Characteristics of Natural Hydrocarbon-Oxidizing Microbial Communities for Utilization of Crude Oil Pollution in the Northern Regions
Three hydrocarbon-oxidizing microbial communities, Nsk1, Nsk2 and Csha2, have been isolated from the oil-polluted harbor sites of Northern Regions. The study of the growth dynamics at the cultivation temperatures of 4°C and 20°C showed their psychrotolerant nature. The efficiency of oil degradation at the low temperature for 10 to 20 days was more than 30% for Nsk1 and Nsk2 consortia and higher than 70% for the Csha2 consortium. The biosurfactant activity of Nsk1 was demonstrated to reach 65,9%. The microbial communities were shown to have the high survival index after lyophilization with the retention of the hydrocarbon-oxidizing and biosurfactant activities. The studied microbial consortia can be used in the creation of biopreparations for the bioremediation of oil pollution in the Northern seas and coastal areas.