Microbial Ecology Studies of the Metula Spill in the Straits of Magellan

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-580 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Colwell ◽  
A. L. Mills ◽  
J. D. Walker ◽  
P. Garcia-Tello ◽  
V. Campos-P.
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spills ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
Degrading Bacteria ◽  
Cold Tolerant ◽  
Term Basis ◽  
Spilled Oil ◽  
Straits Of Magellan

The grounding of the tanker V.L.C.C. Metula in the Straits of Magellan in August 1974 provided a unique opportunity to study a massive spill in a cold region on a long-term basis. Removal of spilled oil from the Metula was solely by in situ physiochemical and biological mechanisms. Microbiological studies undertaken in May 1976 showed increased heterotrophic bacterial populations at oil-impacted sites. A cold-tolerant population of petroleum degrading bacteria was observed. From biodegradation studies, we concluded that oil degradation under in situ conditions proceeds relatively slowly, with marked persistence of Metula oil in the Straits of Magellan 2 yr after the original spill. Key words: petroleum degradation, oil spills, Straits of Magellan, microbial degradation of oil, Metula

scholarly journals Corksorb Enhances Alkane Degradation by Hydrocarbonoclastic Bacteria

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valdo R. Martins ◽  
Carlos J. B. Freitas ◽  
A. Rita Castro ◽  
Rita M. Silva ◽  
Eduardo J. Gudiña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spills ◽  
Cell Attachment ◽  
Rhodococcus Opacus ◽  
Alkane Degradation ◽  
Hydrocarbonoclastic Bacteria ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Degrading Bacteria ◽  
Spilled Oil ◽  
Microscopy Images

Biosorbent materials are effective in the removal of spilled oil from water, but their effect on hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria is not known. Here, we show that corksorb, a cork-based biosorbent, enhances growth and alkane degradation by Rhodococcus opacus B4 (Ro) and Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2 (Ab). Ro and Ab degraded 96 ± 1% and 72 ± 2%, respectively, of a mixture of n-alkanes (2 g L–1) in the presence of corksorb. These values represent an increase of 6 and 24%, respectively, relative to the assays without corksorb. The biosorbent also increased the growth of Ab by 51%. However, no significant changes were detected in the expression of genes involved in alkane uptake and degradation in the presence of corksorb relative to the control without the biosorbent. Nevertheless, transcriptomics analysis revealed an increased expression of rRNA and tRNA coding genes, which confirms the higher metabolic activity of Ab in the presence of corksorb. The effect of corksorb is not related to the release of soluble stimulating compounds, but rather to the presence of the biosorbent, which was shown to be essential. Indeed, scanning electron microscopy images and downregulation of pili formation coding genes, which are involved in cell mobility, suggest that cell attachment on corksorb is a determinant for the improved activity. Furthermore, the existence of native alkane-degrading bacteria in corksorb was revealed, which may assist in situ bioremediation. Hence, the use of corksorb in marine oil spills may induce a combined effect of sorption and stimulated biodegradation, with high potential for enhancing in situ bioremediation processes.

Application of modified ADM1 to long-term experiments for methane/hydrogen production from model organic waste

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Soda ◽  
K. Wada ◽  
M. Okuda ◽  
M. Ike
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Methane Production ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Degradation Pathways ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Degrading Bacteria ◽  
Production Experiment ◽  
Methane Production Rate ◽  
Simulation Results

The modified ADM1 including lactate and ethanol was verified using experimental data for methane/hydrogen production processes from model organic waste. Monosaccharides were presumably degraded into acetate, lactate, butyrate, and ethanol; lactate is further degraded into propionate and acetate; ethanol is degraded into acetate. The methane production experiment was carried out using an 8-L reactor operated at 55°C, pH 6.8, and sludge retention time (SRT) of 7–20 days for 370 days. Concentrations of carbohydrates, monosaccharides, butyrate, propionate, valerate, acetate, and the methane production rate were simulated well by the modified ADM1. The ratio of degradation pathways from monosaccharides to acetate, lactate, butyrate, and ethanol were inferred, respectively, to be 0.4, 0.6, 0.0, and 0.0. The hydrogen production experiment was carried out using a 2-L (1.5L) reactor operated at 35°C, pH 6.0-6.5, and SRT of 0.5–2.0 days for 370 days. The simulation results suggested that all bacterial populations except the sugar-degrading bacteria were washed out from the reactor because of the short SRT. The respective ratios of degradation pathways from monosaccharides to acetate, lactate, propionate, and ethanol were inferred to be 0.55, 0.0, 0.4, and 0.05 at pH 6.5 and 0.7, 0.2, 0.05 and 0.05 at pH 6.0.

