The effects of environmental conditions on the growth of petroleum microbes by microcalorimetry

The growth and metabolism ability of two strains of petroleum microbe isolated from oil reservoirs was studied by calorimetry. Thermal power–time curves under various environmental conditions (including temperature, acidity, salinity and carbon source) were determined. Typical microbial growth thermal power–time curves were obtained. By fitting the curves mathematically with the ‘three-point method’ under an inhibitory condition, the growth rate constants and the optimum growth conditions (including temperature, acidity and salinity) of the microbes studied were obtained. Irregular thermal power–time curves were obtained when the petroleum microbe E grew in the media containing different carbon sources.