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Biodegradation of mineral
oils – A review
Emmanuel O. Aluyor and
Mudiakeoghene Ori-jesu
Department
of Chemical Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City,
Nigeria.
*Corresponding author: E-mail:
eoaluyor@yahoo.com.
Tel: +2348023350667, +2348055657745.
Accepted
8 January, 2009 |
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The uses of the various kinds of mineral oils in various
industrial situations have made them an indispensable
ingredient of the industrialization and development that has
characterized the past century. Recent focus on health,
safety and the preservation of the environment has turned
the searchlight to the effects of mineral oils on the
environment when they are accidentally spilled, or
intentionally disposed of. Biodegradation, which provides an
indication of the persistence of a particular substance in
the environment, is the yardstick for assessing the eco
friendliness of substances. Due to the poor biodegradation
rates observable for mineral oils, various methods of
bioremediation are currently being researched, with the
isolation of various microbial species with the ability to
use up mineral oils as a carbon and energy source.
Ultimately, vegetable oil based hydraulic fluids will come
to the fore as a suitable and more environmentally friendly
solution to the demand for hydraulic fluids.
Key
words:
Lubricant, environmental, transformer oil, additives. |
