Oil spills
Introduction
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As the demand for crude oil as energy source is fast increasing, accidental and associated oil spills have been more and more frequent during the process of exploration, production, transportation and storage. On land, oil spills are usually localized and the impact is limited in a certain area. However, when oil spills happened in marine it may result in very serious ecological risks and long-term environmental disturbance (Patin 2004, 737-748). The primary source of oil input into seas is usually associated with transportation by tankers and pipelines.
Once the oil spill happened, the oil will experience a series of physical, chemical and biological change, the effect of which is overall defined as “weathering”. However, this process happened in a limited speed in the natural environment and need long time for the contaminated environment to recover. Various remediation methods have been proposed, among which the biological remediation has drawn increasing attention recently. There are two general approaches: to apply fertilizers or surfactants in order to promote the microbial degradation process, and to add naturally occurring adapted microbial hydrocarbon degraders seeding (Mulkinsphillips and Stewart 1974, 915-922). The rate of biodegradation in a remediation site is highly dependent on the characteristics of spilled oil, the localized physical chemical environment, as well as the indigenous microbe’s communities. In order to better use bioremediation, lots of research are being conducted, focusing on both the biotic and abiotic factors influencing the degradation rate.
Physical environment
Describe the physical and chemical characteristics of the environment, using as many sections/subsections as you require. If it is appropriate, you can divide the physical and chemical attributes of the environment into separate sections. Look at other topics available in MicrobeWiki. Which involve processes similar to yours? Create links where relevant.
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Microbial communities
What kind of microbes do we typically find in this environment? Or associated with important processes in this environment? Describe key groups of microbes that we find in this environment, and any special adaptations they may have evolved to survive in this environment. List examples of specific microbes that represent key groups or are associated with important processes found in this environment. Link to other MicrobeWiki pages where possible.
Are there important biological interactions that are important in this environment? Do these interactions influence microbial populations and their activities? How do these interactions influence other organisms? Describe biological interactions that might take place in this environment, using as many sections/subsections as you require. Look at other topics available in MicrobeWiki. Create links where relevant.
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Microbial processes
What microbial processes define this environment? Describe microbial processes that are important in this habitat, adding sections/subsections as needed. Look at other topics in MicrobeWiki. Are some of these processes already described? Create links where relevant.
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Current Research
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References
Edited by <your name>, a student of Angela Kent at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
