Final answer:
True, Gammaproteobacteria are effective in biodegrading hydrocarbons and are used in bioremediation, notably in cleaning up oil spills by breaking down hydrocarbons into inorganic compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, Gammaproteobacteria can be used for the biodegradation of hydrocarbons. These bacteria, particularly species like Alcanivorax borkumensis, have shown significant utility in the cleanup of oil spills. Bioremediation strategies involve adding inorganic nutrients that support bacterial growth, thereby accelerating the breakdown of hydrocarbons into inorganic compounds, such as carbon dioxide. Under optimal conditions, up to 80 percent of the nonvolatile components in oil have been reported to be degraded within a year of an oil spill. Gammaproteobacteria belong to a diverse group, where some are known for oxidizing sulfur compounds while others have been engineered with enhanced capabilities to deal with a wider spectrum of hydrocarbon compounds.