A question from James Marek <jmarek at raider.rhs.brevard.k12.fl.us> on petroleum bioremediation, and Peter Holubar <holubar at mail.boku.ac.at> responded, recommending R. M. Atlas' excellent book "Petroleum Microbiology".
Two others that Rachel Henry (Mr. Marek's student) might like to consider are: "Soils Contaminated by Petroleum: Environmental & Public Health Effects", 1988. Edward J. Calabrese and Paul T. Kostecki (Eds.), John Wiley & Sons, Publisher; and "Biotreatment of Industrial and Hazardous Waste", 1993. Morris A. Levin and Michael A. Gealt, McGraw-Hill Publishers.
Rachel, there is a great deal of research in the literature available, as the bioremediation of petroleum has been occurring for millions of years. Scientists are finding many ways of assisting in this natural process.
Good luck . . . and have fun on your research project! -- Andy Anders