MICROBIAL ECOLOGY OF PETROLEUM UTILIZATION IN CHESAPEAKE BAY

Analysis of water and sediment from two stations in Chesapeake Bay revealed four to five times the concentration of petroleum in an oil polluted site in Baltimore Harbor as compared to the control, Eastern Bay. The numbers of petroleum-degrading microorganisms in water and sediment samples were relative to the oil concentration of each sample. Total yields of petroleum-degrading microorganisms grown in an oil substrate were greater for those exposed to oil in the environment. Isolates from the oil contaminated environment produces cell yields in laboratory conditions and equaled those not previously exposed to oil at optimum growth condition. Isolates from Baltimore Harbor grew on substrates representative of aliphatic, aromatic and refractory hydrocarbons. Degradation in the Chesapeake Bay appears to be mediated by autochthorous microbial flora.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Maryland, College Park

  Department of Microbiology
  College Park, MD  United States  20742
• Authors:
  • Walker, J D
  • Colwell, R R
• Publication Date: 1974-1-14

Media Info

• Pagination: 6 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biodeterioration; Energy consumption; Pollutants; Water quality management
• Old TRIS Terms: Hydrocarbon utilization
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00084479
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: University of Maryland, College Park
• Report/Paper Numbers: Tech. Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: N00014-67A-0239-0027
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 1 1975 12:00AM