The Geolex biogeosorbent: practical application of technologies

The oil and gas industry plays a key role in the Russian economy. However, its risks of environmental impact are among the highest in modern production industries. The need for the fastest recovery of territories requires a prompt elimination of consequences of soil pollution with oil. This might be achieved by an extensive complex of technologies, including biotechnological product application. This study examined contaminated soils from experimental industrial sites of the Komi Republic, Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District, Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District. Practices accelerating the processes of soil restoration included the application of the Geolex biogeosorbent composed of a glauconite-bearing rock and immobilized oil-degraders of the BIOTRIN biopreparation. The biotechnologies embodied enhanced the processes of dehydrogenation and oxidation of oil and petroleum products. By the end of the experiment, the dehydrogenase activity of the soils recultivated decreased, which indicated the progressive succession. The efficiency of pollutant removal at pilot sites was 68-95 % in 60 days.