Major oil spills, fortunately, do not occur frequently. But when they do, they contribute petroleum hydrocarbons and non-petroleum organic wastes to the environment depending on the source of the spill. Mother Nature can eventually assimilate the spill into her environment but at what cost and time frame. We as humans want and often need to address this problem immediately in order to reduce any negative impact on the environment and to reduce business downtime getting people back to work. Consequently, bioremediation is a viable approach.
Oil and other petroleum products are made up of a variety of organic (carbon-based) molecules. The organic material is generically referred to as BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) often referred to as “food” for the bacteria. Under aerobic conditions, the bacteria consume or metabolize organic matter, producing energy, carbon dioxide, and more bacteria. In bioremediation of an oil spill, the bacteria break down the long chain hydrocarbon molecules into progressively smaller carbon molecules which are eventually converted into carbon dioxide.
Tackling an oil spill takes a multi-pronged approach. Areas for this approach include:
1. Utilizing the correct bacteria that can degrade the petroleum organic matter.
2. Feeding the necessary amount bacteria to degrade the spill and doing this the most economically possible.
3. Having the skill and knowledge to coax the most effectiveness out of the bacterial degradation process. This involves controlling as many of the eight growth pressures that affect the microbial community as possible.
4. The logistical component of getting the bacteria to the spill and in a manner that allows for the spill and bacteria to successfully interact.
Environmental Business Specialists (EBS) has an unprecedented amount of knowledge in the area of bacterial degradation of organic matter utilizing bacteria and nutrient. We are the largest supplier of nutrient and bacterial cultures to the Pulp & Paper Industry, the largest user of water for manufacturing operations in the world. EBS has pioneered the use of supplemental additives or micronutrients to enhance microbial performance.
Bacterial Cultures
EBS has the highest quantity of oil degrading bacteria at the lowest possible cost. EBS BioStar HCT contains a synergistic blend of petroleum degrading and organic waste degrading bacterial strains. Each strain in HCT was selected to work under diverse environmental conditions and to provide the most complete digestion of petroleum and petroleum degradation by-products.
HCT contains proven petroleum degrading strains that are capable of performing in both fresh water and marine environments. As shown in the two graphs, gas chromatograph analysis confirms these strains metabolize hydrocarbon products such as gasoline, oil, diesel, and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylene).
The bacterial cultures in this blend are also beneficial in treating soil tainted with hydrocarbons. Soil treatments can be spray applied or tilled into the contaminated soil. The addition of nutrients in soil applications to balance the system often shows increased activity.
EBS Principal Consultant, Mike Foster, is one of the most experienced bioaugmentation experts in the US with a 20 year history with the technology. In addition, EBS works exclusively with one of the US’s premier biological production companies to choose the best bacterial strains available to degrade the organic material. Our supplier of bacteria blends and concentrates has advanced degrees and experience in industrial microbiology with extensive experience in the area of fermentation. They take a very scientific approach to strain selection and quality control. With research done at both sites, we ensure that the best raw materials are blended together to create a bacterial product that allows us to get the most from the strains themselves.
Bacterial “Growth Tanks”
Concurrent with the development of the BioStarTM and MicroStarTM lines, EBS introduced its patent-pending Bacterial Acceleration ChambersTM (BAC units). These simple, but uniquely designed units create an environment allowing the bacteria to reproduce at rates resulting in 100 – 1000 fold increase in concentration in only 16 to 24 hours. The liquid solution is then applied directly into the waste environment. The result is a greater success at an affordable cost.
At EBS we view bioaugmentation as an integral part of our business model and a key weapon in our arsenal for solving client problems. Our approach to on-site cultivation with the BAC units is measurably better than other systems in the field and less expensive to build and maintain. We continually improve the feeders and find ways to make them more reliable and user-friendly. Our products have been formulated and reformulated based on in-house testing and research. EBS employees believe in the products and have seen for themselves how they work in the lab and in the field.
At EBS
Typical growth curve from actual BAC unit batch
Test results show that five pounds of EBS bacteria blend are the equivalent of over 1000 pounds of a typical dry product or 1000 gallons of a typical liquid concentrate. Historically, it was not uncommon for major industrial clients to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on dry bacteria products to address wastewater upsets. Consequently, the reputation and acceptance of industrial bioaugmentation has suffered.
For example, many years ago, a large water treatment company sold a papermill approximately 25,000 pounds of bacterial product at a cost of over $1 million. The product had a specification of 1 billion cfu/ml, or ~ 1.3 x 1016 cfus were applied. By comparison, a single grow up in an EBS BAC-225 produces 8.5 x 1014 cfus under the worst of conditions with only 25 pounds of inoculum. It would take only 15 batches (375 pounds of EBS BioStar product) to produce the same amount of cultures that cost the client over $1 million for almost twenty years ago. The difference is the bacterial cost of less than $100,000 instead of $1 million. That is what EBS terms “value”.
BAC Units come in three sizes: 225 gal, 85 gal, and 15 gal sizes.
Nutrients
Bacteria require specific amounts amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus for optimum reproductive division, which is important when using the BAC units for on-site cultivation of bacteria. EBS is the largest single supplier of nutrient blends to the paper industry in the Eastern/Southern United States. We have relationships with twenty blending facilities throughout the eastern half of the United States from as far north as New York, as far south as Florida, and as far west as Texas.
Shipping nutrient is a logistically challenging and price sensitive market that EBS has penetrated using innovative solutions, such as respirometry for blend determinations and BOD surrogate dosage modeling. Mike Foster and the EBS team are now generally regarded as leading experts in the country in the area of nutrient usage and optimization for bacterial growth in pulp and paper mills. Owner and Principal Consultant, Mike Foster, is widely sought after speaker and trainer for manufacturing plants, conferences, workshops, and short courses throughout the country. He has presented numerous papers and participated in several panels regarding nutrient application for biological growth to reduce organic loading at TAPPI and NCASI meetings.
Geographic Location
EBS is a family-owned, Louisiana based company located in Mandeville on the Northshore of New Orleans. Our geographical proximity to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico allows us to react quickly with not only bacterial product and nutrient but also manpower expertise.
With the exception of our four experienced industrial retirees, all EBS employees have science/engineering degrees in the areas of microbiology, chemical, environmental, biological, and/or environmental engineering degrees. Several have advanced degrees including Mike Foster (MS Instructional Technology – Training), Christine Foster (MBA), Patrice Cole (MS Environmental Planning, PhD Biology), Marieta Chanco (MS Environmental Engineering), and Robin Schroeder (MS Hydrogeology). The result is a staff that can step up and fill in when the need exists, whatever an employee’s title or job description.
Our approach to using biological products for organic degradation is unique. We are not just “bug suppliers.” We are a solutions orienting consulting company that employs the most appropriate technology for each application. We pride ourselves on being able to bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to clients at an affordable cost. EBS is fully committed to assist with the current problem and its impact on our environment.
