Coupling extraction and enzyme catalysis for the removal of anthracene present in polluted soils

In this study, a novel system for removing anthracene from polluted soils using biodegradable vegetable oil was investigated. The process consisted of the extraction of anthracene from the soil (1004 mg/kg) by pomace olive oil followed by its degradation in a surfactant-assisted two phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB), operated with a laccase-mediator system. The main outcomes of this study showed high extraction efficiency for both fresh and regenerated pomace olive oil (higher than 84%) and almost complete removal of anthracene in the TPPB after 48 h. Finally, the feasibility of reusing both the aqueous and organic phases of the TPPB in successive batches of anthracene degradation in the bioreactor was also demonstrated. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.