Bacterial diversity in oil-polluted marine coastal sediments

- 'Omics' tools confirm that bacterial inhabiting coastal marine sediments harbour a great biodegradation potential.
- Oil biodegradation in sediments is limited by sediment geochemistry (electron acceptors) and the availability of nutrients.
- Bacterial response to hydrocarbons in the aerobic zone resembles that of the water column.
- The DWH accident recalls our attention to research on polluted sediments, especially in the anoxic zone.