Efficacy of Solpawa Bioremediation Solution in the Removal of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons from Oil-Based Drill Cuttings

Abstract

Aim: two proprietary bioremediation products (Solpawa Soil Conditioner [SSC]-102X and Solpawa Soil Booster [SSB]-101X were jointly used to biotreat oil-based drill cuttings from drilling operations in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Study Design: The experimental design used was the completely randomized design (CRD). Methodology: the experimental setup consisted of 1 control reactor (labelled D1) and 5 treatment reactors (labelled D2 to D6), each containing drill cuttings, SSC, water, and SSB in the ratios of 5:0:0:0, 5:1:2:1, 5:1:4:1, 5:1:6:1, 5:1:8:1, 5:1:10:1, respectively. The setup was irrigated and tilled every three days interval for a period of 52 days. The fertilizer (N-P-K) value of the SSC and SSB as well as the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content of the drill cuttings were determined before the commencement of treatment. Systematic monitoring and evaluation of the treatment process was carried out. Results: At the end of treatment, results revealed that there was a significant drop in the initial TPH concentration of the drill cuttings (18,000mg/kg) by 85.9% on the average. The reactor with the 1:2 SSC dilution ratio (D2) outperformed the other reactors by reducing the TPH to 489.07mg/kg in 52 days, far less than the 1000mg/kg TPH risk-based screening level set by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). Conclusion: This demonstrates that the 1:2 SSC dilution ratio is most effective in the bioremediation of Nigerian oil-based drill cuttings.