Oil Spill Bioremediation Laboratory - Free Essay

The raw facts recordings indicate that a considerable number of oil gallons enter the oceans annually due to oil spills (Lim, 2016). Consequently, the impact of the pollution resulting from oil spills on marine life is considerable and has long-lasting afflictions on the marine ecosystem. However, a large number of oil spill gallons devastating marine life come from severe accidents leading to the oil spill. For instance, in the year 2010, a remarkable record of the Horizon Deepwater Disaster portrayed a significant impact on marine life due to the oil spills ascertained in the event if the happening. The effect of the Horizon Deepwater Disaster leads to the loss of marine life due to the depreciation of vital requirements for marine survival arising from accidental oil spills. Besides, many dolphins, turtles, and deep-water corals died as a result of the spills leading to a lower number of marine lives accrued (Vargas, 2017).

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In the laboratory investigation, students made remarkable simulation efforts to portray the bioremediation process relating to marine nature's oil spills. In the utilization of the bioremediation technique, living things incorporate the process of cleaning environmental pollution arising from various human activities. In the current lab examinations, students applied splendid suspensions of microbes containing oil degrading aspects in nature, leading to a minimal amount of chemical indicator amount in the experiment culture tube. A sumptuous observation portraying a change associated indicator's color gave a significant insinuation that the structure of the chemical nature in the oil underwent an immediate breakdown.

In the process of perpetration of the experiment, I had a strong belief that the indicator was to change the tube colors due to the mixing of the solutions. The first tube contained a solution of oil spills and tetrazolium, whereas the second tube contained a microbial solution. Consequently, the color change of the solution attained, as mentioned by the hypothesis due to the reactivity that will result between the 1st solution and the 2nd solution. The final product achieved from the reaction has a different color from the individual reacting solutions. Similarly, another hypothesis considered in the experiment is the ability to constitute the oil breakdown without indicator presence. The three days will provide an impeccable period for the solutions to separate. According to my perspective, the hypothesis is attainable given that the process of recombination of the broken bonds usually takes place after a specified period. Moreover, another suggestion presented in the experiment pertained to the belief that both tubes (5 & 6) underwent a more significant breakdown arising from the addition of more oil. In my perspective, the viability nature of the hypothesis is supported by the insinuation that the more addition of the solutions prompts a rapid separation by the microbes.

Materials and methods

A pencil utilized for the process of labeling the tubes from number 1 to number 6. The machines 1 and 2 had a remarkable utilization of indicator tetrazolium, which displayed the rate of perpetration of metabolism. In the reasoning description, a hypothesis regarding the change of indicator color in tubes 1 and 2 found a viable formulation. However, figure 3 utilized in the process of elaboration of the interpretation, and the resultant information was recorded in the Lab Worksheek section of the hypotheses. Moreover, tubes three and four were explicitly utilized for the process examination relating to the appearance of oil and its physical properties prompted by the presence of microorganisms.

On the other hand, tubes 5 and 6 were used to test the effects associated with the breakdown of oil. By using the pipet, a 1ml of 0.02% concentration of the indicator of tetrazolium nature was fed in tubes labelled 1, 2, 5, and 6. Besides, by the use of the pipet apparatus, distilled water amounted to 2ml was fed in containers 1, 2, 3, and 4. 2ml of the microbial suspension was also inputted in tubes 2, 4, 5, and 6. All the culture tubes were sealed and stirred remarkably. Observations were recorded significantly.

Results

Data Table 1

Tubes 1 and 2 Observations

Data Table 2

Tubes 3 and 4 observations

Data Table 3

Tubes 5 and 6 Observations

Discussion

The first hypothesis presented the insinuation of the change of colors of the mixture of solutions of tubes 1 & 2. The experiment results portrayed a remarkable difference in the solution color. The two suggestions are similarly leading to the acceptance of the hypothesis. The second hypothesis displayed oil breakdown without the presence of the indicator. The experiment results portray the symbol not taking place in the reaction leading to the oil breakdown in its absence. Therefore, the two facts are similarly leading to the acceptance of the hypothesis.

Consequently, the third hypothesis elucidated the fact that tubes experience a more significant breakdown. However, the experiment results contradict this kind of insinuation. Therefore, the suggestion is rejected. The rejection of the hypothesis is prompted by the fact that the tubes do not take part in the reaction.

In the experiment, remarkable information about the breakdown of oil spills reflects various advantages of this fact. For instance, preservation of the biodiversity can be attained (Nrior, 2019). Consequently, the phenomenon of conservation of biodiversity is prompted by the reduction in nutrient depression caused by oil spills on the biodiversity. Therefore, the experiment presented sumptuous knowledge relating to the perpetration of the breakdown (Nrior, 2019). A similar methodology can be applied in a real-life situation to reduce the afflictions resulting from the spillage of oil.

The primary source of error in the experiment is poor observation techniques. For instance, an incorrect recording of the color change can result. Similarly, a poor record of the number of bubbles in the experiment culture tubes can also occur.

From the lab exercise, questions about the rate of breakdown of oil spills emerged in my perspectives. Therefore, future experiments should implement imperative techniques that will speed up the pace of decline. For instance, more samples of microbial organisms can be utilized in future studies.

References

Lim, M. W., Von Lau, E., & Poh, P. E. (2016). A comprehensive guide of remediation technologies for oil contaminated soil—present works and future directions. Marine pollution bulletin, 109(1), 14-45.

Nrior, R. R., & Inweregbu, A. O. (2019). Bioremediation Potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa KX828570 on Crude Oil Spill Polluted Marshland and Terrestrial Soil Treated with Oil Spill Dispersant. Journal of Advances in Microbiology, 1-15.

Vargas, J. P., Carmona, S. E. V., Moreno, E. Z., Casado, N. A. R., & Calva, G. C. (2017). Bioremediation of soils from oil spill impacted sites using bioaugmentation with biosurfactants producing, native, free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental, 33, 105-114.