… bacteria can feed on oil pollution?

Scientists know of more than 500 organisms that can consume different types of hydrocarbons, including oil. The most specialised is a genus, which survives almost solely from breaking down crude oil. The species that usually contributes most to the natural clean-up is The rod-shaped bacterium thrives in warm oxygen-rich salt water. However the nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus must be available – otherwise the oil breakdown process comes to a halt. In cases of pollution, biologists can add nutrients to ocean water which will improve conditions for the bacteria to break down as much oil as possible.