Microbiological properties of soil in oil refineries

Abstract

Certain microbial groups have the ability to utilize the components of petroleum as a source of energy and carbon, which enables them to live in contaminated soils. The objective of this investigation was to assess microbiological properties of soils in the vicinity of Pančevo and Novi Sad oil refineries. Microbiological analyses included the determination of the total microbial number, copiotrophic and oligotrophic bacteria number, azotobacters number and dehydrogenase activity. High concentrations of total hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adversely affected the microbiological properties of the tested soils. Low concentrations of total hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons tended to stimulate the number and activity of microorganisms in the contaminated soils. The obtained results indicated the importance of monitoring the microbiological properties of soil contaminated with petroleum.