Isolation and characterization of a novel hydrocarbon-degrading, Gram-positive bacterium, isolated from intertidal beach sediment, and description of Planococcus alkanoclasticus sp. nov.

Abstract

Planococcus species are abundant members of the bacterial community in a variety of marine environments, including some in sensitive Antarctic ecosystems. The occurrence of hydrocarbon-degrading Planococcus spp. is potentially of importance in controlling the impact of hydrocarbon contamination in sensitive marine environments.