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U.S. Department of Energy
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Aerobic biodegradation of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons by a bacterial community

Conference ·
OSTI ID:370435
;  [1];  [2]
  1. URA Univ., Talence (France)
  2. Institut Biologie Marine, Arcachon (France); and others
In organic geochemistry the distribution of alkylated aromatic compounds can characterize the origin or the thermal history of samples. For this type of study, there is a need for a better knowledge of the mechanisms that govern distribution of compounds in the sedimentary environment. Among several biotic and abiotic parameters, biodegradation has been proved to influence molecular patterns. In this work, the aerobic degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons by a community of bacteria sampled from a marine sediment and pure strains isolated from it, has been studied. The compounds were alkylated naphtalenes (N-), phenanthrenes (P-) or dibenzothiophenes (DBT-) used as pure substrates or as constituents of aromatic fractions obtained from crude oils. This community and the pure strains have demonstrated a good ability to use aromatic hydrocarbons as sole source of carbon (more than 80% of alkylated N, P- and DBT, have disappeared in 10 days). Differences in biodegradation rates have been observed depending on isomer structures and have evidenced isomer selectivity of biodegradation processes.
OSTI ID:
370435
Report Number(s):
CONF-960376--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English