Enhanced biodegradation of petroleum in seawater using an autochthonous microbial consortium from the northeast coast of Brazil affected by the Venezuelan oil spill

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Environmental Science
• Microbial Ecology

Background:

• A significant petroleum spill impacted Brazil's tropical coasts between August 2019 and January 2020.
• The heavy oil posed persistent environmental threats due to its low biodegradability and high viscosity.
• Effective remediation methods were urgently needed to address the oil contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a bioremediation strategy for oil-contaminated marine ecosystems.
• To identify and utilize autochthonous microorganisms pre-adapted to the specific pollutants.
• To form a microbial consortium for enhanced hydrocarbon biodegradation.

Main Methods:

• Genomic sequencing was used to identify microorganisms with pre-existing adaptation to the pollutants.
• Biodegradation assays were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the microbial consortium.
• Microcosm conditions simulating marine environments were used to test the bioremediation strategy.

Main Results:

• A microbial consortium comprising Corynebacterium kalidii, Acinetobacter venetianus, and two Martelella species was successfully formed.
• The consortium achieved high biodegradation rates: up to 98.9% for aliphatic hydrocarbons and 96.9% for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within 60 days.
• Whole genome analysis provided insights into the metabolic capabilities of the consortium for hydrocarbon degradation.

Conclusions:

• The targeted bioremediation approach using autochthonous microbial consortia is a scalable and economically viable solution.
• This strategy shows significant potential for restoring oil-contaminated marine ecosystems.
• Leveraging native microorganisms offers a promising avenue for effective environmental cleanup of petroleum spills.