Microbial Control of the Concentrations of Dissolved Aquatic Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbon oxidizing bacteria have a major effect on the chemistry of natural water systems, particularly with increased inputs of anthropogenic petroleum products. We review the basic kinetics helpful in understanding the equilibrium between nutrient concentrations and microbial populations, and describe some techniques useful in establishing that equilibrium with emphasis on hydrocarbons. Topics include oil spills, naturally occurring hydrocarbons such as terpenes, and some peculiarities of the metabolism of these hydrophilic solutes, isolation of ambient hydrocarbon-using bacteria, liberation of partly oxidized products of their metabolism, some environmental effects, and presumed peculiarities of the associated membrane transport mechanisms. Analysis techniques include radionuclide methods, autoradiography, microbial isolations and identification, quantitative high-resolution flow cytometry, and methods for tracking down the sources of aquatic hydrocarbons. The need for improved instrumentation and theoretical approaches is demonstrated.
Source: Springer protocols feed by Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Source Type: news