Bioremediation by Application of Fertilizers to Oil-Soaked Gulf Coast Shorelines

Bioremediation approaches based on the application of fertilizers to oil-soaked shorelines have been shown to stimulate the rate of oil biodegradation by ubiquitous oil-degrading microorganisms (1). Weeks after the Exxon Valdez oil spill in March of 1989, a bioremediation approach was employed on a number of oil contaminated sites in Prince William Sound. Fertilizer was applied to these sites in order to promote growth of naturally occurring bacteria capable of degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds present in the oil. Follow-up studies of the impact of this U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-approved approach showed that the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were significantly lower in treated sites as compared to untreated sites.

1. Swannell RP, Lee K, McDonagh M. Field evaluations of marine oil spill bioremediation. Microbiol Rev. 1996 Jun;60(2):342-65.