ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to review some of the potential and existing nucleic acid-based technologies for use on autonomous marine monitoring platforms and their environmental application in the context of offshore oil and gas activities. The focus is on the technologies targeting lower trophic level organisms such as microorganisms. Nucleic acid based markers and methods for the detection of microorganisms involved in hydrocarbon degradation are reviewed alongside state-of-the-art detection platforms showing potential for in situ monitoring. Genosensors are highlighted as promising techniques capable of specific detection of changes in microbial communities caused by oil occurrence events in the seawater.
