Ornithogenic soils that form in penguin rookeries contain high levels of organic carbon and nitrogen. On Seabee Hook, Cape Hallett, Antartica, ornithogenic soil was contaminated with hydrocarbons following establishment of a scientific research station. In these soils hydrocarbon biodegradation could be supported by available soil nitrogen. Hexadecane mineralization activity was detected in vitro in ornithogenic soil when incubated at 5 or 15°C. At 5°C the extent of hexadecane mineralization was higher in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil than in uncontaminated soil. Alkane-degrading bacteria isolated from Seabee Hook soil were identified as Rhodococcus or Gordonia spp. or an unclassified Corynebacterineae. The alkane degraders grew on n-alkanes from heptane (C8) to eicosane (C20) and pristane, and utilized uric acid or ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source. All of the isolates possessed urease activity. Results of this study indicate biodegradation of hydrocarbons may contribute to the natural attenuation of oil spills in ornithogenic surface soils in summer.