Biodegradation of Rubber Particles in Soil: Using Acclimated Bacteria Isolated from Kansas Soil to Degrade Cryogrinds in Slurry

Author

Shane GrahamFollow

College

College of Engineering and Polymer Science

Date of Last Revision

2023-05-05 20:17:36

Major

Civil Engineering

Honors Course

4300:497-003 Honor's Research

Number of Credits

3

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2022

Abstract

This study investigated the viability of bioremediating rubber cryogrind using enriched indigenous bacteria. To begin the experiment, soils from three highway roadside locations in Kansas, KS 96 and West, KS 400 and 143^rd, and 199^th, were collected and transported to the lab to be studied. An initial soil characterization was run on the soil samples using distilled (DI) water mixture and 0.01 M CaCl₂ to assess conductivity. The soils were tested to gather a baseline of the relationship between pH and conductivity and the impact of its distance from the roadside. Bacteria were isolated from the soils, mixed with rubber cryogrind, and put into a nutrient mix consisting of 2 g/L of (NH₄)₂SO₄ (Ammonium Sulfate) and 200 mg/L of KH₂PO₄ (Monopotassium Phosphate) with the cryogrind as the carbon source. Five different cryogrind types were used in the experiment. Cryogrinds tested included TIP cryogrind (donated by the Tire Industry group), truck SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) cryogrind, truck NR (natural rubber) cryogrind, Passenger tire CB (carbon black filler) cryogrind, and passenger tire Silica (silica filler) cryogrind.

Research Sponsor

Teresa Cutright

First Reader

Nariman Mahabadi

Second Reader

William Schneider

Honors Faculty Advisor

Ping Yi

Comments

N/A

Recommended Citation

Graham, Shane, "Biodegradation of Rubber Particles in Soil: Using Acclimated Bacteria Isolated from Kansas Soil to Degrade Cryogrinds in Slurry" (2022). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1591.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1591