PCB dechlorination enhancement in Anacostia River sediment microcosms

In situ treatment of PCB contaminated sediments via microbial dechlorination is a promising alternative to dredging, which may be reserved for only the most contaminated areas. Reductive dechlorination of low levels of weathered PCB mixtures typical of urban environments may occur at slow rates. Here, we report that biostimulation and bioaugmentation enhanced dechlorination of low concentration (2.1 mg PCBs/kg dry weight) historical PCBs in microcosms prepared with Anacostia River, Washington, DC, sediment. Treatments included electron donors butyrate, lactate, propionate and acetate (1 mM each); alternate halogenated electron acceptors (haloprimers) tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB, 25 microM), pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB, 25 microM), or 2,3,4,5,6-PCB (PCB116, 2.0 microM); and/or bioaugmentation with a culture containing Dehalococcoides ethenogenes strain 195 (3 x 10(6)cells/mL). Dechlorination rates were enhanced in microcosms receiving bioaugmentation, PCNB and PCNB plus bioaugmentation, compared to other treatments. Microcosm subcultures generated after 415 days and spiked with PCB116 showed sustained capacity for dechlorination of PCB116 in PCNB, PCNB plus bioaugmentation, and TeCB treatments, relative to other treatments. Analysis of Chloroflexi 16S rRNA genes showed that TeCB and PCNB increased native Dehalococcoides spp. from the Pinellas subgroup; however this increase was correlated to enhanced dechlorination of low concentration weathered PCBs only in PCNB-amended microcosms. D. ethenogenes strain 195 was detected only in bioaugmented microcosms and decreased over 281 days. Bioaugmentation with D. ethenogenes strain 195 increased PCB dechlorination rates initially, but enhanced capacity for dechlorination of a model congener, PCB116, after 415 days occurred only in microcosms with enhanced native Dehalococcoides spp.

Effect of freeze-thaw cycles on bacterial communities of arctic tundra soil

The effect of freeze-thaw (FT) cycles on Arctic tundra soil bacterial community was studied in laboratory microcosms. FT-induced changes to the bacterial community were followed over a 60-day period by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) profiles of amplified 16S rRNA genes and reverse transcribed 16S rRNA. The main phylotypes of the active, RNA-derived bacterial community were identified using clone analysis. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination of the T-RFLP profiles indicated some shifts in the bacterial communities after three to five FT cycles at -2, -5, and -10 degrees C as analyzed both from the DNA and rRNA. The dominating T-RFLP peaks remained the same, however, and only slight variation was generally detected in the relative abundance of the main T-RF sizes of either DNA or rRNA. T-RFLP analysis coupled to clone analysis of reverse transcribed 16S rRNA indicated that the initial soil was dominated by members of Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria. The most notable change in the rRNA-derived bacterial community was a decrease in the relative abundance of a Betaproteobacteria-related phylotype after the FT cycles. This phylotype decreased, however, also in the control soil incubated at constant +5 degrees C suggesting that the decrease was not directly related to FT sensitivity. The results indicate that FT caused only minor changes in the bacterial community structure.

Microbial O-methylation of the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol-A

We demonstrated the O-methylation of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) [4,4'-isopropylidenebis (2,6-dibromophenol)] to its mono- and dimethyl ether derivatives by microorganisms present in different sediments. A most probable number assay of a marsh sediment suggested that up to 10% of the total aerobic heterotrophs may be capable of O-methylation. Although TBBPA dimethyl ether is not produced in industry, it has been detected in terrestrial and aquatic sediments. Our study supports the hypothesis that TBBPA dimethyl ether is a product of microbial O-methylation. The O-methylation of TBBPA, as well as its analog, tetrachlorobisphenol-A (TCBPA), was also demonstrated in cultures of two chlorophenol-metabolizing bacteria, Mycobacterium fortuitum CG-2 and Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum PCP-1. These strains also mediated the O-methylation of 2,6-dibromophenol and 2,6-dichlorophenol, analogs of TBBPA and TCBPA, to their corresponding anisoles, but 2,6-fluorophenol was not transformed. Due to the addition of hydrophobic methyl groups, O-methylated derivatives are more lipophilic, increasing the probability of bioaccumulation in the food chain. Future research regarding the toxicological effects of the O-methylated derivatives of TBBPA is recommended and will further elucidate potential risks to environmental and human health.

Pelobacter seleniigenes sp. nov., a selenate-respiring bacterium

Strain KMT is a novel bacterium with the unique metabolic abilities of being able to respire selenate as the electron acceptor using acetate as the carbon substrate and possessing the ability to grow fermentatively on short-chain organic acids such as lactate, citrate and pyruvate. Strain KMT was isolated from a sediment enrichment culture of a highly impacted wetland system in New Jersey, USA. Strain KMT is able to reduce selenate as well as selenite to elemental selenium. The unique metabolic capabilities of strain KMT include the respiration of nitrate, poorly crystalline Fe(III) and anthraquinone disulfonate. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of the novel isolate indicates that strain KMT groups within the family Geobacteraceae in the class Deltaproteobacteria with approximately 96–97 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the closest known organisms Malonomonas rubra Gra Mal 1T, Pelobacter acidigallici Ma Gal 2T and species of the genus Desulfuromusa. Recognized species of the genera Malonomonas and Pelobacter cannot use any inorganic electron acceptors, while strains of the genus Desulfuromusa do not ferment organic substrates. This contrasts with the ability of strain KMT to ferment organic compounds as well as to couple selenate reduction to acetate utilization. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny and metabolic properties, strain KMT represents a novel species for which the name Pelobacter seleniigenes sp. nov. (type strain KMT=DSM 18267T=ATCC BAA-1388T) is proposed. Based on the phylogenetic grouping of species of the genus Pelobacter within the Desulfuromusa cluster, it is suggested that Malonomonas rubra Gra Mal 1T should also be included in this group.

Comparison of anaerobic microbial communities from Estuarine sediments amended with halogenated compounds to enhance dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

A suite of experiments were conducted to ascertain whether dehalogenation of a model dioxin compound could be stimulated in marine sediments by supplementation with halogenated analogues to enrich for dehalogenating bacteria and if growth by members of the Chloroflexi-like group was associated with dioxin removal. Five halogenated compounds (tetrachlorobenzene, tetrachloroanisole, tetrachlorophenol, tetrachlorobenzoic acid and trichloroacetophenone) were added with 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TeCDD) to estuarine sediments from four sites in San Diego Bay and the coast of southern New Jersey to test for dioxin dehalogenation. Most of the halogenated additives were found to stimulate dechlorination of the model dioxin. Molecular analysis of the bacterial population using 16S rRNA and reductive dehalogenase genes indicated that distinct microbial populations were enriched with each halogenated co-amendment. Additionally, Chloroflexi-like ribosomal genes associated with dehalogenation were detected. For example, quantitative real-time PCR analysis of 16S rRNA and reductive dehalogenase gene copy number in the microcosms showed a positive correlation with 1,2,3,4-TeCDD reductive dechlorination in coastal sediments amended with different halogenated additives. These results suggest that specific Chloroflexi-like microorganisms related to Dehalococcoides are involved in 1,2,3,4-TeCDD reductive dechlorination.

Characterization of the indigenous PAH-degrading bacteria of Spartina dominated salt marshes in the New York/New Jersey Harbor

The aerobic polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degrading microbial communities of two petroleum-impacted Spartina-dominated salt marshes in the New York/New Jersey Harbor were examined using a combination of microbiological, molecular and chemical techniques. Microbial isolation studies resulted in the identification of 48 aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial strains from both vegetated and non-vegetated marsh sediments. The majority of the isolates were from the genera Paenibacillus and Pseudomonas. Radiotracer studies using (14)C-phenanthrene and (14)C-pyrene were used to measure the PAH-mineralization activity in salt marsh sediments. The results suggested a trend towards increased PAH mineralization in vegetated sediments relative to non-vegetated sediments. This trend was supported by the enumeration of PAH-degrading bacteria in non-vegetated and vegetated sediment using a Most Probable Numbers (MPN) technique, which demonstrated that PAH-degrading bacteria existed in non-vegetated and vegetated sediments at levels ranging from 10(2 )to 10(5 )cells/g sediment respectively. No difference between microbial communities present in vegetated versus non-vegetated sediments was found using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (of the 16S rRNA gene) or phospholipid fatty acid analysis. These studies provide information on the specific members and activity of the PAH-degrading aerobic bacterial communities present in Spartina-dominated salt marshes in the New York/New Jersey Harbor estuary.

