CHARACTERIZATION OF HYDROCARBONOCLASTIC MARINE BACTERIA USING THE 16S rRNA GENE: A MICROCOSM CASE STUDY

Some marine microorganisms can degrade oil pollutants by using them as their sole carbon and energy sources. Members of this heterogenic group are called hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria. However, an unestimated number of hydrocarbonoclastic marine bacteria have not yet been characterized. In this context, a microcosm study was carried out, simulating a marine environment contaminated with oil in Upstream Flow Bioreactors (UFB). Eleven bacterial isolates were characterized from these microcosms. The taxonomic position of the bacteria identified was determined by partial sequencing of the gene 16S rRNA in 4 major genera: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Halomonas and Haererehalobacter. This research demonstrated the presence of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria recognized in consortia and provides additional information about Haererehalobater a new genera of hydrocarbonoclastic marine bacteria. The outlook for better understanding of the diversity of hydrocarbonoclastic marine bacteria and potential uses in bioremediation and other biotechnological processes is discussed.