Environmental Studies and Forestry

An integrated metagenomic and metabolite profiling study of hydrocarbon biodegradation and corrosion in navy ships

C. R. Marks, K. E. Duncan, et al.

Discover how marine microbial communities are at the forefront of accelerating fuel and infrastructure deterioration in US Navy vessels. This groundbreaking study by Christopher R. Marks, Kathleen E. Duncan, Mark A. Nanny, Brian H. Harriman, Recep Avci, Athenia L. Oldham, and Joseph M. Suflita unveils the intricate relationship between hydrocarbon biodegradation and metal biocorrosion in ballast tanks.

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Abstract

This study investigates the interplay between hydrocarbon biodegradation and metal biocorrosion in the ballast tanks of US Navy vessels. Metagenomic and metabolite profiling of ballast water with varying residence times (1, ~20, and 31 weeks) revealed a rapid shift in microbial communities from aerobic *Gammaproteobacteria* dominating in younger ballast to anaerobic *Deltaproteobacteria* dominating in older ballast. This shift correlated with changes in hydrocarbon degradation genes and the presence of diagnostic metabolites. Elevated levels of Fe, Mn, Ni, and Cu in all ballast samples indicated corrosion, likely exacerbated by microbial activity. The findings suggest that marine microbial communities accelerate fuel and infrastructure deterioration in naval vessels.

Publisher

npj Materials Degradation

Published On

Dec 01, 2021

Authors

Christopher R. Marks, Kathleen E. Duncan, Mark A. Nanny, Brian H. Harriman, Recep Avci, Athenia L. Oldham, Joseph M. Suflita

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