Principle

Some microorganisms living in soil and water are capable of utilizing mineral oil compounds as carbon and energy sources. They break down these compounds to produce carbon dioxide and water, thereby decomposing mineral oil. Particularly mycobacteria, corynebacteria and proactomycetes are able to decompose mineral oil.

Benefits


The experiment shows how to clean soil contaminated by oil in a environmentally friendly way

Microbiology experiment which can be performed under non-sterile conditions

Experiment to grow mineral-oil degrading microorganisms in small scale

Particularly educational in countries with mineral oil industry


Tasks


Verify the presence of mineral oil-degrading microorganism in any type of soil samples


What you can learn about


Contamination with mineral oil

Degradation of mineral oil using biological agents

Mineral oil-degrading microorganisms