Biodegradation of Some Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Fungi Isolated from Gulf of Suez

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbons are one of the main pollutants which affected directly on the Gulf of Suez environment due to petroleum products deliveries and production as well as fuel combustion emissions from shipping activities and refineries. There are several Methods for treatment of hydrocarbons such as physical, mechanical, chemical and biological methods. Broth media containing ACF (accommodated fraction), WSF (water soluble fractions) or anthracene were used separately as a sole carbon source. 17 fungal species were isolated from water and sediment of three selected stations (Port-Tawfik, El-Ziaytia and Attaka), then screened in each substrate. Capillary gas chromatography (CGC) analysis used to chemically profiling each substrate after inoculation. Our results showed that, Aspergillus flavus was the most effective of degradation ACF reach to (98.79 %). In case of WSF the isolate Penicillium chrysogenium was the highest percentage of degradation (98.53 %). Anthracene degradation after 2 weeks recorded (56.08 %) by using Cladosporium sp. In conclusion, the Gulf of Suez contain several promising fungal species that could be used in biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons as a save alternatives in marine ecosystem.