FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure generally relates to remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an improved method of remediation of a hydrocarbon contaminated soil using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Over the past decades world over processing, storage and transportation of crude oil and distillates has led to the introduction of significant quantities of hazardous material into the environment. Oil spills are a major menace to the environment as they severely damage the surrounding eco systems.
Petroleum industries generate enormous amount of oily sludge and its disposal through an environmental friendly process has been a big challenge worldwide. The oil industry has been continuously making efforts for various cost effective and environment friendly alternatives to traditional physicochemical sludge disposal routes. However, these options are expensive and environmentally unsafe. Furthermore there is a possibility of percolation of contaminants into ground water. With limited land-fill space availability, one of the best alternative options could be to perform bioremediation of the oily sludge.
Due to regulatory or legislative requirements, public pressure and side effects on humans there is a growing demand to clean up such environment messes. Oil refineries need a well planned oil spillage management strategy to manage oil spillages and there is a need to have more cost effective alternative traditional physical and chemical methods of remediation.
Several methods were tried in the past using the microbes to remediate the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. However, such methods suffers from several fold shortcomings namely, requirement of specific/customized nutrient media catering to nutritional requirements of the microbes, such as LB broth, requirement of utilization of consortium of microbes such that each of the microbes can work in unison to effect remediation of contaminated soil, long treatment time and the likes. These shortcomings, apart from others, have so far precluded industrial or large-scale application of such methods, limiting utility of such methods only to the labscale.
In view of above stated shortcomings, there exists a need for an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that can provide quick remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil while being scalable, economical and easy to execute. Need is also felt of a method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that can return the hydrocarbon contaminated soil to normalcy without jeopardizing the overall soil quality and/or disturbing its ecological balance.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Primary object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that is economical.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that is scalable.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that effects quick remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that can effect quick remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil that returns the hydrocarbon contaminated soil to normalcy without jeopardizing the overall soil quality and/or disturbing its ecological balance.
Other objects of the present disclosure will be apparent from the description of the invention herein below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure is on a premise of surprising observation made by inventors of the present application that treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated soil with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung effects quick remediation thereof without jeopardizing the overall soil quality. Fertility of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil so remediated using the combination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poultry manure and/or cow dung can be further improved by phytoremediation, wherein growing one or more crops on the remediated soil renders the soil useful for agriculture purposes by improving the overall soil structure, particularly, by increasing soil aggregates and stability thereof while reducing the slaking. Accordingly, the inventors of the present disclosure, using the method of the present disclosure, could effect complete remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil on a large scale (to the tune of 8500 m3). Further, in stark contrast to known methods, method of the present disclosure does not require addition of other microbes and/or nutrients such as LB broth that are quite expensive, making the method of present disclosure scalable and industrially applicable.
Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of remediation of a hydrocarbon contaminated soil, the method including the steps of: adding a predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil; tilling the soil to effect uniform mixing of the soil with the poultry manure and/or the cow dung; and watering the soil at a regular interval to effect remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil is excavated and spread over an impervious film before the step of adding the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil spread over the impervious film is allowed to dry in sunlight before the step of adding the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of phytoremediation. In an embodiment, the phytoremediation includes remediation of the remediated soil by growing one or more crops thereon. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon is any or a combination of diesel, gasoline, kerosene, crude oil and oil sludge. In an embodiment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mixed with the hydrocarbon contaminated soil in an amount ranging from about 0.2 to 3% by weight of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mixed with the hydrocarbon contaminated soil in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to 1% by weight of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the method of the present invention effects remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil to a tune of 99.5% within a time-span of 40 days.
In an embodiment, the method includes addition of the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the cow dung are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to 10. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the cow dung are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.75 to 3. In an embodiment, the method comprises addition of the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of poultry manure to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to 10. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.75 to 3. In an embodiment, the method comprises addition of the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the predetermined amount of cow dung and the predetermined amount of poultry manure to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil, the cow dung and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio of 1:1:1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more comprehensively with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of the ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in disclosing the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions may be included to better appreciate the teaching of the present invention.
As used in the description herein, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “include”, “includes”, and “including” are meant to be non-limiting, i.e., other steps and other ingredients which do not affect the end of result can be added. The above terms encompass the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.
As used herein, the terms “composition” “blend,” or “mixture” are all intended to be used interchangeably.
The terms “weight percent,” “wt-%,” “percent by weight,” “% by weight,” and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100. It is understood that, as used here, “percent,” “%,” and the like are intended to be synonymous with “weight percent,” “wt-%,” etc.
The present disclosure generally relates to remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an improved method of remediation of a hydrocarbon contaminated soil using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung.
