Following the Deepwater Horizon Accident in the Gulf of Mexico

Multiple Choice

Following the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, bioremediation was used to eliminate much of the oil from the contaminated water.To encourage the growth of oil-degrading microbes, "fertilizer" including iron and nitrogen was added to the water.Which of the following statements regarding the growth of these microbes is incorrect?

A) The concentration of sulfate in the Gulf of Mexico is sufficient for the growth of oil-degrading microbes.
B) Large amounts of iron were needed, as iron is a macronutrient for oil-degrading microbes.
C) Nitrogen gas (N₂) present in air is not in a form that can be used by oil-degrading microbes.
D) The oil-degrading microbes used oil (hydrocarbons) as their carbon source.