The biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants in open systems,
such as oceans, is generally limited by the availability of utilizable nitrogen and
phosphorus sources. Here the authors demonstrate the potential of overcoming
this problem with guano as the fertilizer. In the first set of experiments, the
principle and conditions for growing bacteria on a water insoluble fertilizer
was established, using uric acid as the nitrogen source and a pure culture of
an isolated hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium, Alcanivorax sp. OK2. Using a
simulated open system, it was demonstrated that uric acid (the major nitrogen
component of guano) binds to crude oil and is available for the growth of
strain OK2 and petroleum degradation. In the second set of experiments, using
a simulated open system, it was demonstrated that commercial guano was an
effective source of nitrogen and phosphorus for the growth of marine bacteria
on crude oil. Bacterial cultures reached over 108 cells per ml and 70% of the
crude oil was degraded. Controls using ammonium sulfate and phosphate in
place of guano in the simulated open system reached only 106 cells per ml and
showed no detectable hydrocarbon degradation. Isolation and characterization
of the bacteria in the crude oil/guano cultures indicated that they were primarily
strains of Alcanivorax and Alteromonas.
The biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants in open systems,such as oceans, is generally limited by the availability of utilizable nitrogen andphosphorus sources. Here the authors demonstrate the potential of overcomingthis problem with guano as the fertilizer. In the first set of experiments, theprinciple and conditions for growing bacteria on a water insoluble fertilizerwas established, using uric acid as the nitrogen source and a pure culture ofan isolated hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium, Alcanivorax sp. OK2. Using asimulated open system, it was demonstrated that uric acid (the major nitrogencomponent of guano) binds to crude oil and is available for the growth ofstrain OK2 and petroleum degradation. In the second set of experiments, usinga simulated open system, it was demonstrated that commercial guano was aneffective source of nitrogen and phosphorus for the growth of marine bacteriaon crude oil. Bacterial cultures reached over 108 cells per ml and 70% of thecrude oil was degraded. Controls using ammonium sulfate and phosphate inplace of guano in the simulated open system reached only 106 cells per ml andshowed no detectable hydrocarbon degradation. Isolation and characterizationof the bacteria in the crude oil/guano cultures indicated that they were primarilystrains of Alcanivorax and Alteromonas.
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