Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by microbes isolated from the marine sponge Biemna fortis (Topsent 1897)

Abstract

Industries rely on oil-based products as a significant source of energy. Spillages and accidental leakages are frequent during the extraction, refinement, transportation, and hoarding of oil and their products. The living beings on earth are foremostly contaminated by hazardous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); therefore, their degradation is essential. The inadequate use of chemical and mechanical techniques to expel hydrocarbons from the sullied marine ecosystem is not cost-effective. The conversion of complex natural contaminants to other simple natural substances by biodegraders such as microorganisms may allude to absolute mineralization into carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic substances through the mechanism of bioremediation. Previous research works on PAH-degrading bacteria are mainly focused on the utilization of terrestrial microbes; however, the potential use of marine microbes is unexplored. There is an enduring international interest in exploring the application of microbes isolated from marine sponge Biemna fortis having high PAH-degrading potential. This book chapter represents an updated overview of the potential application of microbes isolated from marine sponge B. fortis for PAH degradation.