Dynamic of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteriocenosis of an Experimental Oil Pollution on Patagonic Soil.

PERESSUTTI SR,; ALVAREZ, H. M.; PUCCI OH,

INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION

Elsevier Science

Lugar: USA; Año: 2003 vol. 52 p. 21 - 30

0964-8305

Abstract Changes ofthe bacteriocenosis in oil polluted Patagonian soil were studied during a bioremediation process performed in a controlled laboratory experiment. A selective enrichment ofhydrocarbon-degrading bacteria was observed, from 0.028% at the beginning ofthe assay to almost 100% 2 months after spillage. During the experiment 45.48% of oil was degraded. Signi4cant correlation between crude oil, aliphatic, aromatic and asphaltic fractions, and the bacteria able to utilize such hydrocarbons was observed. Both the asphaltenes fraction and asphaltene-degrading bacteria increased throughout the assay, suggesting a biological transformation of hydrocarbons in compounds ofhigher complexity. In addition, important variations in the physiological and taxonomic diversity ofthe bacteriocenosis were detected. After oil pollution, representative strains of the bacterial community exhibited the ability to metabolize a broad spectrum of hydrocarbons. During the 4rst 5 months ofthe experiment a predominance ofGram negative bacteria was found and, subsequently, Gram positive microorganisms increased. Some ofthe isolated bacteria, such as members of Rhodococcus genus, displayed a wide potential for hydrocarbon biodegradation and persistence in the studied environment. These results indicate the importance ofautochthonous bacteria for hydrocarbon-polluted soil bioremediation.Rhodococcus genus, displayed a wide potential for hydrocarbon biodegradation and persistence in the studied environment. These results indicate the importance ofautochthonous bacteria for hydrocarbon-polluted soil bioremediation.