The use of molecular biology techniques for monitoring hydrocarbon degrading thermophilic bacteria as agents for monitoring soil contamination and/or natural attenuation

Recent research has shown the existence of highly thermophilic aerobic bacilli (belonging to the genus Geobacillus) in significant numbers in many if not most soils world wide including those of cold environments. Extremely thermophilic bacteria have normally been isolated from hot environments so their presence in cold soil environments and at high levels presented a paradox since they are capable of growth in culture at only between 40-80°C. One of the interesting characteristics of many of these isolates is their ability to grow and degrade alkanes, which suggests that they may be able to play a role in the attenuation of hydrocarbon contaminated soils. In order to assess their activity in situ in the soil, molecular biology techniques have been employed targeting the alkane monooxygenase gene. Results showed a high level of diversity of these thermophilic geobacilli in soil. The role that these bacteria may play in hydrocarbon biodegradation under specific circumstances is explored.