Biodegradation of C-heavy oil using floatable pellets containing nutrientsand an oil-degrading marine microbial consortium

The biodegradation of C-heavy oil was examined using floatable carrier pell ets containing nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients add an oil-degrading micro bial consortium from the Seto Inland Sea. One pellet (1.3 g, dry weight) en hanced biodegradation to approximately 40% of C-heavy oil within three week s when about 300 mg of C-heavy oil was added as the substrate. After incuba tion with the pellet, n-alkane components of up to 30 carbons were complete ly diminished from the C-heavy oil added. Other components such as aromatic s and heterocyclic compounds were also markedly degraded. These results sho w the advantages of using pellets containing nutrients and a microbial cons ortium for the biodegradation of oil spilled in the sea.