A Literature Survey and Data Base Assessment: Microbial Fate of Diesel Fuel and Fog Oils,
Abstract
This report assesses the data base on microbial degradation and microbial concentration of military-relevant fog-generating oils (SGF 1 and 2 and diesel fuel) in soil and freshwater systems. Such data were not found for the SGF oils. For SGF 1, diesel fuel and No. 2 heating oil were considered acceptable models and for SGF 2, light lubricating oils. Disappearance rates for No. 2 fuel oil have been shown to reach 500 sq.m/month (690 mg/sq.m/hr) in soils during the first few months following application. In waters, rates are probably lower, e.g. up to 10 mg/L/day for No. 2 fuel oil. These observations actually represent favorable case situations. Rates vary greatly according to the nature of the material and, for a given material, in response to environmental and operational conditions and the degree of weathering or aging that has occurred. The data base has been considered critically from the standpoint of its adequacy in meeting the requirement of the US Army for information allowing predictions of the role of biosorption to microorganisms and the rate of biodegradation in soil and freshwater systems, of material deposited from obscurant fogs. It was concluded that to allow such prediction further research would be required to many areas. Toward this end, several research studies on biodegradative processes and biodegradation rates of impacted or settled fog material, with and without prior exposure to sunlight or UV, are recommended and prioritized. Keywords: Bioaccumulation; Biotransformation; Environmental fate; Obscurants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA167799
Entities
People
- Gordon W. Taylor
- Howard T. Bausum
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research and Development Command