Effects of Pollutants on Microbial Activities in Estuarine Surface Films

摘要

Samples of inshore surface films from Escambia Bay, Florida and from sites in the North Sea yielded populations of aerobic, heterotrophic microorganisms up to 10 to the 8th power per ml or 1,000,000 per sq. cm. Hydrocarbonoclastic organisms were in relatively low populations. A comparison of species of yeasts prevalent in North Sea waters before and after oil production activities indicated a shift to a more widespread distribution of hydrocarbonoclastic forms with possible inhibition of a non-hydrocarbon utilizing species. Examination of various hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds with the potential of being sequestered in natural films indicated that 66% could potentially alter microbial metabolic processes in the slick. In microcosm studies of estuarine systems representative compounds demonstrated a selective effect for microfungi.