Abstract

Ahmad Sabzali1, Mitra Gholami2 and M. A. Sadati3

Three different compounds (humic acid, yeast extract and hydrogen peroxide) and two related culture media (mineral salt solution and prokaryotic medium) were evaluated for enhancing biodegradation of benzene under aerobic conditions. The results showed that yeast extract was more effective than humic acid in benzene biodegradation. The presence of both yeast extract and humic acid resulted in increased benzene removal efficiency, depending on the yeast extract concentration. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, benzene removal efficiency was increased by more than 55%. The benzene removal efficiency in Prokaryotic medium was higher than in the mineral salt medium.