Biodegradation of Crude Oil by the Action of Some Bacterial Species Isolated from Polluted Soils

Abstract

The important advantage of isolating microorganisms by the enrichment culture technique is mainly that it allows isolating and selecting microorganisms according to criteria and needs of the type of test in which they are used. The ability of bacterial strains to adapt and grow in culture media added with crude oil is mainly due, according to to the fact that there is a wide range of microorganisms with the ability to aerobically use various hydrocarbons, which constitute for microorganisms biodegradable a source of energy and carbon. The biodegradation technique is an extremely viable alternative for the biotreatment of environments contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. Biodegradation is the decomposition of an organic substance, such as oil, by the action of a living organism, usually a microorganism and, in particular, bacteria. It occurs in different stages depending on the nature and the hydrocarbon present. The hydrocarbons contained in the oil cause mortality in fish and other organisms, mainly affecting the activities of the fishing industry, as well as the trophic chains of the coastal and terrestrial zones, leading to serious ecological problems