ABSTRACT

Oil spills present a threat to our environment. A bacteria that can metabolize oil may aid in the clean up these spills. If the bacteria did not leave any harmful products behind, it may provide anew, safe, and efficient way to disperse the oil. This research provides a step in the direction to find a safe bacteria.

Kerosene and Minimal Davis Broth w/o Dextrose were placed into test tubes and then into a water shaker bath. After the kerosene was fully metabolized in one test tube, the other test tubes were inoculated from this culture. The tubes were studied and growth occurred. After several sets of test tubes produced this bacteria, the kerosene was measured. There was a difference in the starting amount of kerosene and the amount after the bacteria had been introduced.

The changes in the level of kerosene prove the bacteria did eat the kerosene. Other factors allowed for adjustment to the kerosene levels are the mixing of the kerosene and the broth and the flaws in the measuring technique. Even with these factors included the original test tube still had all the kerosene metabolized, proving that the bacteria did indeed eat the kerosene.