Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Evidence For Microbial Enhanced Electrical Conductivity In Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Sediments, Estella A. Atekwana, Eliot A. Atekwana, D. Dale Werkema, Jonathan P. Allen, Laura A. Smart, Joseph W. Duris, Daniel P. Cassidy, William A. Sauck, Silvia Rossbach

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Bulk electrical conductivity of sediments during microbial mineralization of diesel was investigated in a mesoscale laboratory experiment consisting of biotic contaminated and uncontaminated columns. Population numbers of oil degrading microorganisms increased with a clear pattern of depth zonation within the contaminated column not observed in the uncontaminated column. Microbial community structure determined from ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer analysis showed a highly specialized microbial community in the contaminated column. The contaminated column showed temporal increases in bulk conductivity, dissolved inorganic carbon, and calcium, suggesting that the high bulk conductivity is due to enhanced mineral weathering from microbial activity. The greatest change …