Research Article

Bioremediating Oil Spills in Nutrient Poor Ocean Waters Using Fertilized Clay Mineral Flakes: Some Experimental Constraints

Figure 5

Transmission electron microscope image and selective elemental maps for C, P, and N of the clay-treated oil showing relationships between bacteria, oil, and palygorskite (Pg) clay mineral particles. Weight (%) element composition of analysis A (bacterial cell) in decreasing abundance is C 26%, O 28%, Na 18%, K 10%, N 5%, Si 4%, S 3%, Mg 2%, Ca 1%, Cl, Al, P, and Fe each >1%. Weight (%) element composition of analysis B (biofilm) in decreasing abundance is C 28% O 16%, Na 8%, K 17%, Cl 14%, N 7%, S 5%, Si 2%, Mg 1%, Ca 1%, Al, and P each <1%.
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