Editing Hydrocarbon (section)

==Environmental impact==
Burning hydrocarbons as fuel, which produces [[carbon dioxide]] and [[water]], is a major contributor to anthropogenic [[global warming]].
Hydrocarbons are introduced into the environment through their extensive use as fuels and chemicals as well as through leaks or accidental spills during exploration, production, refining, or transport of fossil fuels. Anthropogenic hydrocarbon contamination of soil is a serious global issue due to contaminant persistence and the negative impact on human health.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226738847|title=Microbial Degradation of Alkanes (PDF Download Available)|website=ResearchGate|language=en|access-date=2017-02-23|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224053341/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226738847_Microbial_Degradation_of_Alkanes|archive-date=24 February 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Mechanisms involved in phytoremediation.png|thumb|upright=1.8|Mechanisms involved in hydrocarbon [[phytoremediation]]<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Rohrbacher | first1=Fanny | last2=St-Arnaud | first2=Marc | title=Root Exudation: The Ecological Driver of Hydrocarbon Rhizoremediation | journal=Agronomy | publisher=MDPI AG | volume=6 | issue=1 | date=2016-03-09 | issn=2073-4395 | doi=10.3390/agronomy6010019 | page=19| doi-access=free | bibcode=2016Agron...6...19R }}</ref>]]

When soil is contaminated by hydrocarbons, it can have a significant impact on its microbiological, chemical, and physical properties. This can serve to prevent, slow down or even accelerate the growth of vegetation depending on the exact changes that occur. Crude oil and natural gas are the two largest sources of hydrocarbon contamination of soil.<ref>{{Citation|title=Additives Affecting the Microbial Degradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons|date=2000-06-09|work=Bioremediation of Contaminated Soils|pages=353–360|publisher=CRC Press|doi=10.1201/9781482270235-27|isbn=978-0-429-07804-0}}</ref>

===Bioremediation===
Bioremediation of hydrocarbon from soil or water contaminated is a formidable challenge because of the chemical inertness that characterize hydrocarbons (hence they survived millions of years in the source rock).  Nonetheless, many strategies have been devised, bioremediation being prominent.  The basic problem with bioremediation is the paucity of enzymes that act on them. Nonetheless, the area has received regular attention.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.023|title=A comprehensive guide of remediation technologies for oil contaminated soil — Present works and future directions|year=2016|last1=Lim|first1=Mee Wei|last2=Lau|first2=Ee Von|last3=Poh|first3=Phaik Eong|journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin|volume=109|issue=1|pages=14–45|pmid=27267117|bibcode=2016MarPB.109...14L }}</ref>
Bacteria in the [[Gabbro|gabbroic layer]] of the ocean's crust can degrade hydrocarbons; but the extreme environment makes research difficult.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Mason OU, Nakagawa T, Rosner M, Van Nostrand JD, Zhou J, Maruyama A, Fisk MR, Giovannoni SJ |title=First investigation of the microbiology of the deepest layer of ocean crust.|date=2010|pmid=21079766|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0015399|volume=5|issue=11|pmc=2974637|journal=PLOS ONE|pages=e15399|bibcode=2010PLoSO...515399M|doi-access=free}}</ref> Other bacteria such as ''[[Lutibacterium anuloederans]]'' can also degrade hydrocarbons.<ref>{{cite journal
| year=2007
| title=Obligate oil-degrading marine bacteria
| journal=Curr. Opin. Biotechnol.
| volume=18
| pages=257–266
| doi=10.1016/j.copbio.2007.04.006
| pmid=17493798
| issue=3|citeseerx=10.1.1.475.3300| last1=Yakimov
| first1=M. M.
| last2=Timmis
| first2=K. N.
| last3=Golyshin
| first3=P. N.
}}
</ref>
[[Mycoremediation]] or breaking down of hydrocarbon by [[mycelium]] and [[mushroom]]s is possible.<ref>{{cite web|last = Stamets|first =  Paul|title = 6 ways mushrooms can save the world|format = video|date = 2008|website = TED Talk|url = http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world?language=en |url-status = live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031151149/http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world?language=en |archive-date=31 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last = Stamets|first = Paul|date = 2005|chapter = Mycoremediation|page = [https://archive.org/details/myceliumrunningh00stam_0/page/86 86]|title = Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World|isbn = 9781580085793|publisher = Ten Speed Press|chapter-url-access = registration|chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/myceliumrunningh00stam_0/page/86}}</ref>