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Navas-Cáceres OD, Parada M, Zafra G. Development of a highly tolerant bacterial consortium for asphaltene biodegradation in soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:123439-123451. [PMID: 37982951 PMCID: PMC10746765 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30682-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Asphaltenes are the most polar and heavy fraction of petroleum, and their complex structure and toxicity make them resistant to biodegradation. The ability to tolerate high asphaltene concentrations is crucial to reducing the toxicity-related inhibition of microbial growth and improving their capacity for adaptation, survival, and biodegradation in soils highly contaminated with asphaltenes. This study developed a highly tolerant consortium for efficient asphaltene biodegradation in soils from 22 bacterial isolates obtained from heavy-crude oil-contaminated soils. Isolates corresponded to the Rhodococcus, Bacillus, Stutzerimonas, Cellulosimicrobium, Pseudomonas, and Paenibacillus genera, among others, and used pure asphaltenes and heavy crude oil as the only carbon sources. Surface plate assays were used to evaluate the tolerance of individual isolates to asphaltenes, and the results showed variations in the extension and inhibition rates with maximum tolerance levels at 60,000 mg asphaltenes l-1. Inhibition assays were used to select non-antagonistic bacterial isolates among those showing the highest tolerance levels to asphaltenes. A consortium made up of the five most tolerant and non-antagonistic bacterial isolates was able to degrade up to 83 wt.% out of 10,000 mg asphaltenes kg-1 in the soil after 52 days. Due to its biological compatibility, high asphaltene tolerance, and ability to utilise it as a source of energy, the degrading consortium developed in this work has shown a high potential for soil bioremediation and is a promising candidate for the treatment of aged soil areas contaminated with heavy and extra-heavy crude oil. This would be the first research to assess and consider extreme bacterial tolerance and microbial antagonism between individual degrading microbes, leading to the development of an improved consortium capable of efficiently degrading high amounts of asphaltenes in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Daniel Navas-Cáceres
- Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología (GIBIM), Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad Industrial de Santander, 680002, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Mayra Parada
- Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología (GIBIM), Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad Industrial de Santander, 680002, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - German Zafra
- Grupo de Investigación en Bioquímica y Microbiología (GIBIM), Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad Industrial de Santander, 680002, Bucaramanga, Colombia.
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Giovanella P, Taketani RG, Gil-Solsona R, Saldanha LL, Naranjo SBE, Sancho JV, Portolés T, Andreote FD, Rodríguez-Mozaz S, Barceló D, Sette LD. A comprehensive study on diesel oil bioremediation under microcosm conditions using a combined microbiological, enzymatic, mass spectrometry, and metabarcoding approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:101250-101266. [PMID: 37648922 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29474-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
This study aims at the application of a marine fungal consortium (Aspergillus sclerotiorum CRM 348 and Cryptococcus laurentii CRM 707) for the bioremediation of diesel oil-contaminated soil under microcosm conditions. The impact of biostimulation (BS) and/or bioaugmentation (BA) treatments on diesel-oil biodegradation, soil quality, and the structure of the microbial community were studied. The use of the fungal consortium together with nutrients (BA/BS) resulted in a TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) degradation 42% higher than that obtained by natural attenuation (NA) within 120 days. For the same period, a 72 to 92% removal of short-chain alkanes (C12 to C19) was obtained by BA/BS, while only 3 to 65% removal was achieved by NA. BA/BS also showed high degradation efficiency of long-chain alkanes (C20 to C24) at 120 days, reaching 90 and 92% of degradation of icosane and heneicosane, respectively. In contrast, an increase in the levels of cyclosiloxanes (characterized as bacterial bioemulsifiers and biosurfactants) was observed in the soil treated by the consortium. Conversely, the NA presented a maximum of 37% of degradation of these alkane fractions. The 5-ringed PAH benzo(a)pyrene, was removed significantly better with the BA/BS treatment than with the NA (48 vs. 38 % of biodegradation, respectively). Metabarcoding analysis revealed that BA/BS caused a decrease in the soil microbial diversity with a concomitant increase in the abundance of specific microbial groups, including hydrocarbon-degrading (bacteria and fungi) and also an enhancement in soil microbial activity. Our results highlight the great potential of this consortium for soil treatment after diesel spills, as well as the relevance of the massive sequencing, enzymatic, microbiological and GC-HRMS analyses for a better understanding of diesel bioremediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Giovanella
- Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- Centro de Estudos Ambientais (CEA), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Gouvêa Taketani
- Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
- Sustainable Soils and Crops, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom
| | - Ruben Gil-Solsona
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research - Severo Ochoa Excellence Center (IDAEA), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luiz Leonardo Saldanha
- Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
| | - Samantha Beatríz Esparza Naranjo
- Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
