Study of ecological inhibition of sulfate-reducing bacterial activity and associated population succession in oilfield flooding water

Bin-song Wang1, Li Wei2, Chun-ying Li3, Jie Zhang4, Peng Ao5

1 Heilongjiang University, Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Engineer, 150080 Harbin, China
2 State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, 150090 Harbin, China
3 Harbin University of Commerce, School of Energy and Civil Engineering, 150028 Harbin, China
4 Northeast Forestry University, College of Life Sciences, 150040 Harbin, China
5 Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, 150040 Harbin, China

Abstract


In the conventional water flooding process of Daqing Oilfield in China, the occurrence of abundant sulfate-reducing bacterial populations has substantially affected the industrial production. This study was conducted from the perspective of ecological suppression by operating anaerobic ABR reactors and dosing ecological inhibitors in a continuous-flow experiment. The practical operating efficacy was investigated and associated dynamic bacterial population succession was analyzed. Results showed that the sulfate removal rate decreased upon the addition of eco-inhibitor, leading to a low concentration of sulfide products (<0.3 mg/L). Associated redox potential substantially varied from 300 mV to approximately 50 mV, whereas the pH and alkalinity slightly changed and imposed a minor effect on the reaction system. There were significant changes in microbial diversity before and after the eco-suppression, and dominant functional bacterial populations shifted from sulfate-reducing bacteria (Thauera selenatis, Desulfovibrio sp., Clostridium diolis Hydrogenophaga taeniospiralis) to those capable of denitrification (Uncultured firmicute, Clostridium butyricum, Paenibacillus lautus, Arcobacter cibarius). These indicated that the utilization of eco-inhibitor has successfully inhibited the sulfate-reducing bacterial activities.

Keywords


conventional water flooding process; community succession; ecological inhibition; efficacy; sulfate-reducing bacteria

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