Recent Results from Oil Spill Response Research

1991 ◽  
Vol 1991 (1) ◽  
pp. 673-676
Author(s):  
Edward Tennyson
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Yield Information ◽  
Environmental Test ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT Recent large oil spills from tankers have reaffirmed the need for continuing technology assessment and research to improve oil-spill response capabilities. The Minerals Management Service (MMS) remains a lead agency in conducting these studies. This paper discusses MMS concerns, as reinforced by the acceleration of its research program in 1990. It briefly assesses the current state-of-the-art technology for major aspects of spill response, including remote sensing, open-ocean containment, recovery, in-situ burning, chemical treating agents, beach-line cleanup, and oil behavior. The paper reports on specific research projects that have begun to yield information that will improve detection and at-sea equipment performance. The first detection project, for which MMS has patent pending, involves the use of shipboard navigational radar to track slicks at relatively long range. The second project involves the use of conventional containment and cleanup in a downwind mode, which is contrary to the traditional procedures. The paper also discusses current research projects, including the development of an airborne, laser-assisted fluorosensor that can determine whether apparent slicks contain oil. Additional projects involve the development of improved strategies for responding to oil in broken-ice conditions, for gaining an improved understanding of the fate and behavior of spilled oil as it affects response strategies, and for reopening and operating the oil and hazardous materials simulated environmental test tank (OHMSETT) facility in Leonardo, New Jersey. Recent progress on the development of safe and environmentally acceptable strategies to burn spilled oil in-situ is also discussed. The OHMSETT facility is necessary for testing prospective improvements in chemical treating agents and to develop standard procedures for testing and evaluating response equipment.

scholarly journals Phenylobacterium Korensee Best Indigenous Petroleum Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria Isolated from Contaminated Soil of Bahror, Alwar Region, India

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (08) ◽  
pp. 20203-20211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohan Lal Kuri ◽  
Vidhya Kumari ◽  
Shikha Roy
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Engine Oil ◽  
Contaminated Site ◽  
Spectroscopy Analysis ◽  
Global Issue ◽  
Degrading Bacteria ◽  
Term Basis ◽  
Agar Media ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy

Contamination of soil, water and air due to hydrocarbons are a global issue and bioremediation provides probably the best way to remediate the contaminants. The current study shows the biodegradation of crude oil, diesel and used engine oil by a newly isolated Phenylobacterium korensee from contaminated soil of Bahror, Alwar, Rajasthan. Hydrocarbon degrading strain was screened on BHA (Bushnell Haas Agar) media supplemented with 2T engine oil as sole carbon source. The strain was found to be degrading at 1%, 4% and 10% of used 2T engine oil respectively after 14 days. Degradation was confirmed both gravimetrically and by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy analysis. The degradation was found very well at long term basis. The optimization of growth also studied at temperature and pH basis also. The significance of the study is that the percentage degradation of the complex petroleum supplements used in the study was found to be far higher than some of the previously reported values and this bacterial strain was firstly found from this contaminated site.

scholarly journals Phytoindication of environmental mutagenesis in the in-situ conditions using the pollen of selected species of native flora

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karol Mičieta
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Heavy Load ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
Environmental Mutagenesis ◽  
Term Monitoring ◽  
Long Term Experience

The aim of this study is to provide an effective method for indicating ecogenotoxicity in the environment using pollen grains and microspores of selected species of the native flora in the in situ conditions. In the report, we summarize the results of long-term experience with the benefits of native flora species as bioindicators of polluted environments. We present the current results of long-term monitoring of phytoindication of ecogenotoxicity in Bratislava and selected traffic junctions in Slovakia. The increase of pollen grain abortion in the group of localities exposed to a heavy load of traffic pollution demonstrates the ecogenotoxic impact of traffic emissions in the environment. The detailed practical methodological tools and possible difficulties with the classification of abortivity of microspores and pollen grains of these plant species are discussed.

RESULTS FROM OIL SPILL RESPONSE RESEARCH—AN UPDATE

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 (1) ◽  
pp. 541-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J. Tennyson
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Oil Spills ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Response Strategies ◽  
Yield Information ◽  
Broken Ice ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Ice Conditions ◽  
Spilled Oil

ABSTRACT Recent large oil spills from tankers have reaffirmed the need for continuing technology assessment and research to improve oil spill response capabilities. This paper discusses Minerals Management Service concerns, as reinforced by the acceleration of its research program in 1990. It briefly assesses current state-of-the-art technology for major aspects of spill response, including remote sensing, open-ocean containment and recovery, in-situ burning, use of chemical treating agents, beachline cleanup, and oil behavior. Specific research projects have begun to yield information that will improve detection and at-sea equipment performance; current projects, include the development of an airborne laser-fluorosensor to determine whether apparent slicks contain oil. Additional projects involve the development of improved strategies for responding to oil in broken-ice conditions, for gaining an improved understanding of the fate and behavior of spilled oil as it affects response strategies, and for defining the capabilities of available dispersants and development of improved formulations. Recently progress has been made on the development of safe and environmentally acceptable strategies to burn spilled oil in situ. The Ohmsett facility has been reopened and will be used to test prospective improvements in chemical treating agents and to develop standard procedures for testing and evaluating response equipment. Results of research published since the last Oil Spill Conference are discussed.

scholarly journals A new Apparatus for Long-term Petrophysical Investigations on Geothermal Reservoir Rocks at Simulated In-situ Conditions

2007 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald H. Milsch ◽  
Erik Spangenberg ◽  
Johannes Kulenkampff ◽  
Steffi Meyhöfer
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Reservoir ◽  
Reservoir Rocks ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
New Apparatus
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