Enhanced microbial degradation of benzo[a]pyrene by chemical oxidation

Chemical oxidation and microbial degradation are promising treatments to remediate soils contaminated with persistent organic pollutants. Moderate pre-oxidation is able to enhance the subsequent bioremediation of organic pollutants in soil. In this study, the effects of pre-oxidation on the subsequent biodegradation of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were evaluated. The tested oxidants included potassium permanganate (PP) and iron-activated sodium persulfate (PS) at the concentration of 1-40 mmol L-1. The results showed that 20 mmol L-1 PS and 10 mmol L-1 PP treatments had the highest degradation efficiency of BaP in soil, up to 98.7% and 84.2%, without inhibiting subsequent microbial degradation. 10-20 mmol L-1 of the two oxidants significantly promoted viability of microbial community. Especially, PS facilitated the occurrence of more PAHs-degrading microorganisms. The expression of PAH-degradation gene in PS treatment was significantly higher than that in PP treatment (P < 0.05), leading to 12.0-18.4% higher degradation efficiencies of BaP. In general, proper oxidants of moderate dosages were able to promote microbial bioremediation of persistent organic pollutants in soil.