Isolation and culture of autochthonous bacterial consortia for degrading lindane production waste and by-products in contaminated soils
A factory was producing lindane in Aragon from 1975 to 1989. An estimate of more than 150,000 tons of solid waste with high content of HCH and other organochlorine compounds was produced, and dumped it, together with liquid wastes, in two landfills, Sardas and Bailin. Since 1994, the Government of Aragon implements measures for the control, containment and remediation of the contamination.
In 2017 and 2018, the Government of Aragon, in collaboration with SARGA, the USC and the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), developed a project to progress on the bioremediation of the contaminated sediments using autochthonic bacteria.
The project was divided in four phases:
• Soil Characterization
• Characterization and selection of bacterial consortia
• Proliferation of bacterial consortia
• Field pilot test
Results showed that the bioaugmentation of autochthonous bacterial consortia from HCH contaminated areas is a feasible technique to remediate lindane using biopiles and low cost materials for structuring and as carbon sources.
Stakeholders of the project are the municipalities of the river Gallego basin, which are positively influenced by all remediation actions, as well as universities and research groups.
Resources needed
-Bioreactors: 1m3 deposit, water, air and heating system
-Biopiles: air, heating and irrigation system, soil
-Consumibles: lab reagents, nutrients, bacteria, contaminants for doping water/soil
-Staff: 1 lab technician, 1 biochemist, 1 bioremediation expert
Estimated overall cost: 200.000 €
Evidence of success
The project presented in this good practice proved that autochthonous bacterial consortia have potential to degrade HCH using low cost materials for structuring and for carbon sources. Results showed high performances of HCH destruction of (90-95% reduction in most cases).
The possibility of using autochthonic bacteria and close materials contributes to the principles of economy and sustainability in the waste management, according to the EU waste policy.
Potential for learning or transfer
Bioremediation of HCH with autochthonic bacterial consortia could be applicable to any contaminated site where lindane was produced or stored.
There are 25 lindane contaminated megasites in 14 European countries, according to the PETI committee "Lindane in EU" and more than 40 megasites based in recent information coming from the EU project HCHinEU. All the regions and countries where these sites are located could benefit from this Good Practice.
