Aquarium-based assessment of NONTOX® : testing the effectiveness and side effects in diesel-contaminated surface water

Contamination of surface waters with organic pollutants poses a significant environmental concern. In this study we evaluated a commercially available bio-catalytic formulation (NONTOX®) designed to enhance degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in surface waters by promoting the formation of micro-oxygen bubbles and stimulating biocatalytic activity. The presented research demonstrates effectiveness of NONTOX® to mobilize and degrade diesel, under the condition of aeration and sufficient availability of nitrate and phosphate. Side effects on EC, pH and oxygen are negligible under the conditions of these experiments. It should be noted that the these and other potential side effects should be tested under field conditions.