Performance comparison of bioremediation and fixation methods for removing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from oily drilling cuttings by environmental protection approach

Background and Objective: Improper treatment of PAHs in oily drilling cuttings cause adverse effects on the environment. The present study aimed to investigate the efficiency of two bioremediation and fixation methods for PAHs removal from oily drilling cuttings. The efficiency of the two mentioned methods were analyzed and subsequentelythe more effective one was selected using environmental protection approach. Materials and Methods: The sampling of oily drilling cuttings at the beginning and end of the treating process was performed for the studied methods, according to standard protocols. The amounts of PAHs, are determined by Soxhlet apparatus and gas chromatography-mass spectrometery. Results: The results showed that the removal efficiency of PAHs from oily drilling cuttings was 97% (440.3 mg/kg) for bioremediation and 78% (354.7 mg/kg) for the fixation method, respectively. The findings showed that the bioremediation method provides the standard requirements for the discharge of PAHs to the environment. Conclusion: Bioremediation is more effective than the fixation method for removing PAHs compounds and exhibits higher environmental protection performance.