Changes in prokaryotic community structure in hydrocarbon-contaminated soils after different treatments

We have compared changes in prokaryotic community structure after bioremediation of soil highly contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Three different approaches were applied: biostimulation, bioaugmetation with an undefined hydrocarbon-degrading community (C 1) and bioaugmentation with a defined mixed culture (C2) consisting of seven well-characterized hydrocarbon degraders. Our study revealed that all approaches resulted in substantial reduction of pollutants, albeit the best effect was observed in case of bioaugmetation with the mixed culture C2. Soil microbial community structure was also significantly altered after each treatment.