[Biodegradability of Erika fuel oil]

The biodegradation of the fuel oil resulting from the Erika wreck was studied by computerized gas chromatography in laboratory cultures over 80 days. The total extent of biodegradation was around 11%. The degraded compounds were the molecules of the light cracking fraction used to dilute the distillation residue, as well as n-alkanes and part of the branched alkanes. Part of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAH and alkyl PAH was also degraded. The very low biodegradability of the Erika fuel is attributable to its chemical composition. The product is rich in components that are inherently resistant or refractory to microbial metabolism such as resins, asphaltenes and polycyclic saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons.