Correct option is C
(c) Monitoring oil concentration in a system inoculated with microbes versus an uninoculated system.
To validate the bioremediation potential of a microbial strain in degrading oil spills, the most relevant experiment would involve monitoring oil concentration in a system where microbes are present compared to one where microbes are absent (uninoculated system). This experiment allows direct observation of the microbial activity on the oil, thereby demonstrating the strain’s ability to degrade the oil in a natural seawater environment.
Monitoring the reduction in oil concentration after inoculating with the microbial strain provides clear evidence of bioremediation.
Additional Information:
(a) Using seawater without oil contamination to monitor microbial growth: This experiment does not test the degradation of oil. It only monitors microbial growth in the absence of oil, which does not reflect the bioremediation process.
(b) Testing microbial growth in seawater with added nutrients but no oil: While nutrients can enhance microbial growth, the absence of oil means this experiment would not validate the oil-degrading potential of the microbes.
(d) Comparing microbial growth in aerated versus non-aerated seawater samples: Aeration may affect microbial growth but does not directly measure the microbial strain's ability to degrade oil in the context of bioremediation.
