Modelling the Effect of Functional Parameter Upon Temperature on The Biodegradation Rate of Hydrocarbons: A Mathematical Review

Abstract

As oil industries continue exploration and exploitation of the environment, the tendency of oil spillage, and by extension, pollution of the marine and coastal environment is on the rise. Therefore, this research work reviews the methodologies or ways of curbing this menace which includes the use of
microbes to consume or ‘eat up’ such oil spills in a series of redox processes. However, several factors affect the rate of consumption of these spills, one of which is temperature. In order to help curb this, we have therefore derived a mathematical model (assuming a batch system) that explains the relationship
between the effect of temperature and the rate of hydrocarbon degradation. In this model we looked at temperatures ranging from 0oC to 100oC. As expected, a good match was found between the microbial growth rate and the operating temperature in the microbial consortium (or batch reactor). The result
obtained from the  demonstrated a mathematical relationship between the microbial growth and the temperature. Were the peak value of the curve reveals points of optimal growth. Also, shows that the microorganism can be characterised by that point. Another result was also derived via the plotting  which shows a comparison between laboratory results and the derived model.
Important kinetic parameters were assumed and implemented with the model. The reading shows that there is a good match between the model derived and the obtained laboratory results respectively. At the cause of this research it was observed and investigated that temperature and soil nutrient availability is very pivotal factors influencing the degradation of hydrocarbon when combined with
different microbial species.