An increase in bacterial population was observed over time,
reaching a maximum of 10
10
MPN/mL for isolatesB. megaterium
(13 and 33 days), B. cibi(33 days), P. aeruginosa(40 days), and
the bacterial consortium (28, 33 and 40 days), as well as a maximum of 108
MPN/mL for isolatesS. acidaminiphila(33 days) and
B. cereus(23 days). The bacterial population increase indicated that
the oily sludge, used as the sole carbon source, stimulated the
growth and metabolism of different isolates.