A Comparative Study of Chemical and Microbiological Monitoring of Pollutant Hydrocarbons in Urban Aquatic Environments

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Abstract
Conventional chemical and microbiological methods, aromatics by UV-fluorescence and the number of oil-degrading microorganisms, respectively, were used for the monitoring of pollutant hydrocarbons in 3 aquatic systems: 2 rivers, 1 harbor and 3 marine coastal areas. An evaluation of the 1st yr data was presented. Relative populations of total heterotrophic microorganisms and those of degrading hydrocarbons correlated satisfactorily with hydrocarbon concentrations in marine areas, where chronic pollution situations occurred; unreliable results were obtained in the river systems. The water temperature had a positive influence on the response of microorganisms to oil pollution.