Taxonomic Diversity of Culturable Hydrocarbon-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Sea of Japan

A total of 137 strains of mesophilic and psychrotolerant hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria have been isolated from three regions of the Sea of Japan exposed to different levels of anthropogenic pollution. The taxonomic affiliations of the culturable bacteria from surface waters and bottom sediments that are involved in the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in these regions have been identified. The isolated microorganisms belong to the phyla Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria. The hydrocarbon-oxidizing ability of the bacteria Okibacterium sp., Lechevalieria flava, Patulibacter sp., P. minatonensis, Gracilibacillus massiliensis, Thalassobacillus sp., Virgibacillus dokdonensis, Chryseomicrobium amylolyticum, Jeotgalibacillus marinus, Moraxella osloensis, Idiomarina maritima, and I. piscisalsi has been recorded for the first time. The results we obtained extend our knowledge about the potential of biodegradation of pollutants by members of certain taxa in the marine environment.