Statistical Assessment of Phenol Biodegradation by a Metal-Tolerant Binary Consortium of Indigenous Antarctic Bacteria

Since the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, continent has been pressurized by multiple anthropogenic activities, today including research and tourism, which have led to emergence phenol pollution. Natural attenuation rates are very slow in this region due harsh environmental conditions; hence, biodegradation using native bacterial strains is recognized as a sustainable remediation approach. The aim study was analyze effectiveness degradation binary consortium soil bacteria, Arthrobacter sp. strain AQ5-06, AQ5-15. Phenol co-culture statistically optimized response surface methodology (RSM) tolerance exposure different heavy metals investigated under conditions. Analysis variance central composite design (CCD) identified temperature most significant factor that affects consortium, with optimum ranging from 12.50 13.75 °C. This able degrade up 1.7 g/L within seven days tolerated concentration high 1.9 g/L. Investigation metal revealed completed presence arsenic (As), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) at concentrations 1.0 ppm, but inhibited cadmium (Cd), silver (Ag), mercury (Hg).