There is evidence that bacteria are responsible for the breakdown of petroleum beneath the surface. The Alberta oil sands are also believed to be the result of microbial activity. A better understanding of how these bacteria degrade petroleum will help environmental scientists to plan more effective and practical strategies for removing petroleum pollutants from soils and water. Bacteria isolated from soil sediments, at depth 1.5 metres. Many spores can be seen in addition to the living bacteria.
Spores are a mechanism of survival bacteria use under adverse environmental conditions.
Microbial Communities Bacteria below the surface do not have an easy life. Life is very hard. Food is usually scarce, and water is essential for any life form to exist. Communities are more than just a mixture of different species. Like cells, they appear to behave as evolving proliferating units.