Response of Antarctic Soil Bacterial Assemblages to Contamination by Diesel Fuel and Crude Oil

Abstract

The effects of diesel fuel and ``Arabian light'' crude oil addition on Antarctic bacterial assemblages were studied in four contaminated soils during 1 year in the Terre Adelie land area. Monthly sampling allowed a regular survey of the bacterial changes occurring in the contaminated soils. All samples were analyzed for total bacteria, heterotrophic culturable microbiota, and hydrocarbon-utilizing microbiota. Crude oil contamination induced an initial increase of all bacterial parameters in all contaminated soils. Diesel oil contamination had a more complex effect. Hydrocarbon degrading bacterial abundance increases occurred after diesel oil addition. In contrast, general heterotrophic bacterial abundance could significantly decrease in the same conditions. In all cases the stimulatory effects of oil addition disappeared after several months of contamination.