Microbial diversity analysis of mixed oil sand outcrops enrichments collected from Horse River, Fort McMurray, AB using next-generation 16S pyrosequencing

Bitumen tablets can be found in nature at the rivers near oil sands deposits and these bitumen outcrops are naturally degraded. The microbes involved and the mechanisms that are employed for the bitumen biodegradation are currently unknown. The purpose of the study is to investigate the aerobic conditions that favour bitumen biodegradation with and without the help of light and to determine the microbial communities that are responsible. 16S rRNA gene-based survey was performed using next-generation pyrosequencing technologies in the various types of mixed oil sands outcrops enrichments.