title: Input of organic matter enhances degradation of weathered diesel fuel in sub-tropical sediments.
abstract: We investigated different types of biostimulation practices to enhance degradation of weathered conventional diesel fuel in sandy beach sediments from coastal Alabama. Biodegradation rates were measured following the addition of either inorganic nutrients, or organic matter derived from either plant material (Spartina alterniflora) or fish tissue (Chloroscombrus chrysurus) both common to the region. The greatest hydrocarbon degradation rates were observed in the C. chrysurus amended treatments (k=0.0119 d(-1)). Treatment with fish-derived organic matter increased the degradation rates by 104% as compared to control treatments, while inorganic nutrient addition increased the degradation rates by 57%. The addition of plant derived organic matter, however, only marginally enhanced the degradation rates (~7%) during the course of the study. Bacterial 16S rRNA analyses revealed that most sediment microorganisms belonged to the classes; Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. The most frequently abundant hydrocarbon degraders were mostly similar to Achromobater sp., Microbulbifer sp., Ruegeria sp., and Pseudomonas sp.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA; Institute of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Chemistry, Center for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman O. St. 15, Budapest 1022, Hungary. Electronic address: horel.agota@agrar.mta.hu.
authors.forename: Agota
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horel
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA; Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mortazavi
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama, Department of Biological Sciences, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Sobecky
mesh_terms: D000407:Alabama; D020561:Alphaproteobacteria; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D020563:Gammaproteobacteria; D005742:Gasoline / Q000032:analysis*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006109:Poaceae; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005742:Gasoline; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D012989:Soil Pollutants
keywords: Biodegradation; Biostimulation; Diesel; Hydrocarbon; Proteobacteria