Mobilization of Pseudomonas putida in Kaolin Soil by Electrokinetic Bioremediation Technique

Abstract

Contaminated soils are due to several factors which are caused by the removal of toxins, waste from industrial activities, heavy metals from landfill and organic and inorganic waste from fertilizer used by farmers. This study aims to measure the mobilization of Pseudomonasputida cells through kaolin clay soil using elctrokinetic bioremediation technique. The electrokinetic is used to generate currents into the soil, thus migrating ions to opposite charge of electrodes. The Pseudomonas putida and distilled water was supplied into the anode and cathode reservoirs, respectively. The electrokinetic bioremediation testing was conducted for 5 days duration using 50 V of electric current. The bacterial counts of Pseudomonas sp. are enumerated high at 1.3x107 cfu/gww (near the anode), 5.0x106 cfu/gww (in the middle) and 8.0x106 cfu/gww (near the cathode). These results showed high survivability of Pseudomonas sp. until Day 5. It was demonstrated that the electrokinetic bioremediation technique can be used for Pseudomonasputida transportation in kaolin clay soil throughout the soil specimen and moving in same direction with the electroosmotic flow in electrokinetic bioremediation system.