Contaminated areas by BTEX in Cubatão: isolation of microorganisms with bioremediation potential and study of environmental and social impacts caused by these compounds

• Grant number: 11/01537-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2011
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento
• Grantee: Ingrid Regina Avanzi
• Home Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/57708-7 - CEPEMA-USP, AP.TEM

Abstract

Soil polluted by hydrocarbons known as BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene), presents a great risk to communities who live close to these places. These compounds are toxic, carcinogenic and can cause a person to death, even in extremely small concentrations. People often has no idea what are these contaminants and the great danger they represent. Thousands of homes have been built on hazardous wastes that are still active, emitting gases and contaminating the groundwater. In particular, the region of Cubatao, the problem is aggravated by the improper use of water from rivers and streams, which in a percolation process, end up contaminated soil. The point of collection of water may be near the contaminated site. This paper aims to isolate microorganisms from contaminated areas, identify them by molecular tools and use them in a possible bioremediation process (treatment) of these soils. The work involves the assistance of social and environmental programs at the Center for Research in the Environment (CEPEMA-USP), and the main goal of this work is: educate and warn people, who use incorrectly contaminated water, to the dangers of BTEX. (AU)