Biodegradation of Oil Slicks in the Marine Environment.
Abstract
Liquid-liquid extraction and gas chromatographic techniques were tested and standardized for recovery and quantitative measurement of partially biodegraded crude oil and of individual hydrocarbons. A 'model petroleum' has been formulated from a limited number of chemically defined aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons as an aid for the interpretation of biodegradative changes that occur in complex crude oils. Various methods and devices were tested for containment and recovery of small experimental oil slicks in field studies. A device consisting of large-diameter vertical glass tubes held in a partially submerged position by a styrofoam float has been developed and tested. On sea salts media with individual hydrocarbons or with crude oils as the sole added carbon sources 40 strains of oil-degrading marine microorganisms have been isolated in pure culture. The substrate range of these organisms was evaluated on two types of crude oil and on 11 aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic compounds supported the growth of most of the isolated cultures, but the substrate range of several organisms included also alicyclic and aromatic compounds. In laboratory tests, several isolates were able to degrade 35-40% of Sweden crude added to a sea salts solution in 1% by volume concentration. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0715801
Entities
People
- Richard Bartha
Organizations
- Rutgers University–New Brunswick