Bosecker K, Teschner M, Wehner H
Schriftenr Ver Wasser Boden Lufthyg. 1989;80:91-117.
Petroleum from well sites in the Gifhorn Trough (Lower Saxony, NW-Germany) and the Maracaibo Basin (Venezuela) contained various types of microorganisms capable of degrading crude oils. Genetically related oils were inoculated with the isolated microorganisms and the degradation of the oils was followed by chromatographic techniques. Parameters important for the reactions (pH, supply of oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus, reaction medium) were monitored and optimized. The degradation of n-alkanes was followed closely. Microorganisms active in degradation (yeast, bacteria) easily survived a period of inactivity due to missing nutrients and were reactivated within hours to degrade newly added crude oil. Under substrate-limiting conditions selectivity of degradation was found, destroying medium-chain n-alkanes (C20, C21) at a faster rate than long-chain n-alkanes (C30, C31). During degradation the physical parameters of the crude oils (e.g. density, viscosity, average molecular weight) were altered and shifted into the direction of heavy oil. In vitro degraded oil is very similar to oil degraded in nature. Aromatic hydrocarbons and biomarker molecules (steranes and triterpanes) were not degraded under the conditions used. Pyrolysis-GC analysis of asphaltenes revealed no significant changes in the composition of pyrolyzates during biodegradation. There is sufficient evidence that heavy oils - besides some other effects - are generated by the in situ-biodegradation of conventional oils.
来自德国下萨克森州吉夫霍恩盆地和委内瑞拉马拉开波盆地油井的石油含有多种能够降解原油的微生物。将与这些微生物具有遗传相关性的石油接种分离出的微生物，然后用色谱技术跟踪石油的降解情况。对反应的重要参数（pH值、氧气、氮和磷的供应、反应介质）进行监测和优化。密切跟踪正构烷烃的降解情况。参与降解的微生物（酵母、细菌）在因缺乏营养而处于不活跃状态一段时间后很容易存活下来，并在数小时内重新激活以降解新添加的原油。在底物限制条件下发现了降解的选择性，中链正构烷烃（C20、C21）的破坏速度比长链正构烷烃（C30、C31）更快。在降解过程中，原油的物理参数（如密度、粘度、平均分子量）发生了变化，并朝着重油的方向转变。体外降解的油与自然降解的油非常相似。在所用条件下，芳烃和生物标志物分子（甾烷和三萜烷）没有被降解。对沥青质的热解气相色谱分析表明，在生物降解过程中热解产物的组成没有显著变化。有充分的证据表明，重油——除了其他一些影响之外——是由常规油的原位生物降解产生的。
