Free and Immobilized Microbial Culture–Mediated Crude Oil Degradation and Microbial Diversity Changes Through Taxonomic and Functional Markers in a Sandy Loam Soil

Crude oil contamination of soil and water resources is a widespread issue. The present study evaluated the degradation aliphatic hydrocarbons (C 11 –C 36 ) in crude by 17 bacteria isolated from oil–contaminated soil. results suggested that Pseudomonas sp. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were best hydrocarbon-degrading presence surfactant Tween-80 (0.1% w/v). Based on investigation previous study, + B. fungus Aspergillus sydowii identified as degraders immobilized alginate–bentonite beads, guargum–nanobenonite dispersible granules (WDGs), carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC)–bentonite composite. Sandy loam was fortified with 1, 2, 5% oil, total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) efficiency free cultures bio-formulations sandy soils. Compared to half-life (t 1/2 69.7 days control (1% oil), A. degraded TPH t 10.8 19.4 days, respectively. Increasing content slowed down degradation, soils inoculated 72.9, 14.7, 22.2 (2%) 87.0, 23.4, 30.8 (5%), Supplementing ammonium sulfate (1%) enhanced –10 days) –12.7 days). All three effective degrading (1%), 10.7–11.9 ( 14–20.2 at par cultures. Microbial diversity analysis based taxonomic markers functional bioaugmentation process helped keep active stage restored original microbial population some extent. concluded oil–degrading microbes can be exploited for its contaminated environment.