Bioremediation Techniques for Oil-sludge Treatment at the Arun Field

Abstract

lurry sludge that contains hydrocarbons and heavy metals compounds were generated rom drilling activities and production processes in the Arun Field in North Aceh. The ludge was categorized as a hazardous and toxic waste, and it required special handling nd treatment As a part of the overall waste management program, the sludge was "eated by applying bioremediation technology to reduce the concentration of nvironmental pollutants to levels considered acceptable by the Indonesian Regulatory ,gencies. The pre-treatment sampling result showed that the Total Petroleum [ydrocarbon (TPH) concentration of the sludge was in the range of 2-4% and heavy letal compounds such as lead, zinc and mercury were above the government limits. bree biological met'Iods applied to treat the waste such as water lagoon, slurry and iopile. Cultured indigenous microbial consortion~ were introduced to remove and ansform targeted pollutants. Tne water lagoon approach reduced oil & grease, pH, ~OD, H2S, NH3, and total Phenol to below the produced water threshold. Meanwhile iUrry and biopile techniques showed a reduction of TPH, ETEX and heavy metal oncentrations. Combination of those methods resulted i!'. at: effective and efiicient way ) reduce petroleum waste and petroleum contaminated soil pollutants to unharm to uman health and environment An acute toxicity test (LD50) to Mus Musculus was emonstated that shewed a significantly improved sludge quality. he biotreated soil was spreading in-situ and applying vegetation such sun flower, ~gume cover crops, Jatropha, and wild plants that grows healthy and fruity well. Series lonitoring programs were conducted on quarterly basis, after one year, the average of PH of bioremediated soil was 2150 ppm versus 10,000 ppm regulation, the water lali~ o~t\.vo Illonitoring wells were also below regulation limit.