Biodegradation of hydrocarbons in the oil-polluted biocoenoses of Mongolia

The ability of natural microflora to the degradation of oil polluting the soil is investigated on the territory of the Tsagan-Els deposit (Mongolia). Microorganisms degrading alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, resins, and oil asphaltenes are isolated from the contaminated soil and identified. The biodegradation of oil polluting the soil was carried out with the introduction of stimulating solutions that increase the count and activity of the soil biocenosis. It is found out that n-alkanes, monoarenes, and biarenes are most susceptible to biodegradation. Unsubstituted homologues are primarily eliminated from arenes. Minimal changes are observed for tetraarenes. For 30 days the biodegradation of oil by activated microflora on contaminated soil areas was 58%, while that without introduction of stimulating substrates—22%.