The present disclosure is on a premise of surprising observation made by inventors of the present application that treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated soil with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung effects quick remediation thereof without jeopardizing the overall soil quality. Fertility of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil so remediated using the combination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poultry manure and/or cow dung can be further improved by phytoremediation, wherein growing one or more crops on the remediated soil renders the soil useful for agriculture purposes by improving the overall soil structure, particularly, by increasing soil aggregates and stability thereof while reducing the slaking. Accordingly, the inventors of the present disclosure, using the method of the present disclosure, could effect complete remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil on a large scale (to the tune of 8500 m3). Further, in stark contrast to known methods, method of the present disclosure does not require addition of other microbes or nutrients such as LB broth that are quite expensive, making the method of present disclosure scalable and industrially applicable.
Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of remediation of a hydrocarbon contaminated soil, the method including the steps of: adding a predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil; tilling the soil to effect uniform mixing of the soil with the poultry manure and/or the cow dung; and watering the soil at a regular interval to effect remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil is excavated and spread over an impervious film before the step of adding the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil spread over the impervious film is allowed to dry in sunlight before the step of adding the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of phytoremediation. In an embodiment, the phytoremediation includes remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil by growing one or more crops thereon. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon is any or a combination of diesel, gasoline, kerosene, crude oil and oil sludge. In an embodiment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mixed with the hydrocarbon contaminated soil in an amount ranging from about 0.2 to 3% by weight of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mixed with the hydrocarbon contaminated soil in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to 1% by weight of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the method of the present invention effects remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil to a tune of 99.5% within a time-span of 40 days.
In an embodiment, the method includes addition of the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the cow dung are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to 10. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the cow dung are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.75 to 3. In an embodiment, the method comprises addition of the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of poultry manure to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to 10. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.75 to 3. In an embodiment, the method comprises addition of the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the predetermined amount of cow dung and the predetermined amount of poultry manure to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. In an embodiment, the hydrocarbon contaminated soil, the cow dung and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio of 1:1:1.
In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is treated with the method of the present disclosure. The diesel contaminated soil is excavated and spread/placed on impervious film (e.g. tarpaulin sheets) so as to prevent leaching of contents thereof. The diesel contaminated soil placed of the impervious film is allowed to dry in sunlight for 5-7 days as to evaporate the vaporizable components therefrom. The dried diesel contaminated soil can then, optionally, be subjected to oil content analysis. The diesel contaminated soil is then mixed with a pre-determined quantity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Preferably, the amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranges from about 0.2 to about 3% by weight of the diesel contaminated soil. Most preferably, the amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranges from about 0.5 to about 1% by weight of the diesel contaminated soil. A person skilled in the pertinent art would appreciate that the amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to be mixed with the diesel contaminated soil depends on diesel content of the soil to be remediated.
Cow dung is a commonly and economically available waste product that mainly contains several microbes such as Bacillus safensis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus, Bacillus licheniformis, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Bacteroides sp, Alistipes sp, Paludibacter sp, Clostridium sp, Ruminococcus sp, Anaerovorax sp, Acinetobacter sp, Rheinheimera sp, Stenotrophomonas sp, Rhodobacter sp. and certain fungees, one or more of which may aid in remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Further, cow dung includes several nutrients (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but not limited thereto) that can cater to the nutritional requirements of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Accordingly, addition/mixing of appropriate amount of Cow dung with Pseudomonas aeruginosa can preclude the requirement of addition of specific/customized nutritional media such as LB broth, while supplying other microbes that can assist in remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further, addition of cow dung effects increase in pH of the soil, ranging from about 6.3 to about 7.4, which is optimal for growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other microbes that effects degradation of the hydrocarbon, remediating the contaminated soil. Preferably, the cow dung used in the method of present disclosure exhibits the physicochemical properties as illustrated in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Physicochemical Properties of Cow Dung
Parameter Value
pH 7.0
Nitrogen (%) 0.54
Phosphorus (mg/kg) 622.34
Potassium (mg/kg) 77.80
Organic C (%) 8.97
Moisture (%) 16.20
C : N 16:1

