Microbial Ecology Studies of the Metula Spill in the Straits of Magellan

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Abstract
The grounding of the tanker V.L.C.C. Metula in the Straits of Magellan in August 1974 provided a unique opportunity to study a massive spill in a cold region on a long-term basis. Removal of spilled oil from the Metula was solely by in situ physiochemical and biological mechanisms. Microbiological studies undertaken in May 1976 showed increased heterotrophic bacterial populations at oil-impacted sites. A cold-tolerant population of petroleum degrading bacteria was observed. From biodegradation studies, we concluded that oil degradation under in situ conditions proceeds relatively slowly, with marked persistence of Metula oil in the Straits of Magellan 2 yr after the original spill. Key words: petroleum degradation, oil spills, Straits of Magellan, microbial degradation of oil, Metula

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