BIODEGRADATION OF CRUDE OIL CONTAMINATED SOIL BY MICROBIAL INOCULANTS

Bioremediation of oil spills requires the identification of microbes which have the ability to degrade hydrocarbons present in the soil or water, so that in case of a large spill these can be stimulated further in order to clean-up the area. Identification of such strains can ensure better efficiency of remediation as these strains will be well adapted to grow in the respective environment. A number of microorganisms have been found to have the capability to degrade the hydrocarbons from the oil spills. These include strains of bacteria, fungi, yeast, algae etc. (Kazuya, 2001).