Dosage of anaerobic hydrocarbonoclastic flora

Anaerobic hydrocarbonoclastic flora includes microorganisms capable of degrading hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions. These specialized bacteria are involved in natural and assisted pollution remediation processes, particularly in oxygen-deprived environments such as saturated soils, sediments, or industrial sludge.

Their quantification in the laboratory is essential for assessing the bioremediation potential of a contaminated site and monitoring the effectiveness of the processes implemented to decontaminate matrices polluted by hydrocarbons.

Importance of dosage

The determination of anaerobic hydrocarbonoclastic flora makes it possible to determine the presence and abundance of microorganisms involved in the biodegradation of hydrocarbons. This analysis is crucial in the context of:

• environmental assessments prior to a decontamination operation
• monitoring of in situ and ex situ bioremediation sites
• surveillance of high-risk industrial sites (refineries, oil depots, port platforms)
• research and development projects on biological decontamination processes

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

Available analytical methods

Several complementary approaches make it possible to characterize the anaerobic hydrocarbonoclastic flora:

• Enumeration on specific culture media: a classic technique which consists of cultivating bacteria on selective substrates containing hydrocarbons under anaerobic conditions, making it possible to assess their actual degradation capacity.
• PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): a molecular biology method which detects and quantifies the characteristic genes involved in the degradation of hydrocarbons.
• DNA sequencing (NGS – Next Generation Sequencing): an advanced approach which makes it possible to obtain a complete map of microbial diversity and to identify the different species involved in the biodegradation processes.

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

Affected matrices

The dosage of anaerobic hydrocarbonoclastic flora is applied to different 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 potential for biodegradation in the field and to adapt biological decontamination strategies.

Industrial and environmental applications

The quantification of anaerobic hydrocarbonoclastic flora is part of an approach to the sustainable management of polluted sites and the promotion of bioremediation processes. It allows:

• verify the feasibility of biological decontamination before implementation
• continuously monitor the effectiveness of biological treatment
• assess microbial resilience after accidental contamination
• contribute to regulatory compliance within the framework of environmental monitoring

These scientific data strengthen the reliability of environmental studies and provide 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 decontamination:

Assay of aerobic hydrocarbonoclastic flora
Assay of methanogenic flora

These additional services allow for a global characterization of microbial communities and a better understanding of biological decontamination mechanisms.

YesWeLab expertise

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of partner laboratories specialized in environmental microbiology, rigorously selected and for the most part ISO 17025 certified and COFRAC accredited.

Since 2020, our digital platform has simplified analysis management for manufacturers, design offices, and site operators. It allows you to centralize requests, track sample progress, and receive reliable results within optimized timeframes.

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