Effect of South Louisiana Crude Oil and Number 2 Fuel Oil on Growth of Heterotrophic Microorganisms, Including Proteolytic, Lipolytic, Chitinolytic and Cellulolytic Bacteria.

摘要

Muddy Creek, a sub-estuary of the Rhode River in Chesapeake Bay, was examined to determine the susceptibility of the autochthonous microorganisms to South Louisiana crude oil and No. 2 fuel oil. Muddy Creek sediment was found to be free of contaminating oil. Crude and fuel oil induced little noticeable effect on the yeast and fungi populations, whereas the crude oil was found to support growth of bacteria and the fuel oil to limit such bacterial growth. Normalising the values with reference to the control culture revealed that both the crude and fuel oils were toxic for the bacteria. The crude oil showed greater toxicity. (Author)