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Mathematical Modeling to Predict the Effect of Oxygen on Hydrocarbon Degradation

Ukpaka Chukwuemeka P., Ekperi Nelson. I., Achinike Okogbuke Wonodi

Abstract


Hydrocarbon degradation takes place as a result of microbial attack on the hydrocarbon. But the rate at which this degradation proceeds is dependent on the type of microbial degradation that occurs. If the microbial degradation takes place in the presence of oxygen, such process is known as aerobic degradation, but if it takes place without oxygen, it is known as anaerobic degradation. Under aerobic degradation condition, aerobic microbes are constantly energized due to the availability of oxygen which aid their metabolic process, as a result, the degradation proceeds at a faster rate than under anaerobic condition. From Michealis Menten's Equation, a mathematical model which shows the relationship between the growth rate of biomass, hydrocarbon concentration and oxygen concentration was developed. Simulation of the model and a plot of hydrocarbon degradation against oxygen concentration show that the rate of hydrocarbon degradation increases exponentially to maximum as the concentration of oxygen tend to maximum. Hence, the model predicts the effect of oxygen on hydrocarbon degradation and significances of oxygen in speeding microbial growth especially when the organisms involved in degrading the substrate are of oxygen dependent. Increase in oxygen utilization by microbes revealed increase in hydrocarbon consumption as well as increase in microbial growth. This process will influence the degradation time and the coefficient of the oxygen and the controlling functional parameters. However, the effect of oxygen on microbes has been reported in different event, but the research work further considered the active role displayed by oxygen concentration in substrate degradation.


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