image: These SR-FTIR images (~60 micrometers by 60 micrometers) show the distribution of microorganisms, oil and oil degradation products in a "floc." Pictured also is a distribution heat map of the protein amide II vibration modes at ~1542 cm -1, and the carbohydrates vibration modes at ~1000 cm -1 (20). Distribution heat map of alkane C-H vibration modes in oil from MC252. The distribution heat map shows carbonyl (C=O) vibration modes at ~1730 cm-1 in oil oxidation products, nitrogen oxides vibration modes at ~1610 cm-1 in nitration products, and sulfur oxides vibration modes at ~1150 cm-1 in sulphation products. Scale bars = 10 micrometers. This image relates to an article that appeared in the Aug. 24, 2010, issue of Science Express, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Terry Hazen of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, Calif., and colleagues was titled, "Deep-Sea Oil Plume Enriches Psychrophilic Oil-Degrading Bacteria Causing Rapid Disappearance of Oil." view more
Credit: Image courtesy of <i>Science</i>/AAAS