''Marinobacter'' is a genus of
bacteria
Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among ...
found in sea water. They are also found in a variety of salt lakes.
A number of
strains and
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
can
degrade
Degradation may refer to:
Science
* Degradation (geology), lowering of a fluvial surface by erosion
* Degradation (telecommunications), of an electronic signal
* Biodegradation of organic substances by living organisms
* Environmental degradation ...
hydrocarbon
In organic chemistry, a hydrocarbon is an organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon. Hydrocarbons are examples of group 14 hydrides. Hydrocarbons are generally colourless and hydrophobic, and their odors are usually weak or ex ...
s. The species involved in hydrocarbon degradation include ''
M. alkaliphilus'', ''
M. arcticus'', ''
M. hydrocarbonoclasticus'', ''
M. maritimus'' & ''
M. squalenivorans''.
There are currently 46 species of Marinobacter that are characterized by Gram-negative rods and salt-tolerance.
References
Alteromonadales
Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria
Bacteria genera
{{Alteromonadales-stub