In laboratory microcosms, we studied the survival and catabolic activity of cryogel-immobilized and free
Rhodococcus strains introduced into loam soil freshly contaminated with crude oil, mimicking spill
situation. Inoculated Rhodococcus erythropolis and Rhodococcus ruber were monitored in soil and
poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel granules by selective agar plating and species-specific PCR. Introduced Rhodococcus
cultures survived successively in oil-contaminated soil for 14 months. Moreover, immobilized
cells demonstrated higher viability under soil desiccation conditions compared to free cells. Soil
microcosms with immobilized Rhodococcus cells respired more actively than control (non-inoculated)
and liquid culture-amended soils; that was in a good correlation with greater oil degradation rates in
immobilized systems.