Identification of anaerobic selenate-respiring bacteria from aquatic sediments

The diversity population of microorganisms with the capability to use selenate as a terminal electron acceptor, reducing it to selenite and elemental selenium by the process known as dissimilatory selenate reduction, is largely unknown. The overall objective of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of anaerobic biotransformation of selenium in the environment, particularly anaerobic respiration, and to characterize the microorganisms catalyzing this process. Here, we demonstrate the isolation and characterization of four novel anaerobic dissimilatory selenate-respiring bacteria enriched from a variety of sources, including sediments from three different water bodies in Chennai, India, and a tidal estuary in New Jersey. Strains S5 and S7 from India, strain KM from the Meadowlands, NJ, and strain pn1, categorized as a laboratory contaminant, were all phylogenetically distinct, belonging to various phyla in the bacterial domain. The 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that strain S5 constitutes a new genus belonging to Chrysiogenetes, while strain S7 belongs to the Deferribacteres, with greater than 98% 16S rRNA gene similarity to Geovibrio ferrireducens. Strain KM is related to Malonomonas rubra, Pelobacter acidigallici, and Desulfuromusa spp., with 96 to 97% 16S rRNA gene similarity. Strain pn1 is 99% similar to Pseudomonas stutzeri. Strains S5, S7, and KM are obligately anaerobic selenate-respiring microorganisms, while strain pn1 is facultatively anaerobic. Besides respiring selenate, all these strains also respire nitrate.

Biodegradation of methyl tert-butyl ether by cold-adapted mixed and pure bacterial cultures

An aerobic mixed bacterial culture (CL-EMC-1) capable of utilizing methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as the sole source of carbon and energy with a growth temperature range of 3 to 30 degrees C and optimum of 18 to 22 degrees C was enriched from activated sludge. Transient accumulation of tert-butanol (TBA) occurred during utilization of MTBE at temperatures from 3 degrees C to 14 degrees C, but TBA did not accumulate above 18 degrees C. The culture utilized MTBE at a concentration of up to 1.5 g l(-1) and TBA of up to 7 g l(-1). The culture grew on MTBE at a pH range of 5 to 9, with an optimum pH of 6.5 to 7.1. The specific growth rate of the CL-EMC-1 culture on 0.1 g l(-1) of MTBE at 22 degrees C and pH 7.1 was 0.012 h(-1), and the growth yield was 0.64 g (dry weight) g(-1). A new MTBE-utilizing bacterium, Variovorax paradoxus strain CL-8, isolated from the mixed culture utilized MTBE, TBA, 2-hydroxy isobutyrate, lactate, methacrylate, and acetate as sole sources of carbon and energy but not 2-propanol, acetone, methanol, formaldehyde, or formate. Two other isolates, Hyphomicrobium facilis strain CL-2 and Methylobacterium extorquens strain CL-4, isolated from the mixed culture were able to grow on C(1) compounds. The combined consortium could thus utilize all of the carbon of MTBE.

Bacterial communities in Arctic fjelds of Finnish Lapland are stable but highly pH-dependent

The seasonal and spatial variations of microbial communities in Arctic fjelds of Finnish Lapland were studied. Phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA) and terminal restriction fragment analysis (T-RFLP) of amplified 16S rRNA genes were used to assess the effect of soil conditions and vegetation on microbial community structures along different altitudes of two fjelds, Saana and Jehkas. Terminal restriction fragments were additionally analysed from c. 160 cloned sequences and isolated bacterial strains and matched with those of soil DNA samples. T-RFLP and PLFA analyses indicated relatively similar microbial communities at various altitudes and under different vegetation of the two fjelds. However, soil pH had a major influence on microbial community composition. Members of the phylum Acidobacteria dominated especially in the low pH soils (pH 4.6-5.2), but above pH 5.5, the relative amount of terminal restriction fragments corresponding to acidobacterial clones was substantially lower. Both T-RFLP and PLFA analysis indicated stable microbial communities as the DNA and fatty acid profiles were similar in spring and late summer samples sampled over 3 years. These results indicate that differences in microbial community composition could be explained primarily by variation in the bedrock materials that cause variation in the soil pH.

