Microbial Degradation of Crude Oil 

Our laboratory has been conducting research focused on the biodegradation of complex substrate (crude oil)  by mixed microbial assemblages.  These studies are focused on the following areas:  

the microbial degradation of crude oil biomarkers (i.e., C30 17a, 21b-hopane) 

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 the impact of n-alkane degraders (specifically, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) on microbial community structure and oil degradation

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a study of the Bunker C crude oil that is leaking from the USS Arizona

Sean Norman is a doctoral student in the laboratory that is examining the role of two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, designated U1 and U3, in crude oil degradation.  His studies are focusing on the role of quorum sensing in oil degradation.

Norman, R.S., R. Frontera-Suau, and P.J. Morris.  Variability in Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide expression during crude oil degradation.  Applied and Environmental Microbiology 68:5096-5103.

Roberto Frontera-Suau, Ph.D. was a doctoral student in the laboratory that studied microbial community structure interaction and crude oil biomarker degradation.  At present, he is on the faculty at Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC. (On the right is Roberto with Marissa Sprank, an undergraduate researcher in the laboratory during the Summer of 2000).

Frontera-Suau, R., F.D. Bost, T.J. McDonald, and P.J. Morris.  2002.  Aerobic biodegradation of hopanes and other biomarkers by crude oil-degrading enrichment cultures.  Environmental Science & Technology 36:4578-4584.  (Web Release Date 5 October 2002).

 

Dan Bost, Ph.D. (left) was a doctoral student in the laboratory that studied the biodegradation of biomarkers in crude oil.  His studies focused on the aerobic degradation of C30 17a, 21b-hopane.   He is now a postdoctoral fellow at Rutgers working with Dr. Jerry Kukor.

Bost, F.D., R. Frontera-Suau, T.J. McDonald, K.E. Peters, and P.J. Morris.  2001.  Aerobic biodegradation of hopanes and norhopanes in Venezuelan crude oils.  Organic Geochemistry 32:105-114.