Biodegradation of benzene by halophilic and halotolerant bacteria under aerobic conditions

A highly enriched halophilic culture was established with benzene as the sole carbon source by using a brine soil obtained from an oil production facility in Oklahoma. The enrichment completely degraded benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes within I to 2 weeks. Also, [C-14] benzene was converted to (CO2)-C-14, suggesting the culture's ability to mineralize benzene. Community structure analysis revealed that Marinobacter spp. were the dominant members of the enrichment.