Poultry manure is another commonly and economically available waste product that contains several microbes such as bacteria of Pseudomonas, Serratia, Flavobacterium, Bacillus, Micrococcus and Klebsiella spp. and fungi such as those of Candida, Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor, Cladosporium and Aspergillus species, one or more of which may aid in remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Poultry manure typically includes organic material and small percentage of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Accordingly, addition/mixing of appropriate amount of poultry manure with Pseudomonas aeruginosa can preclude the requirement of addition of specific/customized nutritional media such as LB broth, while supplying other microbes that can assist in remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further, addition of poultry manure, and particularly, chicken manure, effects increase in pH of the soil ranging from about 6.3 to about 7.4, which is optimal for growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other microbes that effects degradation of the hydrocarbon, remediating the contaminated soil. Preferably, the poultry manure used in the method of present disclosure is chicken manure that exhibits the physicochemical properties as illustrated in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Physicochemical Properties of Cow Dung
Parameter Value
pH 7.4
Nitrogen (%) 4.0
Phosphorus (mg/kg) 6.0
Potassium mg/kg) 4.0
Organic C (%) 7.00
Moisture (%) 14.00
C : N 12:1

In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is further mixed with any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung. In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is mixed with poultry manure. In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is mixed with poultry manure in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to about 10. Preferably, the weight ratio of diesel contaminated soil to poultry manure ranges from about 0.5 to about 5. Most preferably, the weight ratio of diesel contaminated soil to poultry manure ranges from about 0.75 to about 3. In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is mixed with cow dung. In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is mixed with cow dung in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to about 10. Preferably, the weight ratio of diesel contaminated soil to cow dung ranges from about 0.5 to about 5. Most preferably, the weight ratio of diesel contaminated soil to cow dung ranges from about 0.75 to about 3. In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is mixed with poultry manure and cow dung. In an embodiment, the diesel contaminated soil is mixed with poultry manure and cow dung in a weight ratio of about 1:1:1. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that any other amount of poultry manure and/or cow dung can be mixed with the contaminated soil depending on the soil type, fertility, nutrient content thereof and the likes without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
The contaminated soil mixed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poultry manure and/or cow dung is tilled and watered at a regular interval as to allow uniform mixing thereof and to allow growth Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Optionally, one or more nutrients (such as potassium nitrate, but not limited thereto) can be added to the soil to further expedite the remediation of the contaminated soil and/or to improve the fertility of the soil. Periodic sampling of the soil can be done to check to hydrocarbon (diesel) content of the soil. In an embodiment, at the end of 40 days, the diesel contaminated soil is substantially remediated. In an embodiment, at the end of 40 days, the diesel content of the soil reduces below 95% of the original diesel content, preferably, the diesel content of the soil reduces below 97% and most preferably, the diesel content of the soil reduces below 99.5%. Post treatment, the remediated soil can be transferred to agricultural area/farm.
In an embodiment, the remediated soil is further subjected to phytoremediation to improve soil quality and fertility. In an embodiment, any or a combination of crop selected from onion, maize, mustard and sunflower are grown on the remediated soil to improve soil quality. Particularly, the phytoremediation effects remediation of the residual hydrocarbon contaminants while increasing the soil aggregates and stability thereof and alleviating slaking. However, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the any other crop can be grown on the remediated soil to effect phytoremediation without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
EXAMPLE
Example 1 - Treatment of diesel contaminated soil (oil spillage over a area of about 8500 m3)
A soil contaminated with diesel due to spillage thereof at a site near Nasik in the Maharashtra state was remediated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poultry manure. Firstly, the diesel contaminated soil was excavated (upto the depth of about 4 inches) and spread over an impervious film of HDPE. Initial testing of the diesel contaminated soil revealed that the soil had a hydrocarbon content of about 5.54 wt%. The contaminated soil spread over the impervious film was then allowed to dry in sunlight for 7 days to remove the vaporizable components thereof. Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an amount of about 0.5% by weight of the contaminated soil to be remediated was then mixed with the contaminated soil. Poultry manure in an amount of about 1% by weight of the contaminated soil was then mixed with the contaminated soil. Tilling of the soil was carried out to ensure uniform mixing of soil with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poultry manure. After uniform mixing of the soil, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poultry manure, watering was done. Tilling and watering was done at every 7 days with addition of potassium nitrate in an amount of about 0.5 wt% to ensure growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Monitoring of the hydrocarbon content of soil was done every 7 days. At the end of 38 days, the hydrocarbon content of the soil was substantially reduced with visible change in the color of the soil. Analysis of hydrocarbon content of the soil revealed that the hydrocarbon content was about 0.47 wt% i.e. within the permissible limits as prescribed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The remediated soil was tested for various soil quality parameters namely, moisture content, pH, water holding capacity, soil aggregate level, soil aggregate stability, slaking, organic content and inorganic content. The remediated soil was then transferred back to the farm and subjected to phytoremediation. Onion crop was sowed on the remediated soil and reaped subsequently. The soil was again tested for the hydrocarbon content thereof vis-à-vis testing thereof for soil quality parameters namely, moisture content, pH, water holding capacity, soil aggregate level, soil aggregate stability, slaking, organic content and inorganic content. It could be noted that the phytoremediation significantly improved the soil quality parameters, particularly, improvement in the soil aggregate level and soil aggregate stability was observed while reduction in slaking. Phytoremediation further reduced the hydrocarbon content to less than 0.1 wt% from the initial 5.54 wt%.
