601 Characterization and analysis of hydrocarbon degrading capability of bacteria sampled in Arctic 118 T. S. Rasmussen Biotechnology, Technical University of Denmark ABSTRACT The risk for a major oil spill will follow the increased human activity and interest of oil exploration in the Arctic. A wide spectrum of microorganisms is capable to utilize hydrocarbons and has shown to reduce the environmental damage in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez accident. In this study, 80 strains were isolated from sediment collected in the Arctic, of which half of the strains came from an oil polluted harbor and the other half from a pristine area. A 16S rRNA sequencing and a subsequently BLASTn analysis identified the isolated strains genus. In addition, their ability to grow in the presence of crude oil, diesel and naphthalene was evaluated. Degradation of crude oil was observed for 12 strains representing both sample locations. While growth related to all 80 strains was observed in the presence of three different hydrocarbons. The following 10 genera were identified: Pseudoalteromonas, Colwellia, Psychrobacter, Halomonas, Marinomonas, Shewanella, Alteromonas, Loktanella, Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium. The distribution of the genera between the two sample locations, and their associated growth levels, indicated that bacteria with the most efficient utilization of hydrocarbons had adapted to the presence of pollutants in the harbor. This may have caused in a decreased diversity in the harbor compared to the pristine area. The phylogenetic analysis indicated the possibility of two novel species related to the genera Psychrobacter and Pseudoalteromonas, since a 16S rRNA gene alignment with the closest related strains, showed an identity percentage in the range of 41-45%. Although hydrocarbon degradation is present in pristine environments, it is of great importance to investigate the impact on the microbial diversity by hydrocarbon contamination, as well as how to increase the efficacy of bioremediation. This is especially relevant in the Arctic regions where the extreme temperatures will prolong the time perspective of the biochemical processes. Key words: PAH, oil spill, diesel oil, naphthalene, phenanthrene. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS LAPTOP IDEA MASTER LEVEL COURSE/PROJECT
Grøn Dyst 2016
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