Sedimenticola selenatireducens, gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic selenate-respiring bacterium isolated from estuarine sediment

The respiration of selenate, as a terminal electron acceptor has been known for over a decade, but the microorganisms involved in this respiration are largely unknown. Here we characterize a novel selenate-respiring bacterium, strain AK4OH1, isolated from an estuarine sediment enrichment culture. Strain AK4OH1 has the unique capability to oxidize aromatic acids, such as benzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate and 3-hydroxybenzoate, coupled to selenate respiration. This novel respiratory coupling has not been described before. Reduction of selenate is followed by stoichiometric accumulation of selenite. The strain grows in agar shake tubes forming bright red colonies due to precipitation of elemental selenium. Strain AK4OH1 is a strictly anaerobic bacterium, which can also respire nitrate and nitrite via denitrification. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence shows that this strain clusters with another selenate-reducing bacterium and a (per) chlorate reducing bacterium, within the Gammaproteobacteria, along with symbionts of bivalves and tubeworms. Based on its unique physiological capabilities and its 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogeny, we classify this strain AK4OH1 as a new genus and species with the proposed name Sedimenticola selenatireducens.

Carbon isotope fractionation during anaerobic degradation of methyl tert-butyl ether under sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions

Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), an octane enhancer and a fuel oxygenate in reformulated gasoline, has received increasing public attention after it was detected as a major contaminant of water resources. Although several techniques have been developed to remediate MTBE-contaminated sites, the fate of MTBE is mainly dependent upon natural degradation processes. Compound-specific stable isotope analysis has been proposed as a tool to distinguish the loss of MTBE due to biodegradation from other physical processes. Although MTBE is highly recalcitrant, anaerobic degradation has been demonstrated under different anoxic conditions and may be an important process. To accurately assess in situ MTBE degradation through carbon isotope analysis, carbon isotope fractionation during MTBE degradation by different cultures under different electron-accepting conditions needs to be investigated. In this study, carbon isotope fractionation during MTBE degradation under sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions was studied in anaerobic cultures enriched from two different sediments. Significant enrichment of 13C in residual MTBE during anaerobic biotransformation was observed under both sulfate-reducing and methanogenic conditions. The isotopic enrichment factors (epsilon) estimated for each enrichment were almost identical (-13.4 per thousand to -14.6 per thousand; r2 = 0.89 to 0.99). A epsilon value of -14.4 per thousand+/- 0.7 per thousand was obtained from regression analysis (r2 = 0.97, n = 55, 95% confidence interval), when all data from our MTBE-transforming anaerobic cultures were combined. The similar magnitude of carbon isotope fractionation in all enrichments regardless of culture or electron-accepting condition suggests that the terminal electron-accepting process may not significantly affect carbon isotope fractionation during anaerobic MTBE degradation.

Co-amendment with halogenated compounds enhances anaerobic microbial dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-P-dioxin and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzofuran in estuarine sediments

