Degradation of hydrocarbons in crude oil by pure bacterial cultures under different redox conditions
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Nitrate-reducing bacterial strains (Pseudomonas sp. BS2201, BS2203, and Brevibacillus sp. BS2202) were used to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The strains degraded 20-25% of the total extractable material (TEM) under aerobic conditions (a 10 day study in liquid media), including 90-95% of all alkanes analyzed (N-C10-C35). Under anaerobic conditions (a 50 day investigation) the organisms degraded 15-18% of the TEM, 20-25% of some alkanes, and 15-18% of selected PAH. The microorganisms also degraded saturated hydrocarbons without nitrates as electron acceptors.