Bacterial strains isolated from oil refining wastewater sludge (Fuzhou, China) were used to biodegrade naphthalene in cultured medium. Bacillus fusiformis (BFN) strain was identified using 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Optimal conditions for the biodegradation of naphthalene included: temperature of 30 degrees C, pH 7.0, 0.2% inoculum size and a C/N ratio of 1.0. Under these conditions and initial naphthalene concentration of 50 mg/L, more than 99.1% was removed within 96h. Of those factors influencing the biodegradation of naphthalene, salinity and inoculum concentration were of greatest importance. Furthermore, the biodegradation kinetics of naphthalene corresponded with the first-order rate model. Degradation metabolites identified using GC-MS, included o-phthalic acid and benzoic acid, suggesting possible metabolic pathways. Finally, given these metabolites are water-soluble and non-toxic, the findings suggest a potential bioremediation role of Bacillus fusiformis (BFN) in the removal of naphthalene from wastewaters. (c) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V.