The rate of bacterial degradation of hydrocarbon was estimated for the measurment of the self-purification capacity of the aquatic ecosystem. Strain ND601P-2, selected as petroleum degrading bacteria from Nakdong River Estuary with high degradability of petroleum, transformed 42% of hexadecane to $CO_{2}$ or cell mateials under the conditions of $25^{circ}C$, 0.03M NaCl, 167mg-$NH_{4}^+/1, 950 mg-PO_{4}^{3-}$/1, 50 mg-hexadecane/1. The mineralization rate was found to be significantly affected by the temperature and the $Q_{10}$ value was 2.2. Teh optimal salinity of the strain ND601P-2 was 2o/oo. The increased salinity caused the elevation of % respiration value and the prolonged lag phase.