[Effect of petroleum hydrocarbons on the viability of cyanobacteria in association with oil-oxidizing bacteria]

Abstract

An important aspect in the problem of interactions between microorganisms in the conditions of oil pollution is how to preserve the viability of phototrophic organisms if active oil-oxidizing microflora is present in the environment. As was illustrated using a closed model ecosystem, the association 'cyanobacteria--oil-oxidizing bacteria' is capable of withstanding the negative effect of oil pollution, but within the range of hydrocarbon concentrations which can be oxidized by oil-oxidizing bacteria during a very short time. The biological equilibrium in the ecosystem was maintained and the number of viable cells of the phototrophic component in the ecosystem increased if the oil-oxidizing bacteria started to function at the same time as toxic compounds commenced to produce their effect on the microorganisms.