Halogenated coamendments enhanced dechlorination of 31 microM of spiked 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TeCDD) and 49 microM of spiked 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TeCDF) in sediments from San Diego Bay (CA, USA) and Tuckerton (NJ, USA). Dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TeCDD occurred to a greater extent under methanogenic than under sulfate-reducing conditions. The most effective stimulation of 1,2,3,4-TeCDD dechlorination occurred with coamendment of 25 microM of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene (TeCB), 2,3,4,5-tetrachloroanisole (TeCA), 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorophenol, or 2',3',4'-trichloroacetophenone plus 500 microM lactate and 500 microM propionate as electron donors. The 1,2,3,4-TeCDD dechlorination was evident after three months and sequentially produced mainly 1,2,4-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 1,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and 2-monochlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (MCDD). Monobromophenols (2-bromo-, 3-bromo-, and 4-bromophenol), monochlorophenols (2-chloro-, 3-chloro-, and 4-chlorophenol), 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzoate, or electron donors alone stimulated less 1,2,3,4-TeCDD dechlorination, with activity apparent only after six months. The 1,2,3,4-TeCDD dechlorination produced 50 mol % 2-MCDD after six months in sediments from the more contaminated Graving Dock and Paleta Creek sites in San Diego Bay. The 1,2,3,4-TeCDD dechlorination by sediments from the less contaminated Shelter Island site in San Diego Bay and in pristine Tuckerton sediments did not produce 2-MCDD. Dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TeCDF to tri- and dichlorinated daughter products was significantly enhanced by TeCB and TeCA. These results suggest that halogenated aromatic compounds with structural similarity to 1,2,3,4-TeCDD/F stimulate bacteria with the ability to dechlorinate chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and furans.

Characterization of psychrotolerant heterotrophic bacteria from Finnish Lapland

A total of 331 aerobic heterotrophic bacterial strains were isolated from various ecosystems of Finnish Lapland (68-69 degrees N) including forest soil, arctic alpine-tundra soil, stream water, lake and mire sediments, lichen and snow algae. Whole cell fatty acid and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and microscopy indicated that the isolates were dominated by Gram-negative bacteria, while only 20 Gram-positive strains were isolated. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences the isolates were members of alpha-, beta-, gamma-Proteobacteria, Gram-positives with low G+C content, Actinobacteria and the Cytophaga/Flexibacter/Bacteroides group. More than one-third of the isolates could be tentatively identified as Pseudomonas spp. which were particularly abundant in the alpine-tundra soils where they represented 60% of all isolates. Other frequently isolated Gram-negative taxa were Burkholderia sp., Collimonas sp., Pedobacter sp., Janthinobacter sp., Duganella sp., Dyella sp. and Sphingomonas sp. Growth temperature ranges and hydrolytic enzyme activities of selected ca.100 strains were screened. The strains were psychrotolerant growing generally at temperatures ranging from 0 to 30 degrees C, as 82% of the isolates grew at 0 degrees C while only 7% grew at 35 degrees C. Protease and lipase activities at 5 degrees C were detected in more than half of the strains while approximately 20% of the strains possessed amylase and/or cellulase activities.

Carbon isotopic fractionation during anaerobic biotransformation of methyl tert-butyl ether and tert-amyl methyl ether

The fuel oxygenate methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) has been frequently detected in groundwater and surface water. Since contaminated sites are often subsurface, anaerobic degradation of MTBE will likely be significant for remediation. As traditional approaches to evaluate biodegradation generally involve laboratory microcosm studies which require time and resources, innovative approaches are needed to demonstrate active in situ biodegradation of MTBE. This study was conducted to gather information at the laboratory level to evaluate the potential of applying carbon isotope fractionation as an indicator for in situ biodegradation of the fuel oxygenates MTBE and tert-amyl methyl ether (TAME). In this study, MTBE utilization was observed in a methanogenic sediment microcosm after a lengthy lag period of about 400 days. MTBE utilization was sustained upon refeeding and subculturing. tert-Butyl alcohol (TBA) was found to accumulate after propagation of cultures. The MTBE-grown cultures also utilized TAME and produced tert-amyl alcohol (TAA). The detection of TBA and TAA indicated that ether bond cleavage was the initial step in degradation for both compounds. Carbon isotope fractionation during anaerobic MTBE and TAME degradation was studied, and isotopic enrichment factors (epsilon) with 95% confidence intervals of -15.6 +/-4.1% and -13.7+/-4.5% were estimated for anaerobic MTBE and TAME degradation, respectively. Addition of 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid, an inhibitor of methanogenesis, substantially prolonged the lag period before transformation, but did not influence carbon isotope fractionation. Our experiment provided strong evidence of significant carbon isotope fractionation during anaerobic MTBE and TAME degradation, demonstrating that this technique can be used as an indicator for in situ MTBE and TAME degradation.

