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Hydrocarbon biodegradation in hypersaline environments.

D M Ward1, T D Brock

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59715.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|February 1, 1978
PubMed
Summary
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Metabolic rates of microorganisms significantly decrease in high-salinity environments, impacting the biodegradation of compounds like mineral oil and hydrocarbons. This study questions the microbial breakdown of substances in hypersaline conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Extremophile studies

Background:

  • Hypersaline environments harbor unique microbial communities.
  • Understanding microbial metabolism in extreme salinities is crucial for biogeochemical cycling.
  • Hydrocarbon biodegradation is vital for environmental remediation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of varying salinity on microbial metabolism of specific compounds.
  • To assess the potential for biodegradation of hydrocarbons in hypersaline ecosystems.
  • To determine the salinity threshold for microbial utilization of mineral oil.

Main Methods:

  • Incubation of natural samples with mineral oil, hexadecane, and glutamate across a salinity gradient (3.3% to 28.4%).
  • Measurement of metabolic rates using radiolabeled substrates (l-[U-C]glutamic acid, [1-C]hexadecane).

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  • Gas chromatography analysis of tar samples and enrichment cultures.

    • Main Results:

    • Metabolic rates of tested compounds decreased significantly with increasing salinity.
    • Limited oxidation of glutamate observed at extreme salinities; hexadecane oxidation was undetectable.
    • No evidence of biological oxidation of isoprenoid alkanes in Great Salt Lake tar samples.
    • Successful enrichment of mineral oil-utilizing microorganisms only below approximately 20% salinity.

    Conclusions:

    • Extreme salinity generally reduces microbial metabolic rates.
    • Biodegradation of hydrocarbons in hypersaline environments is likely limited.
    • Salinity is a critical factor controlling microbial activity and hydrocarbon fate in salt lakes.