Characterization and Identification of Long-chain Hydrocar-bon-Degrading Bacterial Communities in Long-Term Chroni-cally Polluted Soil in Ogoniland: An Integrated Approach Us-ing Culture-Dependent and Independent Methods

Escalating oil consumption has resulted in an increase in accidental spills of petroleum hydrocarbons, causing severe environmental degradation, notably in vulnerable regions like the Niger Delta. Complex mixture of these hydrocarbons particularly long-chain alkanes presents unique challenges in restoration of polluted environment due to their chemical properties. This study aimed to inves-tigate the long-chain hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial communities within long-term chronically polluted soil in Ogoniland, by utilizing both traditional cultivation methods and modern cul-ture-independent techniques.