Embora os ftalatos sejam um dos poluentes mais frequentemente encontrados no meio ambiente, há escassez de dados na literatura sobre biorremediação de solos tropicais contaminados por esses compostos. Por esse motivo, este estudo avaliou a biorremediação de um solo contaminado com os plastificantes DEHP (Bis-2-etilhexilftalato), DIDP (Di-isodecilftalato) e álcool isobutílico, por uma indústria no Estado de São Paulo. A biorremediação ocorreu pela utilização de microrganismos presentes no solo e pela adição de inóculo adaptado em reator em fase de lama. O reator foi monitorado durante 120 dias, sendo corrigida apenas a umidade do solo. Os resultados indicaram que a biodegradação dos ftalatos seguiu uma cinética de primeira ordem e a biorremediação ocorreu na faixa de pH entre 7,4 e 8,4 e temperaturas entre 17 e 25 ºC, com eficiência de remoção de contaminantes acima de 70 %. Após 120 dias, o teor de DEHP estava abaixo de 4 mg kg-1, limite estipulado pela legislação brasileira para solo de uso residencial.

Although phthalates are among the most common pollutants found in the environment, there are little data about bioremediation of tropical soils contaminated with phthalates. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the bioremediation of an industrially used soil contaminated with Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and isobutanol, in São Paulo State. The bioremediation was based on indigenous soil microorganisms and inoculum adapted in a slurry phase reactor. The reactor was monitored for 120 days and the moisture content adjusted. The results showed that biodegradation of phthalates followed first-order kinetics, and bioremediation occurred in a pH range of 7.4 to 8.4, at temperatures from 17 to 25 ºC and the phthalate removal efficiency was above 70 %. The final DEHP concentration was below 4.0 mg kg-1 dry soil, which is the threshold established by Brazilian law, for soil in residential areas.

The adipic and phthalic acid esters are plasticizers, have low water solubility, high partition octanol/water coefficients (Kow) and accumulate in soil and sediments. These compounds are considered teratogenic, carcinogenic and endocrine disruptors chemicals. This study evaluated the bioremediation of tropical soil contaminated with plasticizers process wastes, in aerobic conditions, with and without introduction of acclimated bacteria. It was selected 200 kg of contaminated tropical soil for the biodegradation study. The plasticizers concentrations in soil ranged between 153 mgDOA/kg up to 15552 mgDIDP/kg and after 90 days of biodegradation, the lower removal efficiencies were 72% with a 1-2 log simultaneous bacterial growth.