Biodegradation of MC252 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and alkanes in two coastal wetlands

Authors

Matthew Rodrigue, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America.
Vijaikrishnah Elango, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LO 70803, USA. Electronic address: hassan1@lsu.edu.
Mark Ferguson, McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1. Electronic address: fergumr@mcmaster.ca.
Saiedeh Razavi, McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1. Electronic address: razavi@mcmaster.ca.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-1-2020

Abstract

Complementary microbial and geochemical assessment techniques investigated the biodegradation of PAHs and alkanes in salt marshes impacted by crude oil following the Macondo spill. Contamination was observed in the top 10 cm of the marsh profile based on PAH analysis and measurement of the δC signature of impacted marsh soils. Measurement of evolution of C depleted CO indicated mineralization of crude oil ranging from 2.7-12.1 mg CO-C/m-hr. Changes in weathering ratios of alkylated phenanthrenes and dibenzothiophenes indicated loss of these 3-ring PAHs consistent with biodegradation. A diverse microbial population was observed at both locations dominated by Gammaproteobacteria and including known hydrocarbon degraders such as Marinobacter and Alcanivorax. There was shared richness between sites and across seasons but results suggested substantial turnover of phylotypes in space and time. Biodegradation of alkanes and alkylated PAHs occurred when oxygen was provided in laboratory reactors but not in the absence of oxygen.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Marine pollution bulletin

First Page

111319

Recommended Citation

Rodrigue, M., Elango, V., Ferguson, M., & Razavi, S. (2020). Biodegradation of MC252 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and alkanes in two coastal wetlands. Marine pollution bulletin, 157, 111319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111319