Environmental Science & Technology · 2011 · 884 citations · 21 references
Life SciencesEnvironmental SciencesMicrobiologyEnvironmental MicrobiologyMarine EcologyMicrobial EcologyBiodegradationBioremediationMarine PollutionMicrobial BiogeochemistryOil Spill ImpactsOil Spill PollutionBiodegradation Of Petroleum HydrocarbonsHydrocarbon-degrading MicrobesHydrocarbon-degrading MicroorganismsMicrobial BiodegradationOil DegradationOil Spill BiodegradationPetroleum HydrocarbonsPetroleum Spills
The devastating environmental impacts of the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 and its media notoriety made it a frequent comparison to the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the popular press in 2010, even though the nature of the two spills and the environments impacted were vastly different. Fortunately, unlike higher organisms that are adversely impacted by oil spills, microorganisms are able to consume petroleum hydrocarbons. These oil degrading indigenous microorganisms played a significant role in reducing the overall environmental impact of both the Exxon Valdez and BP Deepwater Horizon oil spills.
21
Deep-Sea Oil Plume Enriches Indigenous Oil-Degrading Bacteria
Terry C. Hazen, Eric A. Dubinsky, Todd Z. DeSantis et al. · Science · 2010 · 1.2K citations · Full text
Tracking Hydrocarbon Plume Transport and Biodegradation at Deepwater Horizon
Richard Camilli, Christopher M. Reddy, D. Yoerger et al. · Science · 2010 · 801 citations
Propane Respiration Jump-Starts Microbial Response to a Deep Oil Spill
David L. Valentine, J. D. Kessler, Molly C. Redmond et al. · Science · 2010 · 457 citations