent dose, time and temperature were investigated. In isotherm and kinetic aspect, Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of sulphuric acid modified Cassia fistula seeds was 182.2 (mg/g); obeyed Pseudo first order kinetic model. The Ni(II) ion adsorption system undergoes chemisorption, exothermic, feasible and spontaneous. The excellent properties of the Cassia fistula seeds can be alternate for commercial activated carbon.

Sequestration and utilization of carbon dioxide by chemical and biological methods for biofuels and biomaterials by chemoautotrophs: Opportunities and challenges.

To meet the CO2 emission reduction targets, carbon dioxide capture and utilization (CCU) comes as an evolve technology. CCU concept is turning into a feedstock and technologies have been developed for transformation of CO2 into useful organic products. At industrial scale, utilization of CO2 as raw material is not much significant as compare to its abundance. Mechanisms in nature have evolved for carbon concentration, fixation and utilization. Assimilation and subsequent conversion of CO2 into complex molecules are performed by the photosynthetic and chemolithotrophic organisms. In the last three decades, substantial research is carry out to discover chemical and biological conversion of CO2 in various synthetic and biological materials, such as carboxylic acids, esters, lactones, polymer biodiesel, bio-plastics, bio-alcohols, exopolysaccharides. This review presents an over view of catalytic transformation of CO2 into biofuels and biomaterials by chemical and biological methods.

Treatment of dye wastewater using an ultrasonic aided nanoparticle stacked activated carbon: Kinetic and isotherm modelling.

The present work explains the biosorption of malachite green dye from aquatic systems by nano zero valent iron stacked activated carbon (NZVI-AC), which was prepared by dual surface modification strategy. NZVI-AC was characterized by using FTIR, SEM-EDX, XRD and TGA. NZVI-AC exhibited efficient performance in dye biosorption properties. Experimental variables such as time, pH, dye concentration, temperature and biosorbent dosage influenced Langmuir adsorption capacity of 187.3 mg/g. The present biosorption system was best described by pseudo-first order kinetics. The dye was completely knocked out of the solution within 60 min at equilibrium. The thermodynamic behaviour of NZVI-AC was exothermic, feasible and spontaneous. Experimental data was engaged to validate new solid-liquid phase equilibrium model, showing the average absolute relative deviation 7.72%. Hence the procedure was non-toxic, potential to retain biosorbent from the solution, applicable for multiple cycles. In context, NZVI-AC can be recommended for the treatment of dyes from industrial effluent.

Comprehensive review on toxicity of persistent organic pollutants from petroleum refinery waste and their degradation by microorganisms.

Control and prevention of environmental pollution has become a worldwide issue of concern. Aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene (BTEX) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), released into the environment mainly by exploration activities of petroleum industry. These pollutants are mutagenic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic and teratogenic to lower and higher forms of life i.e. microorganisms to humans. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is carcinogenic in laboratory animals and humans. Aromatic hydrocarbons are highly lipid soluble and thus readily absorbed from environment in gastrointestinal tract of mammals. Treatment and remediation of petroleum refinery waste have been shown either to reduce or to eliminate genotoxicity of these pollutants. Bioremediation by using microorganisms to treat this waste is showing a promising technology as it is safe and cost-effective option among various technologies tested. The main aim of this review is to provide contemporary information on variety of aromatic hydrocarbons present in crude oil (with special focus to mono- and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons), exposure routes and their adverse effects on humans. This review also provides a synthesis of scientific literature on remediation technologies available for aromatic hydrocarbons, knowledge gaps and future research developments in this field.

Microbial dynamics in petroleum oilfields and their relationship with physiological properties of petroleum oil reservoirs.

Petroleum is produced by thermal decay of buried organic material over millions of years. Petroleum oilfield ecosystems represent resource of reduced carbon which favours microbial growth. Therefore, it is obvious that many microorganisms have adapted to harsh environmental conditions of these ecosystems specifically temperature, oxygen availability and pressure. Knowledge of microorganisms present in ecosystems of petroleum oil reservoirs; their physiological and biological properties help in successful exploration of petroleum. Understanding microbiology of petroleum oilfield(s) can be used to enhance oil recovery, as microorganisms in oil reservoirs produce various metabolites viz. gases, acids, solvents, biopolymers and biosurfactants. The aim of this review is to discuss characteristics of petroleum oil reservoirs. This review also provides an updated literature on microbial ecology of these extreme ecosystems including microbial origin as well as various types of microorganisms such as methanogens; iron, nitrate and sulphate reducing bacteria, and fermentative microbes present in petroleum oilfield ecosystems.

Critical review on biosurfactant analysis, purification and characterization using rhamnolipid as a model biosurfactant.

