Biodegradation of petroleum tar in contaminated sediments of the Eastern Mediterranean shores and associated microbial dynamics.

ABSTRACT: The Eastern Mediterranean coasts were impacted by several oil spills over the past two decades where tar residues were encountered on the shoreline. The majority of research on marine tar residues has focused on tar formation, chemical composition, transport, and fingerprinting to trace petroleum oil spills. Only a few studies have assessed the biodegradation of tar in the marine environment, and no studies have examined the evolution of the associated microbial communities. This research evaluated the biodegradation of tar residues in contaminated beach sediments of the Eastern Mediterranean coast of Lebanon. Biodegradation experiments were conducted in laboratory microcosms over a period of 56 days at 18°C and 28°C. Tar removal throughout the incubation period was monitored by the measur

SUBMITTER: Al Haj Chehadeh B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12285258 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature