Assay of hydrocarbonoclast anaerobic flora

Hydrocarbonoclastic anaerobic flora includes microorganisms capable of degrading hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions. These specialized bacteria play a role in natural and assisted pollution control processes, particularly in oxygen-deprived environments such as saturated soils, sediments, or industrial sludge.

Their quantification in the laboratory is essential to assess the bioremediation potential of a contaminated site and to monitor the effectiveness of the processes put in place to decontaminate matrices polluted by hydrocarbons.

Importance of dosage

Measuring the anaerobic hydrocarbonoclast flora allows us to determine the presence and abundance of microorganisms involved in hydrocarbon biodegradation. This analysis is crucial in the context of:

• Environmental assessments prior to remediation operations
• Monitoring of in-situ and ex-situ bioremediation projects
• Monitoring of high-risk industrial sites (refineries, oil depots, port platforms)
• Research and development projects on biological remediation processes

An accurate count of these microorganisms provides operators, design offices and environmental engineers with essential data for decision-making and optimization of treatments.

Available analytical methods

Several complementary approaches allow for the characterization of hydrocarbonoclastic anaerobic flora:

• Enumeration on specific culture media: a classic technique that involves culturing bacteria on selective substrates containing hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions, allowing for the evaluation of their actual degradation capacity.
• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): a molecular biology method that detects and quantifies characteristic genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation.
• DNA sequencing (NGS – Next Generation Sequencing): an advanced approach that provides a comprehensive map of microbial diversity and identifies the different species involved in biodegradation processes.

The combined use of these techniques provides a complete view, both qualitative and quantitative, of the hydrocarbonoclast flora present in a given matrix.

Matrices involved

The measurement of hydrocarbonoclast anaerobic flora is applied to various environmental and industrial matrices, including:

• Soils contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons
• Groundwater or surface water impacted by leaks or spills
• Industrial sludge from production and treatment sites
• Polluted sediments in aquatic environments

This analysis makes it possible to characterize the biodegradation potential in the field and to adapt biological remediation strategies.

Industrial and environmental applications

Quantifying anaerobic hydrocarbonoclast flora is part of a sustainable management approach for polluted sites and the promotion of bioremediation processes. It allows us to:

• Verify the feasibility of biological remediation before implementation
• Continuously monitor the effectiveness of biological treatment
• Evaluate microbial resilience after accidental contamination
• Contribute to regulatory compliance within the framework of environmental monitoring

This scientific data strengthens the reliability of environmental studies and provides operators with guarantees regarding the performance of the processes applied.

Additional analyses available

YesWeLab offers other analytical services to complement the study of microbial flora involved in pollution control:

Assay of aerobic hydrocarbonoclast flora
Assay of methanogenic flora

These additional services allow for a comprehensive characterization of microbial communities and a better understanding of biological pollution control mechanisms.

YesWeLab's expertise

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of partner laboratories specializing in environmental microbiology, rigorously selected and mostly ISO 17025 certified and COFRAC accredited.

Since 2020, our digital platform has simplified analysis management for manufacturers, engineering firms, and site operators. It allows them to centralize requests, track the progress of samples, and receive reliable results within optimized timeframes.

Our scientific team supports each project with precision and responsiveness, offering solutions tailored to complex matrices and regulatory requirements.