Detoxification of contaminated soils from hydrocarbon rocket fuel used in «Soyuz» launch vehicles using the bioremediation method

• Published in: Journal of space safety engineering 2024-07
• Main Authors: Bekeshev, Yerlan, Zhumabekova, Zhazira, Moldabekov, Meirbek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Baikonur» cosmodrome; Bioremediation; Microorganism; Soil detoxification
• ISSN: 2468-8967; 2468-8967
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsse.2024.07.004

Rocket and space activities are developing worldwide, but environmental concerns are overlooked in pursuing new technologies. The Republic of Kazakhstan's "Baikonur" Cosmodrome routinely launches rockets in emergencies, causing toxic fuel to spill onto and contaminate the soil. This study examines the effect of T-1 kerosene, a hydrocarbon rocket fuel of toxic hazard class 4, on the soil microbial community from the aeration zone in laboratory conditions. In three different soil samples, 15 g/kg, 30 g/kg, and 50 g/kg of T-1 kerosene were tested according to their utilization by microbes throughout three, ten, and thirty days. Based on scientific research, several strains of microorganisms were able to utilize T-1 kerosene rocket fuel, such as Acinetobacter calcoaceticum-18, Bacillus sp.-20, Micrococcus roseus-25, and Candida sp.-12/5, purifying it from 70 to 90 %. According to a study conducted after 30 days of microbiological detoxification of calcisols (loamic) (site 196) and dystric arenosols (site 31), with an initial load of 50 g/kg of T-1 kerosene, the concentration was determined. Microorganisms that produce 5 + 20 (99.83 %) and 18+20+25+12/5 (99.80 %) oil products are well utilized. During decontamination of soils contaminated with hydrocarbons was found to be present in the soil after 60 days when microorganism № 20 was used at 9.3 mg/kg, and the association of microorganism 5 + 25 at 8.88 mg/kg. The article describes the developed technology for soil detoxification using the microbiological method.