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Microbial communities in petroleum-contaminated sites: Structure and metabolisms
Lucélia Cabral1, Patricia Giovanella2, Elisa Pais Pellizzer1
1Laboratório de Micologia Ambiental e Industrial (LAMAI), Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
Chemosphere
|August 24, 2021
Summary
Bioremediation uses microbes to degrade petroleum contaminants in soil and water. This review covers microbial responses and experiments, highlighting their role in environmental recovery from oil spills.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Hydrocarbon contamination from crude oil and petroleum is a significant environmental issue in soil and water.
- Bioremediation is a promising eco-friendly approach, utilizing microorganisms to degrade pollutants.
- Microorganisms play a crucial role in stabilizing oil-impacted environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on natural microbial community responses to petroleum contamination.
- To summarize bioremediation experiments using petroleum and chemical dispersants in various environmental matrices.
- To explore metabolic pathways and genetic mechanisms involved in petroleum biodegradation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of natural microbial communities using DNA barcoding, multiomics, and functional gene markers.
- Review of microcosm and mesocosm experiments assessing bioremediation effectiveness.
- Examination of metabolic pathways for aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation.
Main Results:
- Natural microbial communities exhibit distinct responses to petroleum contamination and dispersants.
- Bioremediation experiments demonstrate the potential of microorganisms in degrading hydrocarbons in soil, sediment, and water.
- Key functional genes and metabolic pathways facilitate petroleum biodegradation.
Conclusions:
- Microbial communities are vital for the natural attenuation and bioremediation of petroleum pollutants.
- Understanding microbial responses and metabolic pathways enhances the efficacy of bioremediation strategies.
- Bioremediation offers a sustainable solution for mitigating oil contamination in diverse environmental settings.
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