DISTRIBUTION OF MULTIPLE OIL TOLERANT AND OIL DEGRADING BACTERIA AROUND A SITE OF NATURAL CRUDE OIL SEEPAGE

摘要

Hydrocarbon degrading bacteria were isolated from the soil surrounding a natural seepage site of petroleum into freshwater. Thirty-six soil samples were collected at twelve locations and three depths over an area of about 36 m~2 centered around the freshwater basin. Twelve distinct isolates were identified to at least the genus level which were initially selected based on their petroleum tolerance, with seven of these found to be capable of utilizing crude oil or oil components as a sole carbon and energy source. There were statistically significant variations in the distribution of some organisms although this was not affected by the depth of sampling. The ability of each species to utilize specific fractions of hydrocarbons was also determined. The results indicate that the presence of a diverse petroleum utilizing bacterial community that exhibits considerable composition variation over relatively small geographic distances.