Atmospheric oxygen and other conditions affecting the production of cereulide by Bacillus cereus in food

Factors influencing the production of cereulide, the emetic toxin of Bacillus cereus in food and laboratory media were investigated, using liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry and sperm motility inhibition bioassay for detection and quantitation. Oxygen was essential for production of the emetic toxin by B. cereus. When beans, rice or tryptic soy broth were inoculated with cereulide producing strains B203, B116 (recent food isolates) or the strain F-4810/72, high amounts (2 to 7 microg ml(-1) or g(-1) wet wt) of cereulide accumulated during 4-day storage at room temperature. In parallel cultures and foods, stored under nitrogen atmosphere (> 99.5% N2), less than 0.05 microg of cereulide ml(-1) or g(-1) wet wt accumulated. The outcome of the bioassay matched that of the chemical assay, with no indication of interference by substances in the rice or beans. Boiling for 20 to 30 min did not inactivate cereulide or cereulide producing strains in rice or the beans. Adding l-leucine and l-valine (0.3 g l(-1)) stimulated cereulide production 10- to 20-fold in R2A and in rice water agar. When the B. cereus strains were grown on agar media under permissive conditions (air, room temperature), cereulide was produced overnight with little or no increase when the incubation was extended to 4 days. In broth culture, the production of cereulide started later than 16-24 h. Anoxic storage prevented cereulide production also when the amino acids had been supplied. Packaging with modified atmosphere low in oxygen may thus be used to reduce the risk of cereulide formation during storage of food.

Detection and characterization of a dehalogenating microorganism by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting of 16S rRNA in a sulfidogenic, 2-bromophenol-utilizing enrichment

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of reverse-transcribed 16S rRNA during periods of community flux was used as a tool to delineate the roles of the members of a 2-bromophenol-degrading, sulfate-reducing consortium. Starved, washed cultures were amended with 2-bromophenol plus sulfate, 2-bromophenol plus hydrogen, phenol plus sulfate, or phenol with no electron acceptor and were monitored for substrate use. In the presence of sulfate, 2-bromophenol and phenol were completely degraded. In the absence of sulfate, 2-bromophenol was dehalogenated and phenol accumulated. Direct terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting of the 16S rRNA in the various subcultures indicated that phylotype 2BP-48 (a Desulfovibrio-like sequence) was responsible for the dehalogenation of 2-bromophenol. A stable coculture was established which contained predominantly 2BP-48 and a second Desulfovibrio-like bacterium (designated BP212 based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting) that was capable of dehalogenating 2-bromophenol to phenol. Strain 2BP-48 in the coculture could couple reductive dehalogenation to growth with 2-bromophenol, 2,6-dibromophenol, or 2-iodophenol and lactate or formate as the electron donor. In addition to halophenols, strain 2BP-48 appears to use sulfate, sulfite, and thiosulfate as electron acceptors and is capable of simultaneous sulfidogenesis and reductive dehalogenation in the presence of sulfate.

Nitrogen isotope ratios and fatty acid composition as indicators of animal diets in belowground systems

This study analyses trophic interactions between soil fungi, micro- and mesofauna in microcosm experiments. The trophic shift of 15N and fatty acids (FAs) was investigated in different food chains, which comprised either two (fungi and grazers) or three (fungi, nematodes and Collembola) levels. Contrary to the widely accepted assumption of 15N enrichment in trophic cascades the experiments revealed enrichment, depletion or no change in 15N of consumers compared to their diet. Factors responsible for this pattern were suggested to be: (1) the main metabolic pathway used for N excretion in ammonotelic nematodes to be similar or depleted in the heavier isotope, and uricotelic Collembola mostly enriched in the heavier isotope; (2) a higher shift in 15N with a high-protein diet (e.g. for predators); (3) compensation due to low-quality food altering the fractionation of 15N. Analysis of the lipid composition showed phospholipids to be generally unaffected and neutral lipids closely related to the FA pattern of the food source. Dietary routing of FAs into neutral lipids occurred, as evidenced by corresponding frequencies of FAs in host and consumer profiles. Additionally, several FAs were only detected in the grazer when present in the food source. Oleic acid showed a shift over three trophic levels, from fungi to nematodes to Collembola. The assimilation of dietary FAs resulted in a more diverse neutral lipid profile, i.e. animals higher in the food chain contained more individual FAs compared to animals lower in the food chain. The results indicate that monoenoic C18 and monoenoic C20 FAs have the potential to act as tools for the bioindication of feeding strategies in belowground systems. We suggest that primary consumers will have no or only trace amounts of monoenoic C20 acids in their neutral lipid profile, whereas consumers feeding on a eukaryote diet will show a considerably higher frequency.

