BIOLOGICAL DEGRADATION OF HYDROCARBONS IN WATER

The growth of Pseudomonas aeruginoss on n-heptane was found to be exponential only at low cell concentrations (1 gm/1). The change from exponential to linear growth rate occurs when dissolved oxygen is well above the critical value. The data fit the mathematical model for homogeneous kinetics developed by Dunn in 1958. They suggest that heptane is used in dissolved form rather than by direct contact between microorganism and hydrocarbon droplet. A decrease in interfacial tension during growth is attributed to the production of a surface tension depressant by the organism. Increased solubility of the hydrocarbon as a result of its production may account for the high growth rate observed on this substrate of low solubility.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Technical Completion Report
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Rhode Island, Kingston

  Department of Microbiology
  Kingston, RI  United States  02881
• Authors:
  • Houston, C W
• Publication Date: 1974-1-31

Media Info

• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biodeterioration; Hydrocarbons; Metabolism; Microorganisms; Water quality management
• Old TRIS Terms: Hydrocarbon metabolism
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00071740
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: DI-14-31-0001-3640
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 20 1974 12:00AM