Global Consequences of Ubiquitous Hydrocarbon Utilizers

Abstract

Hydrocarbons have been part of the biosphere for millions of years, and a diverse group of eukaryotes has evolved to degrade them. Most of the cultures “in captivity” are fungi, but there are also examples from several algal phyla, and there are reports that some protozoa can degrade hydrocarbons. To date, all hydrocarbon degradation by eukaryotes seems to be aerobic. Only a few fungi and a single achlorophyllous green alga are known to be able to grow on hydrocarbons as their sole source of carbon and energy, but several are economically important, either in “spoiling” fuels or in biofilters. Many more fungi are able to degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a fast enough rate to be useful in the remediation of contaminated soil, and they may play an important role in the attenuation of the perennial natural production of these pyrogenic pollutants.