Effects of fungal food quality and starvation on the fatty acid composition of Protaphorura fimata (Collembola)

The lipid pattern of animals is influenced by species, life stage, environmental conditions and diet. We investigated the effects of food quality and starvation on the phospholipid (PLFA) and neutral lipid (NLFA) fatty acid pattern of the collembolan Protaphorura fimata. Collembolans were fed with two common soil fungi, Agrocybe gibberosa and Chaetomium globosum, of which the cellular lipid composition was analysed. A. gibberosa was grown on agar with different nitrogen contents, resulting in altered fatty acid patterns and C:N ratios, i.e. fungi of different food quality. Collembolans did not mirror the lipid composition of the fungal diet as the pattern of major NLFAs in P. fimata was vice versa. Presumably, altered food quality of fungi caused compensatory responses by the collembolans, thereby diminishing the fungal signal. In a further experiment P. fimata (previously maintained with C. globosum) was kept without food for up to 4 weeks. Starvation resulted in a decline in the total amount of NLFAs; however, it did not affect the fatty acid pattern, indicating that NLFAs were degraded indiscriminately. Generally, the PLFA profile of the collembolans changed only slightly due to variations in diet quality or starvation.

Dehalococcoides ethenogenes strain 195 reductively dechlorinates diverse chlorinated aromatic pollutants

Dehalococcoides ethenogenes strain 195 dechlorinates tetrachloroethene to vinyl chloride and ethene, and its genome has been found to contain up to 17 putative dehalogenase gene homologues, suggesting diverse dehalogenation ability. We amended pure or mixed cultures containing D. ethenogenes strain 195 with 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzofuran, 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobiphenyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrachloronaphthalene, various chlorobenzenes, or a mixture of 2-, 3-, and 4-chlorophenol to determine the dehalogenation ability. D. ethenogenes strain 195 dechlorinated 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin to a mixture of 1,2,4-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and 1,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. 2,3,4,5,6- Pentachlorobiphenyl was dechlorinated to 2,3,4,6- and/or 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobiphenyl and 2,4,6-trichlorobiphenyl. 1,2,3,4-Tetrachloronaphthalene was dechlorinated primarily to an unidentified dichloronaphthalene congener. The predominant end products from hexachlorobenzene dechlorination were 1,2,3,5-tetrachlorobenzene and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene. We did not detect dechlorination daughter products from monochlorophenols, 2,3-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or 2,3,7,8- tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. D. ethenogenes strain 195 has the ability to dechlorinate many different types of chlorinated aromatic compounds, in addition to its known chloroethene respiratory electron acceptors. Remediation of sediments contaminated with aromatic halogenated organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins could require billions of dollars in the coming years. Harnessing microorganisms such as Dehalococcoides spp. that detoxify these compounds via removal of halogens may lead to cost-effective biotechnological approaches for remediation.

Reductive dehalogenation of brominated phenolic compounds by microorganisms associated with the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba

