Abstract
The metabolic pathways and environmental controls of hydrocarbon biodegradation in marine ecosystems.
Highlights
It is critical to understand the relationships between microbial community structure and the metabolic activity of hydrocarbon-degrading microbial groups
The majority of studies of hydrocarbondegrading microorganisms have been conducted in laboratory cultures, and our ability to understand and predict the dynamics of in situ microbial communities responding to environmental stimuli such as the presence of oil hydrocarbons remains in its infancy (Prosser et al, 2007)
The development and application of omics approaches have led to the characterization of novel biochemical pathways of biogeochemical significance. This Research Topic focuses on investigations that utilize the latest molecular and biogeochemical techniques, to render a predictive understanding of the biogeochemical processes and metabolic pathways that in turn regulate the impacts and biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons released into the marine environment
Summary
Hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms are ubiquitous in the world’s oceans (Head et al, 2006; Yakimov et al, 2007), and biodegradation mediated by indigenous microbial communities is the ultimate fate of the majority of oil hydrocarbon that enters the marine environment (Leahy and Colwell, 1990; Prince, 2010; Atlas and Hazen, 2011). The majority of studies of hydrocarbondegrading microorganisms have been conducted in laboratory cultures, and our ability to understand and predict the dynamics of in situ microbial communities responding to environmental stimuli such as the presence of oil hydrocarbons remains in its infancy (Prosser et al, 2007).
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