Project information
Project aim
The processes by which bacteria remove petroleum products from terrestrial soils and marine sediments are not well understood. In this project we aim to determine which bacteria and what processes they use to degrade key constituents of petroleum products, that are commonly used and spilt, in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic. An improved understanding of how these potential pollutants are removed from the environment will help to assess and manage the risks involved in using these products in environmentally fragile polar regions.
Related publications
-
Effects of diesel and lubricant oils on Antarctic
benthic microbial communities over five years. Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 2010
(Ref: 14227)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
A 5 yr field experiment was carried out comparing the effects of Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) diesel, synthetic lubricant (Mobil 0W40), used synthetic lubricant (used Mobil 0W40) and a biodegradable lubricant (Titan GT1) on Antarctic benthic microbial communities.
-
Microbial community dynamics in oil contaminated Antarctic sediments Australian Society for Microbiology Annual Scientific Meeting. Perth, July 2009. Plenary Presentation., 2009
(Ref: 14139)
Category 3: Abstract
In 2001 a unique field experiment was established to compare the longevity and effects of four different oils on the Antarctic benthic ecosystem. Clean sediment was collected, spiked with one of the oils: Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) diesel, synthetic lubricant (Mobil 0W-40)…
-
Soil characteristics influence diversity of bacterial 16S rRNA and alkB genes on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2010
(Ref: 14223)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
-
Hydrocarbon degradation in sub-Antarctic soil: comparison of aerobic and anaerobic processes 12th International Society on Microbial Ecology. 17-22 August 2008. Cairns, Australia, 2008
(Ref: 13544)
Category 3: Conference paper
-
Biodegradation of petroleum products in experimental plots in Antarctic marine sediments is location dependent. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2007
(Ref: 12843)
Category 1: Peer-reviewed literature
Clean sediment collected from O’Brien Bay, East Antarctica, was artificially contaminated with a mix of Special Antarctic Blend diesel fuel and lubricating oil and deployed in two uncontaminated locations (O’Brien and Sparkes Bays) and a previously contaminated bay (Brown Bay)…