Marine sponges are natural sources of brominated organic compounds, including bromoindoles, bromophenols, and bromopyrroles, that may comprise up to 12% of the sponge dry weight. Aplysina aerophoba sponges harbor large numbers of bacteria that can amount to 40% of the biomass of the animal. We postulated that there might be mechanisms for microbially mediated degradation of these halogenated chemicals within the sponges. The capability of anaerobic microorganisms associated with the marine sponge to transform haloaromatic compounds was tested under different electron-accepting conditions (i.e., denitrifying, sulfidogenic, and methanogenic). We observed dehalogenation activity of sponge-associated microorganisms with various haloaromatics. 2-Bromo-, 3-bromo-, 4-bromo-, 2,6-dibromo-, and 2,4,6-tribromophenol, and 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate were reductively debrominated under methanogenic and sulfidogenic conditions with no activity observed in the presence of nitrate. Monochlorinated phenols were not transformed over a period of 1 year. Debromination of 2,4,6-tribromophenol, and 2,6-dibromophenol to 2-bromophenol was more rapid than the debromination of the monobrominated phenols. Ampicillin and chloramphenicol inhibited activity, suggesting that dehalogenation was mediated by bacteria. Characterization of the debrominating methanogenic consortia by using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that different 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) phylotypes were enriched on the different halogenated substrates. Sponge-associated microorganisms enriched on organobromine compounds had distinct 16S rDNA TRFLP patterns and were most closely related to the delta subgroup of the proteobacteria. The presence of homologous reductive dehalogenase gene motifs in the sponge-associated microorganisms suggested that reductive dehalogenation might be coupled to dehalorespiration.

Potential of Bacillus cereus for producing an emetic toxin, cereulide, in bakery products: quantitative analysis by chemical and biological methods

A method for the direct quantitative analysis of cereulide, the emetic toxin of Bacillus cereus, in bakery products was developed. The analysis was based on robotized extraction followed by quantitation of cereulide by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and an assay of toxicity by the boar sperm motility inhibition test. The bioassay and the chemical assay gave comparable results, demonstrating that the extracted cereulide was in a biologically active form. Cereulide was formed when cereulide-producing B. cereus strains were present at > or = 10(6) CFU/g in products with water activity values of > 0.953 and pHs of > 5.6. Rice-containing pastries accumulated high contents of cereulide (0.3 to 5.5 microg/g [wet weight]) when stored at nonrefrigeration temperatures (21 to 23 degrees C). Cereulide was not formed in products stored at refrigeration temperatures (4 to 8 degrees C). Cereulide is not inactivated by heating during food processing. Therefore, direct analysis of this toxin in food is preferable to cultivating methods for assessing the risk of food poisoning by emetic B. cereus.

Biotransformation of 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile under denitrifying, Fe(III)-reducing, sulfidogenic, and methanogenic conditions

Bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile) is a halogenated aromatic nitrile herbicide used on a variety of crops for the postemergence control of annual broad-leaved weeds. The anaerobic biodegradability of bromoxynil and its aerobic transformation product, 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate, were examined in enrichment cultures established with anaerobic sediment under denitrifying, Fe(III)-reducing, sulfidogenic, and methanogenic conditions. Bromoxynil (100 microM) was depleted in 20 to 30 d in the methanogenic, sulfidogenic, and Fe(IIi)-reducing enrichments but was stable under denitrifying conditions. The 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate (100 microM) was depleted within 20 to 35 d under all four anaerobic conditions. Both compounds were stable in sterile controls. Bromoxynil and 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate were readily utilized upon respiking of the cultures. During utilization of bromoxynil, stoichiometric release of bromide was observed with transient accumulation of metabolites identified as bromocyanophenol, cyanophenol, and phenol. Bromoxynil heptanoate and octanoate were rapidly hydrolyzed to bromoxynil, which was further degraded. These results indicate that bromoxynil and 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzoate are degraded under different anaerobic conditions. Anaerobic degradation of bromoxynil proceeds via reductive debromination to 4-cyanophenol, which is further transformed to phenol and can ultimately be degraded to carbon dioxide.

Analysis of arsenic bioavailability in contaminated soils

The bioavailable arsenic (As) content of contaminated soils was determined by joint analyses of acid-soluble, total water-soluble, and biovailable As by using a luminescent bacterial sensor, Escherichia coli MC1061(pTOO31). According to the results of this study, a significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of total water-soluble As and the bioavailability of As. However, the bioavailability of As in soil varied between sampling sites and was not equal when compared to the concentration of total water-soluble As; bioavailable As was 3 to 77% of total water-soluble As in soil. Our experiments also showed that aging and sequestration of As occurs in contaminated soils and As compounds thus become progressively less bioavailable with time. As a consequence, the bioavailability and toxicity of As should be considered when evaluating the ecological risks of contaminated soils.