Distribution of hydrocarbon biomarkers during microbiological biodegradation of oil

Abstract

The pollution of the environment by crude oil and its derivatives is a consequence of human activity, that is, the consequence of the extraction, transport, processing and use of oil. Biodegradation is process of removing harmful substances from the soil, surface and groundwater by microorganisms and represents a perfect trend for remediation of such pollution. Biomarkers are complex compounds found in petroleum, which are identical in structure or very close to the compounds existing in the biosphere. They are used as parameters of maturity of crude oil, but also as parameters of biodegradation processes because they show greater resistance to degradation due to the action of microorganisms. Gas chromatographic-masspectrometric analysis is used in the estimation of the composition and distribution of hydrocarbon compounds of petroleum and its derivatives. By monitoring certain ionic fragmentograms, at the beginning and end of the experimental procedure, the results of microbiological degradation of petroleum pollutants can be safely obtained.