Biostimulation-based bioremediation of diesel fuel: field demonstration.

Ex-situ bioremediation of leached cynamonic forest soil at initial diesel oil contamination of 6,000 mg kg(-1), 4,000 mg kg(-1) and 2,000 mg kg(-1) was investigated after biostimulation with inorganic fertilizers. It was found that the added nutrients had no effect on the decontamination of polluted soils. A precise and reliable approach for evaluation of the biodegradation process is proposed. It comprises application of sensitive and easily accessible diagnostic parameters and relations, calculated on the basis of n-alkanes and isoprenoids--pristane (2.6.10.14-tetramethylpentadecane, i-C19H40) and phytane (2.6.10.14-tetramethylhexadecane, i-C20H42) distribution.