Biodegradation of Some Polynuclear Aromatic Petroleum Components by Marine Bacteria.

Abstract

The metabolism of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons was studied using gas chromatographic, thin-layer chromatographic, infrared and mass spectrometric techniques. Of six bacterial strains isolated from oil polluted estuarine water, all grew on naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene and 2-ethylnaphthalene as sole sources of carbon and energy. Several other alkyl naphthalenes were metabolized by various strains. Phenanthrene and anthracene were metabolized by three out of six organisms. Only one naphthalene-grown strain was able to metabolize other polyaromatic compounds, including acenaphthylene, biphenyl, fluorene and tetralin. The specificity of salicylate hydroxylase governs the utilization of several naphthalene derivatives while inability to oxidize naphthoic acids prevents growth on dimethylnaphthalenes.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 25, 1975
Accession Number
ADA006346

Entities

People

  • D. Dean-raymond
  • R. Bartha

Organizations

  • Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Aromatic Polycyclic Hydrocarbons
  • Bacteria
  • Biodegradation
  • Biphenyl
  • Cyclic Hydrocarbons
  • Fluorenes
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Microorganisms
  • Naphthalenes
  • Phenanthrenes
  • Prokaryotes
  • Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Organic Chemistry