Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
hydrocarbon biodegradation, hypersaline aqueous, isotopic, HCO3
College
Life Sciences
Department
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Abstract
In order to demonstrate the presence of hydrocarbon biodegradation in a hypersaline aqueous environment an isotopic method of analysis was employed. The relative 13C abundance of Great Salt Lake’s HCO3- in equilibrium with atmosphere and fossil hydrocarbon are quite different. By creating microcosms using the sediment of Rozel Point and allowing the microbial activity to occur over a 12 week timeframe, data were collected regarding the change of CO2 concentration and the isotopic signature of the 13C in HCO3- of the microcosm water. A shift in the isotopic signature from the 13C levels of the HCO3- in equilibrium with atmosphere toward that of hydrocarbon 13C levels in the live microcosms, but not in the killed microcosm would suggest that hydrocarbon biodegradation is occurring.
Recommended Citation
-, -
(2013)
"Experiment Three,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1251.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1251