MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Revealing the composition of bacterial communities in various oil-contaminated soils and investigating their intrinsic traits in hydrocarbon degradation

Summary

This study examined bacterial communities in oil-contaminated soils from Iranian oil fields. The research found that crude oil pollution dramatically changed which bacteria thrived in the soil, favoring hardy species like Bacillus that can break down hydrocarbons. These adapted bacteria showed enhanced ability to degrade oil through specific enzymes, suggesting they could be useful for cleaning up oil-polluted areas in salty environments.

Background

Oil-contaminated soils in high-salinity environments present challenges for bioremediation. Previous studies have identified diverse microbial communities in contaminated sites, but systematic comparisons within the same region remain limited. Understanding prokaryotic diversity and metabolic capabilities in oil fields is crucial for developing effective bioremediation strategies.

Objective

This study explores prokaryotic diversity and oil biodegradation potential in soils from three evaporation ponds in the Ahvaz and Maroon oil fields, Iran. The research investigates how crude oil contamination and high salinity together affect microbial community composition and their hydrocarbon degradation capabilities.

Results

Bacillota dominated contaminated soils while Pseudomonadota prevailed in controls. Contaminated soils showed reduced diversity with Simpson and Shannon indices significantly lower than controls. Real-time PCR revealed enhanced alkB gene expression (fold changes 1.741-2.639) in polluted soils, indicating increased hydrocarbon degradation potential and adaptive responses to petroleum contamination.

Conclusion

Crude oil contamination significantly alters microbial community structure, reducing archaea and promoting bacterial dominance, particularly Bacillus species. Microbial communities in contaminated soils demonstrate enhanced functional capacity for hydrocarbon degradation through enriched alkane-degrading pathways. These findings support the development of tailored bioremediation strategies for oil-contaminated saline environments.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Observational Study,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-025-05519-7, PMID: 40596159
Scroll to Top