How Microbes Will Clean Up the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Slick Solution: How Microbes Will Clean Up the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
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Slick Solution: How Microbes Will Clean Up the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
Introduction
Exploration and extraction of oil from the seas has negative implications to the environment. Spilling of oil may occur and this has an impact on the aquatic life as well as conditions on the land and atmosphere. Cleaning of oil spills such as that being experienced in Gulf of Mexico is desirable. However, this is challenging where oils spills are at deep waters since no effective methods have been developed. Natural methods of clean ups are through activities of microbes and other bacteria while artificial processes involve use of dispersants to break oil drops into small pieces for microbial activity (Biello, 2010). There are efforts to modify microbes as well as discovering other ways of increasing microbial activity to enhance ocean clean-ups. However, microbes and other bacteria are considered the ultimate solution. The purpose of this paper is to discuss aspects that are related to cleaning up oil spills in Gulf of Mexico and will be achieved by exploring bacteria that would facilitate clean ups.
Difference between a Prokaryotic and a Eukaryotic Cell
Prokaryotic cell differs from a eukaryotic one in structure and composition. The DNA of prokaryotic cell is in a nucleus enclosed by a membrane whereas no membrane surround nucleus region that contain DNA in a eukaryotic cell (Black, 2008). Prokaryotic cell has several organelles that are enclosed in membranes whilst eukaryotic cell normally lack organelles surrounded with membranes.
Definitions
* Archaea: This is the domain comprising of micro-organisms that are made of single cells. Single-celled microbes are basically prokaryotes and hence the domain is said to contain species with cells that lack nucleus along with absence of membranes to surround cell organelles.
* Nitrifying bacteria: These are bacteria that oxidize nitrous acid in substances into nitric acid which is helpful in degradation of substances (Caneva, Nugari & Salvadori, 2008). Nitrous acid is formed from oxidation of ammonia compounds.
* Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria: These are bacteria that convert ammonia in substances into nitrous acid that is helpful in breaking down of substances into less harmful chemical compounds.
* Gram-negative vs. gram-positive bacteria: Gram negative comprises of group of bacteria that do not retain violet color of Gram reagent used in identifying bacteria. On the other hand, some bacteria retain violet stain when tested with the reagent and are referred to as gram positive bacteria.
* Hydrocarbon: Hydrocarbon is a chemical compound that consists of hydrogen and carbon atoms. There are various combinations of atoms for both elements hence forming different hydrocarbon compounds. The combi...