Bacteria used to break down crude oil
Date posted: 09 Sep 2009
Microbiologists have developed a method of removing toxic compounds from crude oil and tar sands using microbes.
Acidic compounds often persist in the environment and take up to ten years to break down.
But scientists from the University of Essex have successfully used a mixed consortia of bacteria to reduce the degradation process to just a few days.
This could help to reduce the high concentration of toxic by-products usually produced in the oil refining procedure.
Microbiologists have developed a method of removing toxic compounds from crude oil and tar sands using microbes.
Acidic compounds often persist in the environment and take up to ten years to break down.
But scientists from the University of Essex have successfully used a mixed consortia of bacteria to reduce the degradation process to just a few days.
This could help to reduce the high concentration of toxic by-products usually produced in the oil refining procedure.
Richard Johnson presented his findings to the Society for General Microbiology at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
He explained: "The microbes could completely break down the [chemical structure] varieties with few branches very quickly.
"However, other more complex naphthenic acids did not break down completely, with the breakdown products still present."
Research published earlier this year in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution, researchers from the Chinese Wuhan University indicated that bacteria in chicken manure can be used to biodegrade crude oil.
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