Abstract
Subject of research presented in this paper was to evaluate the effect of depositing
waste from the production of coke oven gas in the soil microorganisms inhabiting it, especially
those with potential properties for biodegradation of hydrocarbons present in the waste. The
number of microorganisms was evaluated according to MPN method (Most Probable Number)
using microtiter plates. In the samples of the analyzed soil material were detected
microorganisms are active in the decomposition of aliphatic, aromatic and mixtures of
hydrocarbons. Depending on the level of soil sampling (0–30 and 30–60 cm) the quantitative
microbial diversity has been demonstrated. With increasing depths seen considerable increase
in the number of microbial cells participating in the biological decomposition of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons, which are the main component of pollution.