Microbial utilization of sand patty oil residue with and without solar exposure

Sand patties were collected from beaches between Fort Morgan and Gulf Shores, AL in January and March of 2014. Aqueous extracts of sand patties were studied in a laboratory setting to determine aerobic microbial bioavailability as assessed by oxygen uptake for dark and solar exposed sand patties. In addition, high resolution mass spectrometry was utilized to determine the molecular formulas of water soluble species released by the sand patties in the dark and under solar irradiation. Changes in molecular composition were also assessed as a function of microbial utilization of the water soluble species for dark and solar exposed sand patties.