Environmental organic geochemistry of sediments from Wadi Gaza and investigation of bioremediation of petroleum derivatives and herbicides by cyanobacterial mats under different experimental conditions

This thesis presents for the first time results of (i) an organic geochemical analysis of sediments from Wadi Gaza, and (ii) an investigation of the degradation potential of naturally occurring cyanobacterial mats originating from Wadi Gaza. In the Wadi Gaza sediments, the presence of pristane and phytane, an unresolved complex mixture (UCM), the UCM/n-alcane ratio, the low carbon preference index (CPI ca. 1), steranes and hopanes and the presence of the phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene and their alkylated homologues confirms the input of crude oil and petroleum derivatives. Wadi Gaza cyanobacterial mats degraded aromatic compounds (phenantrene and dibenzothiophene) faster than aliphatic ones (pristane and n-octadecane) in both laboratory and mesocosm experiments. An Egyptian crude oil was also degraded. More than 80% of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 60% of terbutryn were removed within 30 and 80 days, respectively. We conclude that the Wadi Gaza cyanobacterial mats have grown in a heavily polluted environment, and by that their capacity for bioremediation by degrading petroleum hydrocarbons and herbicides is strong.

Level thesis:degree_level

thesis.doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher

Universität Oldenburg

Year

2004

Author dc:creator

• Safi, Nimer Mohamed Deeb

• [Keine Schlagwörter von Autor/in vergeben.]

Repository record source_url

http://oops.uni-oldenburg.de/197

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oops.uni-oldenburg.de:197