Assessment of Biodegradation Potential for Controlling Oil Spills on the High Seas.

Abstract

The report reviews the available literature on the biodegradation of oil, and the opinions of researchers in areas bearing on this problem. The types and composition of petroleum is discussed, the mechanisms of hydrocarbon oxidation is described including the oil oxidizing microorganisms. Factors influencing the rate of degradation of oil, the fate of biodegraded oil, the effects on the marine food chain, the practical limitations of biodegradation of oil and recommendations for additional research needed to further clarify the problem are included.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1972
Accession Number
AD0759848

Entities

People

  • John Friede
  • Patrick Guire
  • Robert K. Cholson

Organizations

  • Oklahoma State University–Stillwater

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biodegradation
  • Degradation
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Environmental Protection
  • Food Chains
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Literature
  • Microorganisms
  • Oil Spills
  • Oxidation
  • Petroleum

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Marine Ecotoxicology
  • Theoretical Analysis.