Bioremediation of oil contaminated soil with

EM·1® in Okinawa

EM Research Organization, Inc.

Haruyuki Tomii
 1. Introduction
We have been developing bioremediation that is
suitable for Okinawa for oil-contaminated soil.
We are using EM to reduce the oil contamination in
the soil under laboratory and in a pilot scale experiment.
And onsite actual bioremediation program with EM
was carried out in several places.
This project is being conducted by the grant of
Okinawa Prefecture.
 1. Introduction
Actual status of soil remediation in Japan
Soil Contamination
Countermeasures Act
Up to Now From Now

Excavation and Onsite

Removal remediation

High cost, Bioremediation,

Opposition to relocate Chemical oxidation,
the contaminated soil Stabilization,
Soil washing, etc
 1. Introduction
Expectation for bioremediation by Okinawa

Okinawa Prefecture is seeking the soil remediation

technology suitable for Okinawa.

Okinawa has several features that,

 Okinawa is a subtropical climate only in Japan, and
the main soils are special clay soils.
 There are many US military bases and much
contaminated soil.
 Since tourism is the important industry for Okinawa,
therefore the eco-friendly technology is required.

They expected the soil purification technology that is

relatively low cost and to preserve the environment.
 1. Introduction
The development of material
In order to purify the oil contaminated soil, we had
developed a material which activity degrading bacteria.At
that time, in order to reduce the word costs, the material was
required to be effective in a single application.

We studied materials for activating the degrading

bacteria by EM and eco-friendly organic matter that can be
easily obtained in Okinawa.
 2 Laboratory scale experiments
 Objective
- We were subjected to decomposition test by applying the
EM and organic materials to diesel oil contaminated soil.
 Materials & Methods

- The polluted soil was prepared by mixing clay soil and

diesel oil. And applied only once at the beginning to be 5% of
AEM, or 2% of organic materials, or 2% of EM material
(organic material fermented by EM) to the soil by volume.
- Oil content analyzed with solvent extraction and infrared
absorption method.
- The oil residual rate was calculated a residual ratio of the
oil content at analyzed date considering 100% oil
concentration at day 0.
 1. Result - Lab Experiment-
120
110
oil residual rate (%)

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
0 7 14 21
control Activated EM Organic -1 (days)
Organic -2 EM material

EM material fermented organic material in the EM, the diesel

oil was degraded quickly.
 2. Pilot experiment
 Objective
- Prior to the bioremediation with EM Technology in the
actual pollution site, the effective EM Treatment was evaluated
in this pilot experiment using the simulated contaminated soil.

 Materials & Methods

- 400 liters of polluted soil was prepared by mixing clay
soil and 3 kinds of oil (kerosene, diesel and waste engine
oil /10,000mg/kg ea. ). And EM material was applied to
the soil.
- Oil content analyzed with solvent extraction and
infrared absorption method.
- The results are shown in the residual rate.
 Polluted by oil Mixing enough

Application of EM Keep in a greenhouse

 2. Result - Pilot Experiment-
100
90 Control
Residual ratio (%)
80
70 EMT
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 30 60 90 120 150
Time (days)
Kerosene : Change of residual ratio(%)
Result of the application of the EM, decrease in kerosene
was promoted significantly.
 2. Result -Pilot Experiment-
100
90
Residual ratio(%) 80
70
60
50
40
30
Control
20
10 EMT
0
0 30 60 90 120 150
days

Waste engine oil : Change of residual ratio(%)

Waste engine oil is hardly decomposed by microorganisms,
as a result of application of EM, decomposition was promoted
clearly.
 2. Result - Pilot Experiment-
100
90 Control
80 EMT
Residual ratio(%)

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 30 60 90 120 150
Time(days)

Diesel fuel : Change of residual ratio(%)

Result of the application of the EM, decrease in diesel fuel
was promoted clearly.
 3. Application in actual site
We had carried out the onsite actual
bioremediation with EM in the former Gas
Station and the site of scrap factory.

The former
Gas Station

The Site of
the scrap factory
 3. Application in actual site
- the site of GS -

The site was a gas station. the soil was contaminated

with low concentrations of oil. And, oil odor was also detected.
 3. Application in actual site
- the site of GS -
100
90
Residual ratio(%) Airation
80 backfilling
70 dump
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 14 28 42 56 70 84 98
Time(days)

As a result of using EM for the purification, oil content is

sufficiently reduced in all treatments. And oil odor was no
longer detected.
 3. Application in actual site
- the site of scrap factory -

The site was the former scrap factory, and the soil
was contaminated by waste oil at a high concentration and
the odor was so bad. We used EM for purification of the soil.
 3. Application in actual site
- the site of scrap factory -
7000 Treatment area-1
6000 Treatment area-2
Oil content (mg/kg)

Treatment area-3
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
0 14 28 42 56 70 84
(days)

After 3 months, oil content was reduced enough, and bad

odor was no longer felt, and benzene was not detected.
 4. Summary
 The application of EM material promoted degradation of
the oils in polluted soil. In pilot scale experiment, it especially
promoted decomposition of kerosene.

 We carried out the bioremediation in actual polluted site

and gotten good results.

 We are continuing the research and development of

bioremediation.
Thank you!