Diversity of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in Pulau Pari and their potential roles for bioremediation

Abstract

Oil spill accidents occur several times in the Indonesian sea, including Jakarta Bay. Studies on the application of oil spill bio-degradation techniques need to be developed but require baseline data on microbe species diversity and functions. We isolated several bacteria from Pulau Pari that can degrade hydrocarbons (hexadecane, phenantrene, and dibenzothiophene) by using two step enrichment culture technique. The isolated microbes belong to several taxa, including α-subclass Proteobacteria, β-subclass Proteobacteria, γ-subclass Proteobacteria, the gram-positive high GC content (Actinobacteria), and Bacillus group. These marine bacteria degrade not only alkanes but also polyaromatic hydrocarbons (phenanthrene and dibenzothiophene). Alpha and gamma Proteobacteria were predominant alkane and polyaromatic hydrocarbons-degrading bacteria. The ability of those bacteria to degrade both alkanes and polyaromatic hydrocarbon is a key-important trait for enhancing bioremediation of oil spills.