BIODEGRADATION of used engine oil using organic wastes

Abstract
By: Muhamad Shahkir Bin Ahmad Supervised by : Mdm Nik Ida Mardiana Bt Nik Pa

Results/ Discussions

Used engine oil commonly can be categorized as hazardous substances. The increase of transportation causes the consumption of the used engine oil increase. Composting method is used to treat used engine oil.

Introduction
Used motor oil contains metals and heavy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that could contribute to chronic hazards including mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the potential of maize leave and sugarcane bagasse to degrade engine oil in soil. Analysis : pH, temperature, moisture content, enumeration of bacteria, heavy metal and rate of biodegradation.

Methodology
pH - pH meter Temperature thermometer Moisture content moisture analyzer Heavy metal AAS Enumeration of bacteria visible colonies count Rate of biodegradation first order kinetic reaction

Aeration - Most biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon is aerobic, since hydrocarbon oxidation processes generally require oxygenases Organic matter soil - Organic matter is generally an amorphous organic residual in soils, which, when present in sufficient amounts, has a beneficial effect on the physical and chemical properties of the soil Nutrients - Microbes gain energy through nutrients obtain in the soil pH - Biological activity in the soil is greatly affected by the pH through the availability of nutrients and toxicants and the tolerance of organisms to pH variations. Temperature - the temperature will increase the rate of degradation of organic compounds in soil Moisture content - Extremes of very wet or very dry soil moisture markedly reduce waste biodegradation rates. Heavy metals - Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu is below the limit of acceptance.

Conclusion
The results obtain had met the objectives of the experiment. It can be conclude that there are biodegradation process occur for all the samples. The highest rate of biodegradation process among the samples are soil B which at rate -0.019 then followed by soil C; -0.016 and soil A -0.005 s.

Reference
Nathan Ford. (1999). Bioremediation. [online]. [Accessed 12-10-2012] available from world wide web : http://ce540.groups.et.byu.net/syllabus/termpaper/1999-W/ford.pdf