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Bacterial Isolates from Greek Sites and Their Efficacy in Degrading Petroleum

Author

Listed:
  • Georgia C. Ntroumpogianni

    (Section of Botany, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771 Athens, Greece)

  • Eleni Giannoutsou

    (Section of Botany, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771 Athens, Greece)

  • Amalia D. Karagouni

    (Section of Botany, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771 Athens, Greece)

  • Alexandros L. Savvides

    (Section of Botany, Department of Biology, School of Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15771 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major organic pollutant, not only because they do not self-degenerate but also because they accumulate in the food chain and give rise to serious repercussions in terms of biodiversity sustainability. Petroleum-degrading bacteria have long been used as a promising solution in the effort to biodegrade crude oil. In this study, new isolates from specific Greek environments displaying various levels of crude oil contamination, as well as isolates belonging to the ATHUBA collection, were thoroughly investigated for their capacity to degrade crude oil. Furthermore, the presence of nah H and alk J genes in the above bacterial isolates, as well as their ability to form agglomerates or release surfactants, was investigated. Two consortia were formed, and their ability to degrade crude oil was tested, achieving similar degrading capacities as those observed with the individual strains. A Pseudomonas plecoglossicida isolate demonstrated the highest percentage (76.7%) ability to degrade crude oil. The biodegradation rate of this isolate was further evaluated by measuring the alkanes/hopanes ratio over a period of ten days, exhibiting a higher degradation rate in short-chain (C11–C21) alkanes, whereas a decrease in the ratio was observed when the number of carbons in petroleum increased. This is the first detailed report on bacterial communities in oil-polluted areas of Greece that contain a variety of bacteria with the ability to degrade PAHs in contaminated sites and may provide a novel alternative to various bioremediation processes or be used as inocula in autochthonous bioaugmentation procedures for crude oil biodegradation.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgia C. Ntroumpogianni & Eleni Giannoutsou & Amalia D. Karagouni & Alexandros L. Savvides, 2022. "Bacterial Isolates from Greek Sites and Their Efficacy in Degrading Petroleum," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:15:p:9562-:d:879635
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hanxi Wang & Jianling Xu & Wenkui Zhao & Jiquan Zhang, 2014. "Effects and Risk Evaluation of Oil Spillage in the Sea Areas of Changxing Island," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, August.
    2. Jianling Xu & Hanxi Wang & Lianxi Sheng & Xuejun Liu & Xiaoxue Zheng, 2017. "Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Momoge Wetland, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, January.
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