GEOCHEMISTRY AND MICROBIAL DIVERSITY COMPARISON OF TWO NATURAL HYDROCARBON SEEPS ON THE ISLAND OF BARBADOS

A pilot study was conducted to identify and compare microbial communities of two natural crude oil and bitumen seeps that occur on the island of Barbados. The natural macro-seeps located at Turner Hall Woods and Conset Bay are characterized by different environments: siliciclastic versus carbonate, fresh water versus salt water, and crude oil versus bitumen seepage, respectively. Samples were analyzed for microbial diversity and water geochemistry to determine the effect of microbial degradation on hydrocarbons. These two locations are similar at the phylum level, yet differ significantly at the genus level, with the fresh water location, Turner Hall Woods, being more diverse than the salt water location, Conset Bay. Both locations are dominated by the phylum, Proteobacteria. Many well-known hydrocarbon degraders are members of this phylum. Several other known hydrocarbon degrading bacteria were also identified at both locations, suggesting some degree of degradation has occurred. In addition, many unclassified species were detected, thus opening the door for further research into what role each new species may play in the seep environments of Barbados. Further research focused on the role these microbes play in the degree of biodegradation will be pursued, as well as their potential use in bioremediation.