[On the taxonomy and physiology of bacteria utilizing hydrocarbons in the sea (author's transl)].

Using mineral media with gas oil as sole carbon source, 191 bacterial strains were isolated from the costal area of Marseille. These strains were attributed to Achromobacter, Alcaligenes, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Arthrobacter genera. Amongst isolated strains there was a predominance of the Alcaligenes-Achromobacter group over others genera. Growth and respiratory activity of 5 strains were studied on hexadecane and acetate. Respiratory activity on hexadecane of 32 strains cultured on acetate has been measured. These strains could be placed in two groups. The group 1 shows an immediate respiratory activity which is not abolished by chloramphenicol. The group 2 presents either an immediate or a delayed respiratory activity which is always abolished by chloramphenicol. Maintenance or suppression of respiration by chloramphenicol is a character which is homogenously distributed amongst the species.