Petroleum biomarkers are small organic, abiogenic compounds that are formed during petroleum dia- or catagenesis in-reservoir. They are believed to be recalcitrant to biologically mediated surface transformation processes, and are thus used for forensic purposes, such as the identification of pollutors of marine oil spills. Moreover, they reflect microbial reservoir conditions. However, evidence for the occurrence of microbial biodegradation under environmental conditions is accumulating, potentially uprooting many biomarker-based forensic approaches.

In this diploma thesis, the (potential) biodegradation of several selected petroleum hydrocarbons is to be investigated in batch biotransformation experiments using pure cultures and environmental consortia, determination of responsible enzymes and metabolites. Part of a collaboration with Curtin University, Australia.

Prerequisites:

Independence and reliability. Interest in environmental forensics. Strong background in microbial/molecular biology and organic chemistry. Extras: interpretation of mass spectra, proteomics.

Duration: minimum 6 months in-lab, financial reimbursement possible.

Place of assignment: IFA-Tulln (25 min to Vienna)

Start of work: as soon as possible, at least 1-2 weeks in December 2015.

Talk to: Kerstin Brandstaetter-Scherr

Working Group Contaminant Biogeochemistry

http://www.ifa-tulln.boku.ac.at/institut-fuer-umweltbiotechnologie/berei...