A multidisciplinary three-step methodology is being developed to diagnose the extent and type of petroleum pollutants and resulting technological approaches to restore a contaminated site. At first, the site was delimitated and its zones identified by using remote sensors. An area of 307 ha considered of major importance to the national Mexican oil company, Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), was identified. 75% of total analyzed soil samples ranged between 10-50,000 ppm of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and 25% between 50,000 and 434,000 ppm. Aliphatic and asphaltene groups were predominant and technological alternatives were proposed. In a second phase the identification of native botanical and microbial capabilities to biodegrade pollutants was achieved. Three native botanical species were selected for greenhouse studies: Cyperus laxus showed low sensitivity to TPH resulting in higher seed germination efficiency and growth rate. Since microbial consortia isolated from C. laxus rhizosphere were able todegrade up to 70% of TPH in 30 days laboratory cultures, a phytoremediation-reforest alternative was finally proposed to PEMEX. In a third step, the construction of a pilot plant in situ is now in course wherein both treatability studies and reforest strategies are being developed.
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Research Article|
September 01 2000
Diagnostic and resulting approaches to restore petroleum-contaminated soil in a Mexican tropical swamp
M. Gallegos Martínez;
M. Gallegos Martínez
*Departamento de Hidrobiología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa (UAM-I). C. P. 09340 México D. F. Mexico
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A. Gómez Santos;
A. Gómez Santos
*Departamento de Hidrobiología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa (UAM-I). C. P. 09340 México D. F. Mexico
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L. González Cruz;
L. González Cruz
**Gerencia de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico. PEMEX-Refinación
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M.A. Montes de Oca García;
M.A. Montes de Oca García
***Gerencia de Control Ambiental y Sustentabilidad del Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo (IMP). C. P. 07730 México D. F. Mexico
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L. Yáñez Trujillo;
L. Yáñez Trujillo
*Departamento de Hidrobiología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa (UAM-I). C. P. 09340 México D. F. Mexico
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J.A. Zermeño Eguía Lis;
J.A. Zermeño Eguía Lis
*Departamento de Hidrobiología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Iztapalapa (UAM-I). C. P. 09340 México D. F. Mexico
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M. Gutiérrez-Rojas
M. Gutiérrez-Rojas
****Departamento de Biotecnología. UAM-I. C. P. 09340, México D. F. Mexico
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Water Sci Technol (2000) 42 (5-6): 377–384.
Citation
M. Gallegos Martínez, A. Gómez Santos, L. González Cruz, M.A. Montes de Oca García, L. Yáñez Trujillo, J.A. Zermeño Eguía Lis, M. Gutiérrez-Rojas; Diagnostic and resulting approaches to restore petroleum-contaminated soil in a Mexican tropical swamp. Water Sci Technol 1 September 2000; 42 (5-6): 377–384. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2000.0538
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