The role of marine microorganisms in the oil transport has been actively investigated since flocculations containing crude oil were found at seabeds. These flocculations are made of various by-products of crude oil metabolism by microorganisms that include mucous-like bacterial biofilm. One such bacterial species that form biofilm is <i>Alcanivorax borkumensis</i>, a rod-shaped alkane degrading bacterium that is known to dominate the microcosm near oil spill sites. We show that biofilm formed by <i>Alcanivorax borkumensis</i> acts a very effective crude oil emulsifier. These bacteria are known to produce biosurfactant naturally which allows to form very small droplets. The exopolymer of the biofilm formed by these bacteria provides steric hindrance against droplet coalescence thus promoting emulsion stability over a period of at least four weeks. Cryogenic electron microscopy is used to characterize the biofilm and show attachment of the cells on the surface of oil. Cryo-SEM gives a clear visual evidence of emulsion droplets stabilized by exopolymer. We additionally analyze the system of crude oil/bacterial culture by measuring interfacial tension decrease as a result of cell proliferation. The additional aspect of the work addresses the fundamentals of sedimentation in the context of microbial biofilm and crude oil interactions.

Exopolymer produced in the marine environment enhances the stability of oil in water emulsions under saline conditions

255th National Meeting (2018)

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