Isolation and Identification of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria from Polluted Top Soil Samples in Oxford, Pennsylvania

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbon degrading bacteria were isolated from two polluted sites in Oxford, Pennsylvania by enrichment techniques using Bushnell Hass medium. No isolate in this study utilized gasoline; however, two isolates utilized engine oil and three, utilized kerosene. Identification by Gram stain, morphological, biochemical, deoxyribonucleic acid and fatty acid methyl ester tests showed that three isolates were Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, one was Pseudomonas nitroreducens and the last was Achromobacterdenitrificans. This study corroborates that of other researchers that hydrocarbon degrading bacteria can be found in all types of contaminated and polluted environments; they can therefore be enriched and utilized for the remediation of oil polluted environments. We recommend that a culture bank for the collection and preservation of microorganisms specific for bioremediation be established to enable speedy access whenever cases of environmental pollution by oil products are reported.