- Instituto Latino-Americano de Ciências da Vida e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Integração Latino Americana, Parque tecnológico Itaipu, Foz do Iguaçu, PR, Brazil
| | - Juan V Sancho
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Tania Portolés
- Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water (IUPA), University Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Fernando Dini Andreote
- Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Sara Rodríguez-Mozaz
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Parc Científic i Tecnològic de la Universitat de Girona, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research - Severo Ochoa Excellence Center (IDAEA), Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lara Durães Sette
- Departamento de Biologia Geral e Aplicada, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
- Centro de Estudos Ambientais (CEA), Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
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Zoppini A, Ademollo N, Patrolecco L, Langone L, Lungarini S, Dellisanti W, Amalfitano S. Distribution patterns of organic pollutants and microbial processes in marine sediments across a gradient of anthropogenic impact. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 242:1860-1870. [PMID: 30126737 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.07.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Marine sediments are part of the hydrological cycle and the ultimate storage compartment of land-derived organic matter, including pollutants. Since relevant microbially-driven processes occurring at benthic level may affect the quality of the overall aquatic system, the necessity for incorporating information about microbial communities functioning for ecosystem modelling is arising. The aim of this field study was to explore the links occurring between sediment contamination patterns by three selected class of organic pollutants (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs, Nonylphenols, NPs, Bisphenol A, BPA) and major microbial properties (Prokaryotic Biomass, PB; total living biomass, C-ATP; Prokaryotic C Production rate, PCP; Community Respiration rate, CR) across a gradient of anthropogenic pollution. Sediments were sampled from 34 sites selected along 700 km of the western coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Organic contamination was moderate (PAHs <830 ng g-1; NPs <350 ng g-1; BPA <38 ng g-1) and decreased southward. The amount of PAHs-associated carbon (C-PAHs) increased significantly with sediment organic carbon (OC), along with microbial functional rates. The negative relation between PCP/CR ratio and OC indicated the shift toward oxidative processes in response to organic pollution and potential toxicity, estimated as Toxic Equivalents (TEQs). Our outcomes showed that sediment organic contamination and benthic microbial processes can be intimately linked, with potential repercussions on CO2 emission rates and C-cycling within the detritus-based trophic web.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zoppini
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy.
| | - N Ademollo
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
| | - L Patrolecco
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
| | - L Langone
- Institute of Marine Sciences, National Research Council (ISMAR-CNR), Bologna, Italy
| | - S Lungarini
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
| | - W Dellisanti
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
| | - S Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
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Zafra G, Taylor TD, Absalón AE, Cortés-Espinosa DV. Comparative metagenomic analysis of PAH degradation in soil by a mixed microbial consortium. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2016; 318:702-710. [PMID: 27484946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.07.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we used a taxonomic and functional metagenomic approach to analyze some of the effects (e.g. displacement, permanence, disappearance) produced between native microbiota and a previously constructed Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading microbial consortium during the bioremediation process of a soil polluted with PAHs. Bioaugmentation with a fungal-bacterial consortium and biostimulation of native microbiota using corn stover as texturizer produced appreciable changes in the microbial diversity of polluted soils, shifting native microbial communities in favor of degrading specific populations. Functional metagenomics showed changes in gene abundance suggesting a bias towards aromatic hydrocarbon and intermediary degradation pathways, which greatly favored PAH mineralization. In contrast, pathways favoring the formation of toxic intermediates such as cytochrome P450-mediated reactions were found to be significantly reduced in bioaugmented soils. PAH biodegradation in soil using the microbial consortium was faster and reached higher degradation values (84% after 30 d) as a result of an increased co-metabolic degradation when compared with other mixed microbial consortia. The main differences between inoculated and non-inoculated soils were observed in aromatic ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases, laccase, protocatechuate, salicylate and benzoate-degrading enzyme genes. Based on our results, we propose that several concurrent metabolic pathways are taking place in soils during PAH degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- German Zafra
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIBA-Tlaxcala, Carretera Estatal San Inés Tecuexcomac-Tepetitla Km 1.5, Tepetitla, Tlaxcala. 90700, Mexico
| | - Todd D Taylor
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Laboratory for Integrated Bioinformatics, Tsurumi-ku 230-0045, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Angel E Absalón
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIBA-Tlaxcala, Carretera Estatal San Inés Tecuexcomac-Tepetitla Km 1.5, Tepetitla, Tlaxcala. 90700, Mexico.
