Mathematical Modelling of the Effect of Functional Parameter on the Biodegradation Rate of Hydrocarbons

Abstract

The discovery of oil as a potential source of energy did not come without its attendant problems. Continuous degradation of our environment and increased carbon footprint is a negative consequence of global industrialization. However, microbes are known to consume such hydrocarbon in an attempt to restore the environment to its original state. These microbes depend on several factors-one of which is temperature- to function effectively. In this work, we have derived a model to define the relationship between functional parameter temperature and the rate of hydrocarbon degradation. It is seen that at temperatures between 0-30^oC, microbial growth rate is low while temperatures between 40-60^oC have increased microbial growth which translates to high substrate consumption and beyond 60^oC. There is sharp decline in the microbial population due to the inhibiting effect of such high temperatures on the microbial consortium. The model, when solved with MATLAB (2018), shares similar trend as the laboratory data obtained by Ukpaka (2012).

Keywords: Mathematical, modelling, effect, functional parameter, biodegradation rate, hydrocarbon

Cite this Article

Uku, Philip Eruni., Ukpaka C. P., Amadi, S. A., Dagde, K. K. Mathematical Modelling of the Effect of Functional Parameter on the Biodegradation Rate of Hydrocarbons. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Bioinformatics. 2020; 7(3):
34–43p.