Development of a Bacterial Preparation Based on Immobilized Cells

A new method for removing thin oil films from a water surface with the use of the oil-degrading microorganism Acinetobacter valentis immobilized in calcium alginate gel has been developed. It has been demonstrated that n-alkanes emulsified into calcium alginate granules impart positive buoyancy to the granules. The parameters of obtaining calcium alginate granules with immobilized oil-degrading cells affect the characteristics of biological preparation. It has been demonstrated that the use of the biological preparation containing emulsified n-alkanes makes it possible to increase the bioremediation rate due to localization of immobilized and free cells in the upper water level. The new form of biological preparations makes it possible to decrease the amount of oil hydrocarbons by as much as 97% for 21 days at a temperature of 10-22 degrees C versus 63% in the control variant.