BIODEGRADATION OF OIL SLICKS IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
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)
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Corporate Authors:
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
33 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ United States 08901 -
Authors:
- Bartha, Richard
- Publication Date: 1970-12
Media Info
- Pagination: 13 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Biodeterioration; Oil spill cleanup; Oil spills
- Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00015264
- Record Type: Publication
- Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
- Report/Paper Numbers: TR-1 Tech Rpt
- Contract Numbers: N00014-67-A-01150005
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: May 13 1973 12:00AM