Microbial utilization of raw and hydrogenated shale oils

Abstract

The biodegradability of raw and hydrogenated shale oils prepared by a retort process were studied under psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions. Changes in bacterial numbers and the chemical composition of the oils were monitored using a plate count and chromatographic techniques respectively. Raw shale oil was found to be relatively resistant to microbial attack whereas hydrogenated shale oil was readily utilized for microbial growth. Populations enriched on raw shale oil had a reduced ability to use hydrogenated shale oil under similar conditions. Gram-negative rods predominated in all enrichment populations. It is recommended that to facilitate clean up of shale oil spills, raw shale oil be reduced at the extraction site before transport.