Characterization of Potential Paraffin Wax Removing Bacteria for Sustainable Biotechnological Application

Abstract

The presence of paraffin wax precipitation and deposition in tubing surfaces during production is one of the all-encompassing nuisances in oil and gas industry operations worldwide and it causes major production problems. The study aimed at acquiring novel insights into the bacterial community diversity capable of utilizing paraffin wax. Samples were collected from crude oil-polluted site in Gio Community, Tai Local Government Area, Niger Delta, Nigeria at depth of 0-0.5m (surface polluted soil [SPS]), 1m (sub surface polluted soil [SPSS]). GPS coordinate points for the North, South, East and West were N40 41′ 39″; N40 41′ 38″; N40 41′ 38″ and N40 41′ 37″ for latitudes respectively. Longitudes for the coordinates were E70 13′ 49″; E70 13′54″; E70 13′ 53″ and E70 13′ 54″ for North, respectively and unpolluted soil (UPS) taken 80m away from polluted site as control. All samples were transported to the laboratory within 6h at 4°C for analyses. Biodegradation screening was carried out using 2, 6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP) (redox potential +0.217 V) indicator to evaluate the biodegradation of hexadecane, paraffin oil and crude oil by axenic cultures of the bacteria isolated. GC-FID analysis for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were 22,146.65ppm for (surface polluted soil [SPS]), 14,087.80ppm (sub surface [SPSS]) and control soil (UPS) 479.67ppm respectively. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were 12,209.3ppm for SPS, 3,248.75ppm for SPSS and 22.72ppm for UPS. Total cultivable hydrocarbon utilizing bacterial count (TCHUB) for SPS, SPSS and UPS were 8.4 × 105cfu/g, 8.0 × 105cfu/g and 3.96 × 104cfu/g respectively. Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus spp., Acinetobacter sp. and Serratia sp. demonstrated higher biodegradability of paraffin wax than other 62 TCHUB isolated. These bacteria may probably represent an alternative green method for scale removal in the oil and gas sector.