Surfactants are one of the most versatile group of chemicals used in various industrial processes. Their market is competitive, and manufacturers will have to expand surfactant production in ecofriendly and cost effective manner. Increasing interest in biosurfactants led to an intense research for environment friendly and cost-efficient production of biosurfactant. Structural diversity and functional properties of biosurfactants make them an attractive group of compounds for potential use in wide variety of industrial, environmental and biotechnological applications. Screening methods make task easier to obtain potential biosurfactant producing microorganisms. Variety of purification and analytical methods are available for biosurfactant structural characterization. This review aims to compile information on types and properties of biosurfactant, microbial screening methods as well as biosynthesis, extraction, purification and structural characterization of biosurfactant using rhamnolipid as a model biosurfactant. It also describes factors affecting rhamnolipid production. It gives an overview of oil recovery using biosurfactant from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons.

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants are recalcitrant compounds and are classified as priority pollutants. Cleaning up of these pollutants from environment is a real world problem. Bioremediation has become a major method employed in restoration of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted environments that makes use of natural microbial biodegradation activity. Petroleum hydrocarbons utilizing microorganisms are ubiquitously distributed in environment. They naturally biodegrade pollutants and thereby remove them from the environment. Removal of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants from environment by applying oleophilic microorganisms (individual isolate/consortium of microorganisms) is ecofriendly and economic. Microbial biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants employs the enzyme catalytic activities of microorganisms to enhance the rate of pollutants degradation. This article provides an overview about bioremediation for petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants. It also includes explanation about hydrocarbon metabolism in microorganisms with a special focus on new insights obtained during past couple of years.

Biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by oleophilic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 5514.

The aim of this work was to study the potential of an indigenous strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 5514, isolated from petroleum-polluted soil, for the biodegradation of crude petroleum oil. The isolate completely decolorized 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol in 120h when grown at (37±1°C), indicating its hydrocarbon utilizing nature. Ex situ biodegradation study was performed to find out quantitative utilization and biodegradation of paraffin(s) present in crude oil. When the culture was grown in Bushnell-Hass medium containing crude oil (3%,v/v) at 37°C, 180rpm for 60days, the viscosity of the oil was reduced from 1883cp to 1002cp. Gravimetric and gas chromatographic analysis showed 61.03% and 60.63% of biodegradation of C8-C36+ hydrocarbons, respectively. These results indicated that the isolate has potential to be used for ex-situ and in-situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon pollutants and could have promising applications in petrochemical industry.

Carbon spectrum utilization by an indigenous strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 5514: Production, characterization and surface active properties of biosurfactant.

The present research work was undertaken with a mandate to study carbon spectrum utilization and structural characterization of biosurfactant produced by indigenous Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 5514, which showed unique properties to utilize a large number of carbon sources effectively for production of biosurfactant, although glucose was the best carbon substrate. In Bushnell-Hass medium supplemented with glucose (1%, w/v), 3.178±0.071g/l biosurfactant was produced by this isolate in 96h. The biosurfactant produced showed surface tension and emulsification activity values from 29.14±0.05 to 62.29±0.13mN/m and 88.50±1.96 to 15.40±0.91%, respectively. Toluene showed highest emulsification activity followed by kerosene. However, kerosene exhibited emulsion stability for 30days. Biosurfactant was characterized as a mixture of di-rhamnolipid (Rha-Rha-C10-C14:1) and mono-rhamnolipid (Rha-C8-C10) by FTIR, ESI-MS and LC-MS techniques. High biosurfactant yield opens up doors for the isolate to find utility in various industries.

Core Flood study for enhanced oil recovery through ex-situ bioaugmentation with thermo- and halo-tolerant rhamnolipid produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIM 5514.

The aim of this work was to study the Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) employing core field model ex-situ bioaugmenting a thermo- and halo-tolerant rhamnolipid produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) revealed that the biosurfactant produced was rhamnolipid type. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance analysis showed that the purified rhamnolipids comprised two principal rhamnolipid homologues, i.e., Rha-Rha-C10-C14:1 and Rha-C8-C10. The rhamnolipid was stable under wide range of temperature (4°C, 30-100°C), pH (2.0-10.0) and NaCl concentration (0-18%, w/v). Core Flood model was designed for oil recovery operations using rhamnolipid. The oil recovery enhancement over Residual Oil Saturation was 8.82% through ex-situ bioaugmentation with rhamnolipid. The thermal stability of rhamnolipid shows promising scope for its application at conditions where high temperatures prevail in oil recovery processes, whereas its halo-tolerant nature increases its application in marine environment.