The chapter discusses the microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in the environment, focusing on the factors that influence this process. It highlights the importance of hydrocarbon biodegradation in cleaning up environmental contamination, particularly from oil spills. The text covers various aspects, including the chemical composition and physical state of hydrocarbons, environmental parameters such as temperature, oxygen, nutrients, salinity, pressure, water activity, and pH, and biological factors like the role of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. It also explores the concept of adaptation, where microbial communities adjust to hydrocarbon presence, and the use of seeding to enhance biodegradation rates. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the complexity of hydrocarbon degradation and the potential for genetic engineering to improve microbial performance in bioremediation efforts.The chapter discusses the microbial degradation of hydrocarbons in the environment, focusing on the factors that influence this process. It highlights the importance of hydrocarbon biodegradation in cleaning up environmental contamination, particularly from oil spills. The text covers various aspects, including the chemical composition and physical state of hydrocarbons, environmental parameters such as temperature, oxygen, nutrients, salinity, pressure, water activity, and pH, and biological factors like the role of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. It also explores the concept of adaptation, where microbial communities adjust to hydrocarbon presence, and the use of seeding to enhance biodegradation rates. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the complexity of hydrocarbon degradation and the potential for genetic engineering to improve microbial performance in bioremediation efforts.