Amber Pete

 

Oil spills have a lasting impact with devastation to the local marine environment continuing for months to even years following the spill. Dispersants which have been used more recently seek to “dissolve” the oil and remove it from the surface of the sea. The oil can then disperse with the expectations that it will be degraded by marine organisms (bioremediation), but unfortunately, traditional chemical dispersants can increase the toxicity of the oil and prevent bioremediation from taking place. Bioremediation alone is one of the most effective methods for oil removal, however complete degradation can take as long as several months. My interdisciplinary research project seeks to enhance bioremediation by:

1. Understanding the mechanisms by which microbes attach to the oil-water interface, form biofilms, secrete biosurfactants, and degrade oil. Understanding these mechanisms will allow for the development of technology and materials that work best with the microorganisms without large impacts on the lag phase of growth.

2. Developing low-cost, environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical dispersants that can work with microorganisms to increase degradation rates.