Arctic Microbes Biodegrade Diesel and Oil

Marine Microorganisms in Canadian Arctic Capable of Biodegrading Diesel and Oil

Marine bacteria in the icy waters of the Canadian Arctic are capable of biodegrading oil and also diesel fuel, according to a brand-new study released in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

Genomic sequencing exposed unexpected potential for hydrocarbon bioremediation in lineages of bacteria including Paraperlucidibaca, Cycloclasticus, and Zhongshania, claimed coauthor Casey Hubert, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geomicrobiology, University of Calgary. These “may represent pivotal players in response to Arctic marine oil spills.”

“The research additionally confirmed that giving nutrients can boost hydrocarbon biodegradation under these low-temperature level circumstances,” stated Dr. Hubert.

The inspiration for this work: “These permanently frigid waters are seeing rising industrial activity correlated to maritime shipping and offshore oil as well as gas industry activities,” stated Dr. Hubert.

Sean Murphy, Dr. Hubert’s pupil, who grew up in the area, incited the project. Mr. Murphy, Aquatic Researcher, and ERM Canada had noted both the advantage offshore oil had actually brought to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, yet had been deeply bothered by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and had concentrated his master’s research on the Labrador Sea to “assist in notifying future crude spill mitigation methods at cool temperatures in the area.”

The Labrador coast ,where the study happened, is essential for Indigenous people who count on the ocean for food. Unlike at lower latitudes, there has been a dearth of research on bioremediation this far north, Dr. Hubert kept in mind.

Arctic Microbiome’s Response to Oil Spills

“As climate change prolongs ice-free periods and industrial activity increases in the Arctic, it is necessary to understand how the Arctic aquatic microbiome will respond if there is an oil or gas spill,” claimed Dr. Hubert. That’s specifically crucial, as “this area continues to be vast and remote, such that liquid spill emergency reaction would certainly be complicated and lethargic.”

In the research, the investigators simulated it spill remediation within bottles by combining mud from the top few centimeters of the seabed with synthetic saltwater, diesel or crude oil, and various nutrient amendments at diverse focus.

The experiments were carried out at 4 °C to approximate the temperature in the Labrador Sea and also happened over many weeks. “Our simulations demonstrated that normally occurring oil-degrading bacteria in the ocean represent nature’s first responders to an oil spill,” stated Dr. Hubert.

Reference: “Biodegradation of diesel and crude oil by Labrador Sea cold adapted microbial communities” by Sean M. C. Murphy, María A. Bautista, Margaret A. Cramm and Casey R. J. Hubert, 11 August 2021, Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00800-21