Changes

==How does biodegradation occur?==

==How does biodegradation occur?==

Bacteria, fungi and algae are the major living organisms that consumes hydrocarbon in different efficiencies with bacteria to be the most efficient contributor. Bacteria are selective towards consuming hydrocarbons. For example, Burkholderia is one type of bacteria which causes alkylaromatic degradation, on the other hand, Acinetobacter sp. leads to C10-C40 linear alkane degradation. [6]  

Bacteria, fungi and algae are the major living organisms that consumes hydrocarbon in different efficiencies with bacteria to be the most efficient contributor. Bacteria are selective towards consuming hydrocarbons. For example, Burkholderia is one type of bacteria which causes alkylaromatic degradation, on the other hand, Acinetobacter sp. leads to C10-C40 linear alkane degradation.<ref name="6Das">Das, N., 2011, [https://www.hindawi.com/journals/btri/2011/941810/ Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants: An overview]: Biotechnology Research International, v. 2011, 13 p.</ref>

==Factors affecting biodegradation of hydrocarbons==

==Factors affecting biodegradation of hydrocarbons==

Temperature is an important factor affecting hydrocarbon biodegradation rate. The optimum temperatures for hydrocarbon biodegradation are dependent on the environment of the hydrocarbons. For instance, Figure 1 shows that the highest biodegradation rate for soil environment will occur between 30-40 oC, for freshwater environment between 20-30 oC and for marine environment between 15-20 oC.[6]

Temperature is an important factor affecting hydrocarbon biodegradation rate. The optimum temperatures for hydrocarbon biodegradation are dependent on the environment of the hydrocarbons. For instance, Figure 1 shows that the highest biodegradation rate for soil environment will occur between 30-40 oC, for freshwater environment between 20-30 oC and for marine environment between 15-20 oC.<ref name="6Das" />

[[File:GeoWikiWriteOff2021-Aljezen-Figure1.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 1 summarizes the optimum biodegradation rates depending on the environment  and the needed temperature. (Nilanjana Das, 2011)]]

[[File:GeoWikiWriteOff2021-Aljezen-Figure1.jpg|framed|center|Figure 1 summarizes the optimum biodegradation rates depending on the environment  and the needed temperature.<ref name="6Das" />]]

Besides temperature, nutrient supply is a very crucial element controlling hydrocarbon biodegradation process. The concentrations of these nutrients will vary depending on the environment. For example, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium present in low levels in freshwater wetlands due to the high demand of these elements by the plants. On the other hand, the presence of surplus nutrients can negatively impact the hydrocarbon biodegradation process.

Besides temperature, nutrient supply is a very crucial element controlling hydrocarbon biodegradation process. The concentrations of these nutrients will vary depending on the environment. For example, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium present in low levels in freshwater wetlands due to the high demand of these elements by the plants. On the other hand, the presence of surplus nutrients can negatively impact the hydrocarbon biodegradation process.

==References==

==References==

[6] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/btri/2011/941810/

[6] https://www.hindawi.com/journals/btri/2011/941810/