Abstract:
The goals of this study were to isolate microorganisms
from oil well-produced water, identify the
microorganisms, and test the microorganisms’ salt
tolerance. Saltwater collected from two well locations
producing from different zones in Jones County, Texas,
was spread onto Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA). Isolates
showed a 16S rDNA gene sequence identity of 99%
with Idiomarina baltica and Marinobacter persicus.
Salt tolerance assays indicated an optimal growth
concentration of 10-12.5% NaCl for the Idiomarina
isolate and a decrease in growth beyond 5% NaCl for
the Marinobacter isolate. In conclusion, organisms that
are phylogenetically similar to marine microorganisms
are present in oil well environments, and have variable
salt tolerances, which may prove useful in microbialmediated
hydrocarbon bioremediation of high salinity
environments.
