The HOBby of eating petrol

Contamination through petroleum is a major aspect of the pollution to our oceans. The presence of hydrocarbon oxidising bacteria (HOB) could be a solution. They live in the water column as well as the surface of Fucus vesiculosus, where secondary metabolites create a perfect living space.

The study found that by exposing F. vesiculosus to diesel-WAF (petroleum water mix) the number of HOBs present increased by 350% and the hydrocarbons from petroleum reduced by 80%.

Additionally, Ryzhik et al. (2019) look at how the algae is affected physiologically, as petroleum presence causes oxidative stress. An increase in ROS was determined through lipid peroxidation, however no change in catalase was found in response.

The paper makes interesting points on how the natural coastline system can recover from severe or everyday pollution, however some conclusions seem far-fetched. Ryzhik et al. (2019) assume that F. vesiculosus is highly tolerant or even resilient to petroleum. Over a study period of 6 days this assumption does not seem plausible. Other enzymes could be activated due to the ROS; however, this would require further study. Additionally, a long-term effect study might be beneficial to determine the detriment the algae itself.

Ryzhik, I.,Pugovkin, D., Makarov, M., Roleda, M., Basova, L., Voskoboynikov, G. (2019) Tolerance of Fucus vesiculosus exposed to diesel water-accommodated fraction (WAF) and degradation of hydrocarbons by the associated bacteria. Environmental Pollution, Vol. 254 Accessible through: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113072