As part of the Multi-Partner Research Initiatives 1 and 2, we deployed in situ mesocosms consisting of fluorocarbon nettings covered with fuels (Arctic diesel, Bunker C, and Ultra low sulfur fuel oil) on Assistance Bay (Cornwallis Island, Nunavut, Canada) to determine if the native beach microbiota can biodegrade these fuels. After a month, the microbial community in the fuel treatments contained more hydrocarbon degrader taxa, compared to the untreated controls. We also found a larger proportion of genes associated with hydrocarbon degradation in the fuel-treated mesocosms. Additionally, we observed degradation of the aliphatic (51.3%) and aromatic (20.3%) fractions of the tested fuels. While the beach microbial community is able to respond to the presence of hydrocarbons in their environment, only partial degradation of the fuels was achieved. We believe that the cold and oligotrophic environment of the Canadian high Arctic is limiting the metabolic activity of the microbial community. To overcome this problem, we are currently evaluating the addition of nutrients to stimulate microbial activity as well as increasing the duration of the experiment in order to achieve higher levels of biodegradation.

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2024
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