Introduction
A scientific study was conducted to evaluate the effects of crude oil on different nitrifying prokaryotes. The researchers utilized ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea to develop a bioassay. The study evaluated the ecological responses of these two groups of microorganisms on marine oil spills. Researchers found inhibition of nitrite production in all tested ammonia-oxidizing micro-organisms. The paper highlights the impact of crude oil spills on the environment. The paper also demonstrates the effects of phytoremediation to treat the oil spills. Many scientific studies had been conducted to evaluate the effects of phytoremediation (Using Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosococcus oceani) for crude oil degradation. Crude oil spills had significant impacts on the development of Atlantic Bluefin tuna. The paper also demonstrates the effects of chemicals present in crude oil on the marine ecosystem. Lastly, the paper highlights the most suitable remediation available to treat oil spills around the globe.
Influence of Crude Oil on Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosococcus oceani
The scientific study evaluated the inhibitory action of various ammonia degrading microorganisms. The inhibition of nitrite production was observed at 100 pbb crude oil. Among all the microorganisms tested in the study, Nitrosopumilus maritimus had greater degree of sensitivity. Nitrosopumilus maritimus showed 20% inhibition at 1 pbb of crude oil. Nitrosopumilus maritimus represents the Marine Group I Archaea. On the other hand, Nitrosococcus oceani showed minimal inhibitory effect. The difference in susceptibility from different microorganisms may play an important role in ecological studies. The researchers demonstrate the importance of Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosococcus oceani in crude oil nitrification that would help ecologists to treat oil spills around the globe. (Biello, D. 2010)
Many scientific studies have proven the effect of Nitrosopumilus maritimus in hydrocarbon degradation. Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosococcus oceani have been compared to evaluate which species has a higher rate of hydrocarbon degradation. The inhibition of 1 pbb crude oil by Nitrosopumilus maritimus was found to be higher compare to that of Nitrosococcus oceani. Both species are capable of metabolizing hydrocarbons and were also found to have denitrifying activity to some extent. However, the denitrifying activity of Nitrosopumilus maritimus was found to be higher compare to Nitrosococcus oceani. To conclude, Nitrosopumilus maritimus would successfully survive in an environment rich in hydrocarbons. More than 70% of crude oil spills around the globe have been treated with the help of Nitrosopumilus maritimus species. (Urakawa., et al; 2012)
Influence of Crude Oil on Thunnus thynnus
Scientists at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Stanford University have discovered the toxic effects of chemicals in crude oil on the heart cells of fish. The researchers demonstrated the toxic effects of crude oil that were associated with decreased heart contraction, irregular heartbeats, and slow heart rate. Chronic heart disorders were associated with high mortality rates of fish. The deep water oil rig disaster resulted in the release of 4 million barrels of crude oil in the Gulf of Mexico. The incident took place in the major spawning area of Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna. Unfortunately, the incident took place during the spawning season of Thunnus thynnus. Many tuna embryos and fish larvae were exposed to the crude oil that caused significant decrease in the number of new Bluefin Tuna members. (Byrd., D. 2014)
Effects on the development of Thunnus thynnus: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in crude oil are considered to disrupt the normal function of the heart in the Bluefin tuna. PAHs are associated with relaxation and contraction of in the heart muscle of tuna. However, PAHs are considered to linger in the environment for a long time. Stanford researchers have demonstrated the effects of PAHs on the functions of the heart muscles. The ability of the heart cells to beat is associated with the movement of essential ions like potassium and calcium into and out the cells. The chemicals present in crude oil are responsible to disrupt the normal function of the heart muscles.
Economic impact of crude oil spills in the area: There was significant economic loss observed in the area since tuna is considered to be a prime food product around the globe. The oil spill had significant impacts on the tourism, offshore drilling and fishing in the area. The NOAA had closed 86,985 square miles of fresh waters in the Gulf of Mexico that resulted in decreased commercial fishing and an estimate of $2.5 billion loss to the fishing industry.
