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Response of cold-adapted microbial populations in a permafrost profile to hydrocarbon contaminants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 October 2009

A.G. Rike ,
M. Børresen  and
A. Instanes
A.G. Rike
Affiliation:
Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, PO Box 3930 Ullevaal Stadion, N-0806 Oslo, Norway
M. Børresen
Affiliation:
Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, PO Box 3930 Ullevaal Stadion, N-0806 Oslo, Norway
A. Instanes
Affiliation:
Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, PO Box 3930 Ullevaal Stadion, N-0806 Oslo, Norway
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Abstract

Heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-degrading microbial populations in soils from different depths in a permafrost soil profile at a hydrocarbon-contaminated site at Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, were examined and compared to the populations present at a pristine site. The objective was to investigate whether the populations were enhanced after 12 years of exposure to hydrocarbons. Based on air and soil temperature data, it is concluded that the microorganisms living in these environments are cold-adapted. Proliferation of the populations by a factor of 100–1000 was measured in the layers where mineral oil was present in high concentrations. This indicates that the populations responded to the additional carbon source by degradation and growth on hydrocarbons or hydrocarbon metabolites. A high number of intrinsic heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria is a prerequisite for in situ bioremediation of contaminated sites. Although the hydrocarbon-degrading activities of the populations are not known, the results show that the population sizes probably do not represent the limiting factor in a bioremedial action at this contaminated Arctic permafrost site.

Type
Articles
Information
Polar Record , Volume 37 , Issue 202 , July 2001 , pp. 239 - 248
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2001

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