Insights into the Anaerobic Biodegradation Pathway of n -Alkanes in Oil Reservoirs by Detection of Signature Metabolites

摘要: Anaerobic degradation of alkanes in hydrocarbon-rich environments has been documented and different strategies proposed, which the most encountered one is fumarate addition mechanism, generating alkylsuccinates as specific biomarkers. However, little known about mechanisms anaerobic oil reservoirs, due to low concentrations signature metabolites lack mass spectral characteristics allow identification. In this work, we used a multidisciplinary approach combining metabolite profiling selective gene assays establish biodegradation mechanism reservoirs. A total twelve production fluids from three reservoirs were collected treated with alkali; organic acids extracted, derivatized ethanol form ethyl esters determined using GC-MS analysis. Collectively, parent compounds C1 C8 together their (putative) downstream detected these samples. Additionally, indicative mono- poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (2-benzylsuccinate, naphthoate, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-naphthoate) also observed. The detection genes encoding for alkylsuccinate synthase shows that via occurs This work provides strong evidence on situ by addition.