The present investigation was carried out to characterize the microbial population's inhabitants in a crude oil-contaminated area located in the city of Ras Gharib at the Red Sea, Egypt.Soil, well water, sea water and oil-water-emulsion samples were collected.The samples contained a microbial population not exceeding 1.6 x 10 4 cfu g -1 or ml -1 .The numbers of the indigenous microflora increased ...