MICROBIAL DECOMPOSITION PATTERNS USING CRUDE OIL

A mixed culture of microorganisms, acclimated to decomposition of crude oil, was used in a series of incubation experiments to determine the sequence of microbial degradation in a Santa Barbara, California, crude oil. Microbial degradation of the crude oil is initially characterized by a rapid disappearance of the n-paraffin envelope. This degradation starts with the low molecular weight components and progresses toward the higher molecular weight compounds. The isoprenoids are also progressively reduced simultaneously with the reduction of the paraffins. In addition, the base envelope and fine fingerprint region subsequently undergo degradation and the base envelope becomes progressively skewed toward the higher molecular weight end of the chromatogram. Biodegradation of the Santa Barbara crude oil by a mixed microbial population was initiated simultaneously on all components, but the sequential patterns of decomposition were affected by rate differences.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Also included in Microbial Degradation of Oil Pollutants, Rept. no. LSU-SG-73-01, AD-760 716.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Southern California, Los Angeles

  Environmental Geology Program
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90007
• Authors:
  • Mechalas, B J
  • Meyers, T J
  • Kolpack, R L
• Publication Date: 1973

Media Info

• Pagination: 15 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biodeterioration; Gas chromatography; Water quality management
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00056740
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: NOAA-2-35227
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1974 12:00AM