Continuous open flow-through system as a model for oil degradation in the Arctic Ocean

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7219282

Horowitz, A; Atlas, R M

A continuous flow-through system incubated in situ was used to model oil biodegradation in Arctic coastal waters. High numbers of oil-degrading microorganisms were found in the Arctic coastal waters examined in this study. The microbial community underlying oil slicks increased and showed a population shift to a greater percentage of hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms. Microbial populations and oil biodegradation were increased by the addition of nitrogen and phosphorus. Both abiotic and biodegradative losses were lower than expected, perhaps due to the unusually harsh, ice-dominated Arctic summer, during which these tests were conducted. Chromatographic and spectrometric analyses showed that residual oils contained similar percentages of individual components and classes of hydrocarbons, regardless of the amount of degradation, indicating that most components of the oil were being degraded at similar rates.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Louisville, KY
• OSTI ID: 7219282
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Journal Name: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States) Vol. 33:3; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900* -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400100 -- Analytical & Separations Chemistry
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ARCTIC OCEAN
BIODEGRADATION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COASTAL WATERS
COMMUNITIES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DECOMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROCARBONS
INCUBATION
MICROORGANISMS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
OIL SPILLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PHOSPHORUS
SEAS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPECTROSCOPY
SURFACE WATERS