MICROBIAL BIODETERIORATION OF ASPHALT AND RELATED HYDROCARBONS--A LITERATURE REVIEW

A survey of the literature related to microbial biodeterioration of asphalt and related hydrocarbons revealed European reports as early as 1895. U.S. studies related to microbial utilization of hydrocarbons date back to about 1940. Later many studies demonstrated microbial utilization of asphalt and related hydrocarbons, particularly the petroleum hydrocarbons. These studies show a fairly large number of microorganisms capable of utilizing asphalt and related hydrocarbons. The microorganisms are normal inhabitants of the soil and often belong to the following genera: Pseudomonas, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium, Mycobacterium, Corynebacterium, etc. Many studies indicate that the microorganisms prefer low molecular paraffinic hycrocarbons for their growth and activity. Most of the asphalt used in the U.S. is of petroleum origin with greater amounts of paraffins than natural asphalts. This increases their vulnerability to microbial attack. The intensity of microbial attack depends on the types of microorganisms, moisture, temperature, oxygen, pH, composition of asphalt, etc. Under favorable conditions, microbial activity could cause rapid oxidation of hydrocarbons but usually any effect on roads would take decades. Several investigators gave specificities relating to bacterial types and described the type of asphalt used in the study. There is some indication that microbial activity can cause changes in the rheological characteristics of asphalt. Bacteria are adaptive, hence bacterial infestations are hard to suppress. The literature surveyed did not reveal any universal panacea for suppression. (FHWA)

• Corporate Authors:

  Kansas Department of Transportation

  Materials and Research Center, 2300 Van Buren Street
  Topeka, KS  United States  66611

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ramamurti, K
  • Jayaprakash, G P
  • Crumpton, C F
• Publication Date: 1984-4

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 46 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; Bacteria; Biodegradability; Hydrocarbons; Microorganisms; Paraffin; Petroleum; Reviews
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00387783
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-KS-84-1 Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: Study 84-1
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 28 1984 12:00AM