Microbial Degradation of Petroleum in Contaminated Soil — Analytical Aspects

Microbial degradation of crude oil deposits under geological conditions is a common phaenomenon, which effects more than 10% of the known reservoirs (1). Extensive laboratory experiments on synthetic degradation of crude oils by microorganisms isolated from reservoirs have lead to a greater understanding of microbial effects on crude oil degradation under aerobic conditions (2,3). It is known from these studies, that paraffinie hydrocarbons are easily degraded whilst aromatic hydrocarbons are preferentially resistant against biodegadation.