A multifunctional hybrid material based on sepiolite for environmental recovery and bio-remediation is described. In particular, the invention describes the design and development of suitably functionalized hybrid nanomaterials starting from sepiolite and the subsequent study of the absorbent and degrading properties in relation to aromatic hydrocarbons, by activating hydrocarbon-clastic bacteria. These nanomaterials have been prepared in order to remove hydrocarbon pollutants (e.g. oil) in natural matrices (marine environment), with potential applications in the field of environmental remediation.

The present invention refers to the heterologous production in microorganisms of modified versions of a predicted isoform of the surfactant protein Lv-ranaspumin-1 (Lv-Rsn-1), whose sequence was inferred from analyzes of the protein extract of the nest foam from the Northeastern Pepper Frog (Leptodactylus vastus). More specifically, it refers to two surfactant proteins that consist of modified versions of the predicted isoform of Lv-Rsn-1; to two synthetic genes each encoding one of these modified versions of the predicted isoform of Lv-Rsn-1; to two expression cassettes each containing one of the synthetic genes encoding one of the modified versions of the predicted isoform of Lv-Rsn-1; to two expression vectors each containing one of the synthetic genes encoding modified versions of the predicted isoform of Lv-Rsn-1; and to two transgenic microorganisms, a bacterium and a yeast, each transformed with one of these synthetic genes and heterologously producing one of the modified versions of the predicted isoform of Lv-Rsn-1. Lv-Rsn-1 has surfactancy, emulsification and dispersancy properties, among others, and its heterologous production allows it to be used in various applications and industrial products, without the need to extract it from the frog nest foam.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of microbial electrochemical technology, in particular to a graphene-magnetite conductive skeleton electrode, a preparation method and application thereof, and a method for treating petrochemical wastewater. In the present disclosure, the surface roughness of the graphite rod electrode can be increased by the conductive skeleton modified on the surface of the graphite rod electrode, which is beneficial to the enrichment of microorganisms. The increase in the load of microorganisms will mean the amount of electroactive microorganisms will also increase, which will further improve the electron transfer ability, and because the material of the modified layer is a conductive material, it is also more conducive to the transfer of electrons; at the same time, the conductive skeleton modified on the surface of graphite rod electrode can also further enhance the transmission distance of electrons because of the skeleton constructed.

A method for degrading a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon such as the 5-membered ring compound benzo(a)pyrene (BZP) using a halophilic microbe Staphylococcus haemoliticus, strain 10SBZ1A.

The present disclosure provides a solid waste treatment method, including following steps: screening off masses having a particle size greater than 0.5 cm from solid waste; adding extraction agents to the solid waste and then heating and stirring so that the solid waste is fully dispersed in the extraction agents; placing the mixed extraction agent in a centrifuge and centrifuging the mixed extraction feeding liquid phase separated by centrifuging into a rectification tower for rectification and cooling, recovering residual oil substances in a rectification kettle, separating mixture of cooled extraction agents and water, continuously adding the separated extraction agents into an extraction kettle for cyclic extraction, and conveying sewage to a sewage treatment plant to treat and discharging the sewage after the sewage reaches a treatment standard.

The present application discloses a Bacillus sp. producing a bioflocculant and a biosurfactant. The microbial classification of the Bacillus sp. is named Bacillus sp. SS15, which has been preserved in China Center for Type Culture Collection on Mar. 29, 2021, and its preservation number is CCTCC M2021295; the 16S rRNA sequence of SS15 is shown as SEQ ID NO.1. Bacillus sp. SS15 obtained by the present application has the function of simultaneously producing a bioflocculant and a biosurfactant. The bioflocculant and biosurfactant produced by Bacillus sp. SS15 of the present application not only have high activity, but also show strong tolerance in the ranges of pH (2-12), temperature (4° C.-100° C.) and salinity (0-100 g/L). Meanwhile, they can be applied to the remediation of a fracturing flowback liquid and can effectively promote the removal of chroma, suspended solids, COD, n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the same time.

Provided herein are compositions and methods that can remove, metabolize, or degrade a hydrocarbon in an area that is contaminated by hydrocarbons. Methods for bioremediation of an area such as an area of land, a body of water, or a shoreline that are contaminated by a hydrocarbon, such as from a crude oil spill are also described. The compositions and methods described herein can be used on natural flora and fauna as well as manmade materials that are contaminated by a hydrocarbon.

A lightweight, bioplastic, mobile, floating oil spill mechanical/biological recovery system is dimensionally compact, and quick to assemble. The floating platform can be readily positioned within any waterborne oil/contaminant spill area. After assembly, this platform or apparatus can be directed by either a hand-held digital radio control transmitter or GPS directed mechanism. A lower, multi-roller slip-on belt is designed to be mounted over a circular base support aeration hub assembly with alternating/spaced slotted ring water drainage separators. The belt and aeration assemblies dip bioaugmentation product into the contaminant site thereby exposing microorganisms to both oxygen and target contaminant for treatment and metabolism. Various mechanisms for enhancing metabolic activity of the bioaugmentation product operate in tandem with the primary belt and aeration assemblies to promote effective contaminant metabolism and overall treatment regimes.

The present disclosure provides a solid waste treatment method, including following steps: screening off masses having a particle size greater than 0.5 cm from solid waste; adding extraction agents to the solid waste and then heating and stirring so that the solid waste is fully dispersed in the extraction agents; placing the mixed extraction agent in a centrifuge and centrifuging the mixed extraction; feeding liquid phase separated by centrifuging into a rectification tower for rectification and cooling, recovering residual oil substances in a rectification kettle, separating mixture of cooled extraction agents and water, continuously adding the separated extraction agents into an extraction kettle for cyclic extraction, and conveying sewage to a sewage treatment plant to treat and discharging the sewage after the sewage reaches a treatment standard.

Methods to remediate a contaminated material are provided. In one embodiment, a biocatalyst that digests hydrocarbon contaminants is activated with a nutrient and the activated biocatalyst is combined with the contaminated material and water to form a mixture. The mixture is incubated for a period of time, and the level of contaminant in the mixture is determined to ascertain whether to incubate further, add additional biocatalyst mix, or provide the remediated material for further processing. In one embodiment, the remediated material is provided for reuse or recycling with a second material, such as a construction aggregate. The method is particularly suited for remediation of drill cuttings, mine tailings, hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, and the like.