Communities of marine microrganisms for oil degradation

Objective

Marine ecosystems and the fossil fuel petroleum oil are major natural resources whose use necessitates sustainable practices. Oil is toxic and its mining, transport and use results in much pollution, particularly of marine ecosystems. Some marine microorganisms degrade oil and play a crucial role in reducing its pollution impact thereby constituting a major factor in the sustainability equation, but we know almost nothing about them, and are not able to rationally influence their beneficial activity. In order to fill this critical knowledge gap, and elucidate the identity and functional roles of the most important degraders, the biogeography and phylogenetic and functional diversity of oil-degrading bacteria, the structure and function of oil-based microbial communities in which they act, population dynamics and degradation rates of such communities in response to oil pollution, will be studied and the potential for rational intervention to enhance their beneficial activities assessed

Programme(s)

• FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.4.-3. - Key action Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY

Address

Spianata San Rainerie 86
98122 Messina
Italy

Participants (5)

HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH

Greece

Address

46,7 Km Athens-sounion Avenue
19013 Anavyssos

INSTITUTE OF GENETICS AND SELECTION OF INDUSTRIAL MICROORGANISMS

Russia

Address

1-St Dorozhny Proezd 1
113545 Moscow

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BRAUNSCHWEIG

Germany

Address

Spielmannstrasse 7, Biozentrum
38106 Braunschweig

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY

Israel

Address

Ramat Aviv
69978 Ramat - Aviv

UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX

United Kingdom

Address

Wivenhoe Park John Tabor Laboratories
CO4 3SQ Colchester