Fate and effects of oil pollutants in extremely cold marine environments. Annual report for 1974

Technical Report · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1974

OSTI ID:6894476

Atlas, R M

The biodegradability of different crude oils depended on their composition and temperature. Heavier oils were more resistant to biodegradation, but lighter oils, while more susceptible to degradation at warm tempertures, contained volatile components that inhibited crude oil mineralization at reduced temperatures. It was possible to stimulate degradation of Prudhoe crude oil by fertilization and microbial seeding. Success of stimulated biodegradation depended on providing sufficient nutrients for extensive microbial metabolism in an oleophilic form and on the presence of appropriate oil degrading microorganisms for the given ecosystem. Microbial degradation did not increase toxicity to invertebrate test organisms. Amphipods were only killed by direct physical contact with oil slicks. The seed Pseudomonas sp. was not pathogenic or toxic to the bioassay organisms. Petroleum was found to inhibit microbial photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, but not respiration. Chronically polluted areas had abnormally high numbers of fungi and low numbers of bacteria. Pristine Alaskan waters all contained microorganisms capable of oil biodegradation.

• Research Organization: Louisville Univ., KY (USA); Office of Naval Research, Arlington, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6894476
• Report Number(s): AD/A-003554
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ARCTIC REGIONS
BACTERIA
BIOASSAY
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ECOSYSTEMS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
FUNGI
MICROORGANISMS
OIL SPILLS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLANTS
POLAR REGIONS
POLLUTION
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TOXICITY
WATER POLLUTION