FIG. 2.

(A) n-Alkane consumption and methane production in crushed residual-oil-bearing core incubations. Closed triangles, n-alkane-to-standard peak area ratio in inoculated residual oil cultures; open triangles, n-alkane-to-standard peak area ratio in uninoculated and sterile controls; closed circles, methane production in inoculated residual oil cultures; open circles, methane production in uninoculated residual oil incubations. (B) Total ion chromatograms showing the consumption of n-alkanes over 4 months when crushed residual-oil-bearing core material was inoculated with a methanogenic, hydrocarbon-degrading consortium. Pr, pristane; Ph, phytane; C₂₄D₅₀, extraction standard; S₈, sulfur.