[00038] Example 2 - Treatment of crude oil contaminated soil (oil spillage over a area of about 900 m3)
[00039] A soil contaminated with crude oil due to spillage thereof at a site near Gurgaon in the Haryana state was remediated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and cow dung. Firstly, the contaminated soil was excavated (upto the depth of about 5 inches) and spread over a thick tarpaulin film. Initial testing of the diesel contaminated soil revealed that the soil had a hydrocarbon content of about 8.2 wt%. The contaminated soil spread over the tarpaulin was then allowed to dry in sunlight for 7 days to remove the vaporizable components thereof. Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an amount of about 0.6% by weight of the contaminated soil to be remediated was then mixed with the contaminated soil. Cow dung in an amount of about 1.1% by weight of the contaminated soil was then mixed with the contaminated soil. Tilling of the soil was carried out to ensure uniform mixing of soil with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and cow dung. After uniform mixing of the soil, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and cow dung, watering was done. Tilling and watering was done at every 7 days with addition of potassium nitrate in an amount of about 0.7 wt% to ensure growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Monitoring of the hydrocarbon content of soil was done every 7 days. At the end of 40 days, the hydrocarbon content of the soil was substantially reduced with visible change in the color of the soil. Analysis of hydrocarbon content of the soil revealed that the hydrocarbon content was about 0.48 wt% i.e. within the permissible limits as prescribed by the Pollution Control Board (PCB). The remediated soil was tested for various soil quality parameters namely, moisture content, pH, water holding capacity, soil aggregate level, soil aggregate stability, slaking, organic content and inorganic content. The remediated soil was then transferred back to the farm and subjected to phytoremediation. Maize crop was sowed on the remediated soil and reaped subsequently. The soil was again tested for the hydrocarbon content thereof vis-à-vis testing thereof for soil quality parameters namely, moisture content, pH, water holding capacity, soil aggregate level, soil aggregate stability, slaking, organic content and inorganic content. It could be noted that the phytoremediation significantly improved the soil quality parameters, particularly, improvement in the soil aggregate level and soil aggregate stability was observed while reducing the hydrocarbon content to less than 0.2 wt% from the initial 8.2 wt%.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
The present disclosure provides an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that is economical.
The present disclosure provides an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that is scalable.
[00043] The present disclosure provides an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that effects quick remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
The present disclosure provides an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that does not require of utilization of consortium of microbes.
The present disclosure provides an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that does not require specific/customized nutrient media.
The present disclosure provides an improved method of remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated soil that can effect quick remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil that returns the hydrocarbon contaminated soil to normalcy without jeopardizing the overall soil quality and/or disturbing its ecological balance.

CLAIMS:
1. A method of remediation of a hydrocarbon contaminated soil, the method comprising the steps of:
adding a predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil;
tilling the soil to effect uniform mixing of the soil with any or a combination of the poultry manure and the cow dung; and
watering the soil at pre-determined intervals to effect remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon contaminated soil is excavated and spread over an impervious film before the step of adding the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hydrocarbon contaminated soil spread over the impervious film is allowed to dry in sunlight before the step of adding the predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the predetermined amount of any or a combination of poultry manure and cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of phytoremediation.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phytoremediation comprises remediation of the remediated soil by growing one or more crops thereon.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrocarbon is any or a combination of diesel, gasoline, kerosene, crude oil and oil sludge.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mixed with the hydrocarbon contaminated soil in an amount ranging from about 0.2 to 3% by weight of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mixed with the hydrocarbon contaminated soil in an amount ranging from about 0.5 to 1% by weight of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method effects remediation of the hydrocarbon contaminated soil to a tune of 99.5% within a time-span of 40 days.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises adding a predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a predetermined amount of poultry manure to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to 10.
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.75 to 3.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises adding a predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a predetermined amount of cow dung to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the cow dung are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.1 to 10.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hydrocarbon contaminated soil and the cow dung are mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 0.75 to 3.
16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises adding a predetermined amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a predetermined amount of cow dung and a predetermined amount of poultry manure to the hydrocarbon contaminated soil.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the hydrocarbon contaminated soil, the cow dung and the poultry manure are mixed in a weight ratio of 1:1:1.