Methods for Enumeration of Microorganisms in Petroleum Land Treatment Soils
Abstract
Rapid and effective methods for enumerating microorganisms in petroleum land treatment soils would allow timely adjustment of waste loading, soil water content, plowing frequency, and other environmental conditions to optimize degradation rates. Experiments were performed to compare enumeration procedures on soil samples from an operating system. Plate counts were made with four media: brain-heart infusion agar, brain-heart agar enriched with motor oil, brain-heart agar enriched with acetate, and brain-heart agar enriched with the waste being applied at the site. The tests also employed incubation periods of 48, 72, and 96 hours. Best results were obtained with acetate-enriched media incubated for 96 hours.