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Weathered Hydrocarbon Biotransformation: Implications for Bioremediation, Analysis, and Risk Assessment

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Consequences of Microbial Interactions with Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids: Biodegradation and Bioremediation

Part of the book series: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology ((HHLM))

Abstract

Weathered petroleum hydrocarbons are highly complex and important soil contaminants, which, despite 40 years of petroleum research, are still not sufficiently understood or appropriately characterized for informing contaminated land risk assessments. Improved insights into biotransformation of these contaminants and their residual toxicity are essential for improving risk assessments, bioremediation strategies, and effective regeneration of previously contaminated land. The remediation of land contaminated with weathered hydrocarbons has long been limited by inappropriate analytical methodology, the absence from risk assessment frameworks, reduced stakeholder confidence, lack of ecotoxicological analysis in risk assessments, and a distinct paucity of information regarding weathered hydrocarbon toxicity, distribution, transport, and availability in the environment. Recent research has resulted in the development of a robust analytical method for identification of hydrocarbon residues (weathered hydrocarbons) which are the principal source of the organic carcinogens or suspected carcinogens that drive quantitative risk assessment (e.g., benzo[a]pyrene), development of a tool kit for contaminated sites incorporating ecotoxicological consideration, and an improved understanding of weathered hydrocarbon toxicity and biotransformation chemistry. However, knowledge gaps still remain, and additional implications for bioremediation practitioners have been identified concerning remedial methodology at previously remediated sites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Water, Energy and Environment, Cranfield University, MK430AL, Cranfield, UK

    S. Cipullo, K. J. Brassington, S. J. T. Pollard & F. Coulon

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  1. S. Cipullo
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  2. K. J. Brassington
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  3. S. J. T. Pollard
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  4. F. Coulon
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Coulon .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cape Coral, Florida, USA

    Robert Steffan

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Cipullo, S., Brassington, K.J., Pollard, S.J.T., Coulon, F. (2016). Weathered Hydrocarbon Biotransformation: Implications for Bioremediation, Analysis, and Risk Assessment. In: Steffan, R. (eds) Consequences of Microbial Interactions with Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids: Biodegradation and Bioremediation. Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44535-9_4-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44535-9_4-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-44535-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-44535-9

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