Marine beach sand Targeted Locus (Loci). beach sand metagenome

To investigate the Gulf Coast beach microbial response to hydrocarbon exposure, we examined the functional gene diversity, bacterial community composition, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degradation potential of a heavily oiled beach and a non-oiled beach following the Deepwater Horizon blowout. Comparisons were made to assess whether beaches with a differing recent oiling history responded differently to PAH exposure and to identify the PAH degradation potential in these sands.