Indigenous Soil Microorganisms as Agents for Diesel Fuel Degradation

The study is relevant in connection with the growing problem of soil pollution with diesel fuel. The aim of the experiment was to study the effect of diesel fuel on soil microorganisms and to identify heterotrophic bacteria capable of decomposing hydrocarbons in the southern chernozem. Analysis of microorganisms from soils contaminated in laboratory conditions revealed a significant decrease in the number of heterotrophic bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, actinomycetes and mold fungi due to exposure to petroleum products. However, five heterotrophic bacterial species (Bacillus simplex, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Kurthia zopfii, Rothia kristinae and Microbacterium lacticum) have shown resistance to pollutants. In soil samples containing native strains of bacteria capable of oxidizing hydrocarbons, the concentration of petroleum products decreased by 70.3% in 180 days. The use of native soil microorganisms to reduce the concentration of diesel fuel is an environmentally safe and effective approach.