Diesel and Crude Oil Biodegradation by Cold-Adapted Microbial Communities in the Labrador Sea

Abstract

Increases in transportation of diesel and crude oil in the Labrador Sea will pose a significant threat to remote benthic and shoreline environments, where coastal communities and wildlife are particularly vulnerable to oil spill contaminants. Whereas marine microbiology has not been incorporated into environmental assessments in the Labrador Sea, there is a growing demand for microbial biodiversity evaluations given the pronounced impact of climate change in this region.