Research Product

Samples of inshore surface films from Escambia Bay, Florida and from sites in the North Sea yielded populations of aerobic, heterotrophic microorganisms up to 108 ml-1 or 106 cm-2. Hydrocarbonoclastic organisms occurred in relatively low populations. A comparison of species of yeasts prevalent in North Sea waters before and after oil production activities indicated a shift to a more widespread distribution of hydrocarbonoclastic forms with possible inhibition of a non-hydrocarbon utilizing species. Examination of various hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds with the potential of being sequestered in natural films indicated that 66% could potentially alter microbial metabolic processes in the slick. In microcosm studies of estuarine systems, representative compounds demonstrated a selective effect for microfungi.