Abstract
Clymenella torquata, a representative of conveyor-belt feeding tube worms, was studied in laboratory microcosms for its effect on the removal of No. 2 fuel oil from sediment. Possible enhancement of microbial degradation of the oil was considered as well. Concentrations of the aromatic fraction of the oil were measured by synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy. Clymenella reduced the oil concentration of the surrounding sediment by 20 to 50% (p<0.05) in 10 days. Concentrations of oil in the worm tubes were 25 to 32% (p<0.001) less than the surrounding sediment. Sediment bacteria cultured in oil supplemented artificial sea water could use the oil as their sole C source, but did not significantly degrade the aromatic fraction.
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Koerting-Walker, C., Buck, J.D. The effect of bacteria and bioturbation by Clymenella torquata on oil removal from sediment. Water Air Soil Pollut 43, 413–424 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279206
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279206