| | - Diana V Cortés-Espinosa
- Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CIBA-Tlaxcala, Carretera Estatal San Inés Tecuexcomac-Tepetitla Km 1.5, Tepetitla, Tlaxcala. 90700, Mexico.
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Zafra G, Cortés-Espinosa DV. Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by Trichoderma species: a mini review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 22:19426-19433. [PMID: 26498812 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5602-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Fungi belonging to Trichoderma genus are ascomycetes found in soils worldwide. Trichoderma has been studied in relation to diverse biotechnological applications and are known as successful colonizers of their common habitats. Members of this genus have been well described as effective biocontrol organisms through the production of secondary metabolites with potential applications as new antibiotics. Even though members of Trichoderma are commonly used for the commercial production of lytic enzymes, as a biological control agent, and also in the food industry, their use in xenobiotic biodegradation is limited. Trichoderma stands out as a genus with a great range of substrate utilization, a high production of antimicrobial compounds, and its ability for environmental opportunism. In this review, we focused on the recent advances in the research of Trichoderma species as potent and efficient aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading organisms, as well as aimed to provide insight into its potential role in the bioremediation of soils contaminated with heavy hydrocarbons. Several Trichoderma species are associated with the ability to metabolize a variety of both high and low molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as naphthalene, phenanthrene, chrysene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene. PAH-degrading species include Trichoderma hamatum, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma virens, and Trichoderma asperellum using alternate enzyme systems commonly seen in other organisms, such as multicooper laccases, peroxidases, and ring-cleavage dioxygenases. Within these species, T. asperellum stands out as a versatile organism with remarkable degrading abilities, high tolerance, and a remarkable potential to be used as a remediation agent in polluted soils.
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Caruso G, La Ferla R, Azzaro M, Zoppini A, Marino G, Petochi T, Corinaldesi C, Leonardi M, Zaccone R, Fonda Umani S, Caroppo C, Monticelli L, Azzaro F, Decembrini F, Maimone G, Cavallo RA, Stabili L, Hristova Todorova N, K. Karamfilov V, Rastelli E, Cappello S, Acquaviva MI, Narracci M, De Angelis R, Del Negro P, Latini M, Danovaro R. Microbial assemblages for environmental quality assessment: Knowledge, gaps and usefulness in the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Crit Rev Microbiol 2015; 42:883-904. [DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2015.1087380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Zoppini A, Ademollo N, Amalfitano S, Casella P, Patrolecco L, Polesello S. Organic priority substances and microbial processes in river sediments subject to contrasting hydrological conditions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 484:74-83. [PMID: 24686147 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Flood and drought events of higher intensity and frequency are expected to increase in arid and semi-arid regions, in which temporary rivers represent both a water resource and an aquatic ecosystem to be preserved. In this study, we explored the variation of two classes of hazardous substances (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Nonylphenols) and the functioning of the microbial community in river sediments subject to hydrological fluctuations (Candelaro river basin, Italy). Overall, the concentration of pollutants (∑PAHs range 8-275ngg(-1); ∑NPs range 299-4858ngg(-1)) suggests a moderate degree of contamination. The conditions in which the sediments were tested, flow (high/low) and no flow (wet/dry/arid), were associated to significant differences in the chemical and microbial properties. The total organic carbon contribution decreased together with the stream flow reduction, while the contribution of C-PAHs and C-NPs tended to increase. NPs were relatively more concentrated in sediments under high flow, while the more hydrophobic PAHs accumulated under low and no flow conditions. Passing from high to no flow conditions, a gradual reduction of microbial processes was observed, to reach the lowest specific bacterial carbon production rates (0.06fmolCh(-1)cell(-1)), extracellular enzyme activities, and the highest doubling time (40h) in arid sediments. In conclusion, different scenarios for the mobilization of pollutants and microbial processes can be identified under contrasting hydrological conditions: (i) the mobilization of pollutants under high flow and a relatively higher probability for biodegradation; (ii) the accumulation of pollutants during low flow and lower probability for biodegradation; (iii) the drastic reduction of pollutant concentrations under dry and arid conditions, probably independently from the microbial activity (abiotic processes). Our findings let us infer that a multiple approach has to be considered for an appropriate water resource exploitation and a more realistic prevision of the impact of pollutants in temporary waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Zoppini
- Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria, Km 29.300, CP10, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Ademollo
- Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria, Km 29.300, CP10, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Stefano Amalfitano
- Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria, Km 29.300, CP10, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Patrizia Casella
- Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria, Km 29.300, CP10, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Luisa Patrolecco
- Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria, Km 29.300, CP10, 00015 Monterotondo (Roma), Italy
| | - Stefano Polesello
- Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, (IRSA-CNR), Via del Mulino 19, 20861 Brugherio (MB), Italy
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Montgomery MT, Coffin RB, Boyd TJ, Osburn CL. Incorporation and mineralization of TNT and other anthropogenic organics by natural microbial assemblages from a small, tropical estuary. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 174:257-64. [PMID: 23287075 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Revised: 11/06/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) metabolism was compared across salinity transects in Kahana Bay, a small tropical estuary on Oahu, HI. In surface water, TNT incorporation rates (range: 3-121 μg C L(-1) d(-1)) were often 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than mineralization rates suggesting that it may serve as organic nitrogen for coastal microbial assemblages. These rates were often an order of magnitude more rapid than those for RDX and two orders more than HMX. During average or high stream flow, TNT incorporation was most rapid at the riverine end member and generally decreased with increasing salinity. This pattern was not seen during low flow periods. Although TNT metabolism was not correlated with heterotrophic growth rate, it may be related to metabolism of other aromatic compounds. With most TNT ring-carbon incorporation efficiencies at greater than 97%, production of new biomass appears to be a more significant product of microbial TNT metabolism than mineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Montgomery
- Naval Research Laboratory, Marine Biogeochemistry Section, Code 6114, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
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Sun MY, Dafforn KA, Brown MV, Johnston EL. Bacterial communities are sensitive indicators of contaminant stress. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2012; 64:1029-1038. [PMID: 22385752 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Revised: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
With many environments worldwide experiencing at least some degree of anthropogenic modification, there is great urgency to identify sensitive indicators of ecosystem stress. Estuarine organisms are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic contaminants. This study presents bacterial communities as sensitive indicators of contaminant stress. Sediments were collected from multiple sites within inner and outer zones of three heavily modified and three relatively unmodified estuaries. Bacterial communities were censused using Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis and analysed for a suite of metal and PAH contaminants. Shifts in both bacterial community composition and diversity showed strong associations with sediment contaminant concentrations, particularly with metals. Importantly, these changes are discernable from environmental variation inherent to highly complex estuarine environments. Moreover, variation in bacterial communities within sites was limited. This allowed for differences between sites, zones and estuaries to be explained by variables of interest such as contaminants that vary between, but not within individual sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Y Sun
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Montgomery MT, Coffin RB, Boyd TJ, Smith JP, Walker SE, Osburn CL. 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene mineralization and bacterial production rates of natural microbial assemblages from coastal sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:3673-80. [PMID: 21839558 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Revised: 07/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The nitrogenous energetic constituent, 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), is widely reported to be resistant to bacterial mineralization (conversion to CO(2)); however, these studies primarily involve bacterial isolates from freshwater where bacterial production is typically limited by phosphorus. This study involved six surveys of coastal waters adjacent to three biome types: temperate broadleaf, northern coniferous, and tropical. Capacity to catabolize and mineralize TNT ring carbon to CO(2) was a common feature of natural sediment assemblages from these coastal environments (ranging to 270+/-38 μg C kg(-1) d(-1)). More importantly, these mineralization rates comprised a significant proportion of total heterotrophic production. The finding that most natural assemblages surveyed from these ecosystems can mineralize TNT ring carbon to CO(2) is consistent with recent reports that assemblage components can incorporate TNT ring carbon into bacterial biomass. These data counter the widely held contention that TNT is recalcitrant to bacterial catabolism of the ring carbon in natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Montgomery
- Naval Research Laboratory, Marine Biogeochemistry Section, Code 6114, 4555 Overlook Avenue, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
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