Sur l'epuration biologique d'une zone littorale marine affectee par des rejets d'hydrocarbures

Abstract

The biodegradation of hydrocarbons in an oil refinery effluent discharge into seawater was studied. The hydrocarbon ‘concentration’ in the effluent only operated above a threshold (> 50 mg/litre) when bacterial action upon the different hydrocarbon molecules took place. In general, the degradation potential of the microflora present in seawater was highest in zones affected by chronic discharges.