ASSESSMENT OF BIODEGRADATION POTENTIAL FOR CONTROLLING OIL SPILLS ON THE HIGH SEAS

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.

• Corporate Authors:

  Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

  Department of Biochemistry
  Stillwater, OK  United States  74078
• Authors:
  • Friede, J
  • Guire, P
  • Cholson, R K
• Publication Date: 1972-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 139 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aromatic hydrocarbons; Bacteria; Biodeterioration; Decomposition; Deterioration; Food chain; Hydrocarbons; Microorganisms; Oceans; Oil spill cleanup; Oils; Oxidation; Paraffin; Temperature; Water pollution; Water quality management
• Uncontrolled Terms: Nutrients
• Old TRIS Terms: Alkanes; Alkenes; Aromatic polycyclic hydrocarbons; Cg; Composition chemistry; Oil degradation; Oil spill control; Pseudomonas
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00048070
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-20,260-A
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 14 1973 12:00AM