Highly conserved gene and the effects of hydrocarbons on humans: Highly conserved sequences are identical sequences that are found in the nucleotide sequences. A conserved sequence is said to have a conserved gene. A conserved gene is said to be found in different species without having similar resemblance to each other. However, the presence of a conserved gene suggests that the species are closely related. The effects of hydrocarbons on humans are dreadful. Hydrocarbons interfere with the central nervous system and impair cognitive function. Hydrocarbons are also known to cause cardiovascular complications. Some of the hydrocarbons are also associated with chronic diseases like cancer in humans. (Byrd., D 2014)
Recommendations for Remediation
Genetic engineering has emerged as one of the best interventions for ecological remediation. Many researchers have demonstrated the positive impacts of genetic engineered prokaryotes in remediation of oil spills. In this paper, two important prokaryotes, Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosococcus oceani have been highlighted. Many researchers genetically engineer prokaryotes or introduce prokaryotic species that have genes associated with hydrocarbon degradation. Nitrosopumilus maritimus is considered to be the first reported chemolithoautotroph nitrifier in the domain archaea. Autotrophic metabolism by Nitrosopumilus is associated with the presence of 3-hydroxypropionate pathway. Nitrosopumilus maritimus is said oxidize ammonia to nitrite by growing in chemolithoautotrophical conditions. Researchers in a scientific study demonstrated nitrification of ammonium chloride by Nitrosopumilis maritimus. On the other hand, Nitrosococcus oceani is associated with oxidation of ammonia for its growth. The denitrification process of Nitrosococcus oceani has been demonstrated in many scientific studies. The amoC, amoA, and amoB genes are associated with denitrification process. (Amos, J. 2014)
Remediation of oil spills with genetically engineered prokaryotes is considered to be one of the best interventions for crude oil spills. However, many scientists suggest that the introduction of prokaryotic species into a favorable environment may result in an outgrowth of species. The overall fauna of the affected area would change drastically. Metabolic activity of prokaryotes involved in phytoremediation may change after few years. There are many concerns about the long-term effects of phytoremediation. To conclude, remediation of oil spills in oceans is considered to be one of the best interventions. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and metabolic activities that are associated with the degradation of hydrocarbons, ammonia, and PAHs. (Biello, D. 2013)
Conclusions
The paper highlights the impact of crude oil spills on the environment. The paper also demonstrates the effects of phytoremediation to treat the oil spills. Many scientific studies had been conducted to evaluate the effects of phytoremediation (Using Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosococcus oceani) for crude oil degradation. Crude oil spills had significant impacts on the development of Atlantic Bluefin tuna. Scientists at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Stanford University have discovered the toxic effects of chemicals in crude oil on the heart cells of fish. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in crude oil are considered to disrupt the normal function of the heart in the Bluefin tuna. The paper also demonstrates the effects of chemicals present in crude oil on the marine ecosystem. There was significant economic loss observed in the area since tuna is considered to be a prime food product around the globe. The oil spill had significant impacts on the tourism, offshore drilling and fishing in the area. Lastly, the paper highlights the most suitable remediation available to treat oil spills around the globe. In this paper, two important prokaryotes, Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosococcus oceani have been highlighted. Many researchers genetically engineer prokaryotes or introduce prokaryotic species that have genes associated with hydrocarbon degradation. (Biello, D. 2013)
References
Biello D (2010) Clean Up the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Scientific America: May 25, 2010.
Urakawa, H., Garcia, Juan C., Barreto, Patricia D., Molina, Gabriela A., Barreto, Jose C. (2012). A sensitive crude oil bioassay indicates that oil spills potentially induce a change of major nitrifying prokaryotes from the Archaea to the Bacteria. Environmental Pollution. 164:42-45.
Byrd D (2014) How oil spill chemicals cause heart failure in fish. EarthSky Feb 18, 2014.
Biello D (2013) Scientific American Instant Egghead Video: Can Microbes clean Up Our Oily Mess? Accessed on February 25, 2014 at http://www.scientificamerican.com/video/can-microbes-clean-up-our-oily-mess2013-12-11/
Amos J. (2014) Interview with Professor Barbara Block on BBC News, February 14, 2014. Accessed February 25, 2014 at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-26184116
