Final answer:
Prokaryotes are used in the cleanup of oil spills. They break down the hydrocarbons in the oil droplets and solubilize the oil, allowing for its degradation into carbon dioxide. Up to 80 percent of the nonvolatile components in oil can be degraded within one year of the spill.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the most useful and interesting examples of the use of prokaryotes for bioremediation purposes is the cleanup of oil spills. The significance of prokaryotes to petroleum bioremediation has been demonstrated in several oil spills in recent years. Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria feed on hydrocarbons in the oil droplet, breaking them down into smaller subunits. Some bacteria also produce surfactants that solubilize the oil, while others degrade the oil into carbon dioxide. Under ideal conditions, up to 80 percent of the nonvolatile components in oil can be degraded within one year of the spill.