Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria from a polluted harbour in Sicily (Italy): isolation, identification and characterization of their biotechnological potential.

Metabolic specialization is a general biological principle that shapes the assembly of microbial communities. Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (HCB) are marine bacteria that are specialised in hydrocarbon degradation and use hydrocarbons almost exclusively as unique C and energy source. HCB become dominant in oil-­‐impacted environments and are particularly adapted for removal of hydrocarbons from contaminated sites through bioremediation treatments. The petrochemical site of Priolo-­‐Augusta-­‐Melilli (Sicily, Italy), is a Site of National Interest (SIN) due to high levels of environmental contamination of the coastline and a specific "national program of environmental remediation and restorat…