The anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegrading bacteria:: An overview

Hydrocarbons are widespread in our environment. The number of bacteria known to oxidize hydrocarbons in the absence of oxygen has considerably increased during the last ten years. Anaerobic bacteria have been shown capable of utilizing hydrocarbons not only in consortia but also in pure Cultures. The results obtained in the framework of MATBIOPOL project on anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation by denitrifying bacteria and by enrichment cultures maintained under methanogenic conditions are exposed together with the present knowledge on hydrocarbon biodegradation.