Microbial communities in black crusts: an approach for assessing carbon utilisation

Abstract

Bacteria isolated from the black crusts of the Diputación Foral de Guipúzcoa were tested for their ability to use a number of carbon sources. Low molecular weight compounds related with partially combusted or uncombusted fossil fuels were readily used as carbon source. This and previous works indicated that on the surfaces of building stones there is an active microflora degrading fossil fuel derivatives. Therefore, biological activity plays a role in the fate of organic compounds deposited on building stones located in urban (polluted) environments.