Transformation of Heavy Balakhani Oil Hydrocarbons in the Course of Oil Biodegradation in Soil

Abstract

Changes in the composition of heavy Balakhani oil in the course of its biodegradation in soil were studied. The ability of microorganisms isolated from oil-contaminated soils to degrade petroleum products of various degrees of condensation (petroleum and its hexane, benzene, and alcohol–benzene fractions) was evaluated. The ways of biological oxidation of heavy oil by hydrocarbon-oxidizing microorganisms were investigated. It was found that the process of biological oxidation of the test oil contributed to dewaxing and aromatization and increased oil oxidation level due to an increase in oxygen-containing groups.