Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Biodegradation in Contaminated Soils Using Rhodococcus sp, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens

This project addresses the recurring issue of soil contamination by hydrocarbon spills in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where conventional physicochemical techniques are often inefficient and generate secondary waste. The main objective is to evaluate the bioremediation capacity of three biological agents: the bacterium Rhodococcus sp, the fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, and the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens. The methodology is structured into field and laboratory phases. In the field phase, samples of contaminated soil and the biological organisms will be collected in the Amazonian region using GPS georeferencing. In the laboratory, initial and final physicochemical analyses of the soil will be conducted, including the quantification of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH). The efficacy of the biological treatments will be assessed through inoculation, purification, and identification of the microorganisms (Gram staining, microculturing). A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) will be employed with five treatments combining contaminated soil with the different inoculants. The results aim to validate the use of these biological techniques as an ecological and effective alternative for the recovery of affected soils, benefiting both local communities and oil companies.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To evaluate the efficacy of the microorganisms Rhodococcus sp, Pleurotus osteatrus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens in the bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, aiming to demonstrate the viability of environmentally friendly biological techniques.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Bioprospecting of secondary metabolites