Effects of metals on activity and community of sulfate-reducing bacterial enrichments and the discovery of a new heavy metal-resistant SRB from Santos Port sediment (São Paulo, Brazil)

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) can be used to remove metals from wastewater, sewage, and contaminated areas. However, metals can be toxic to this group of bacteria. Sediments from port areas present abundance of SRB and also metal contamination. Their microbial community has been exposed to metals and can be a good inoculum for isolation of metal-resistant SRB. The objective of the study was to analyze how metals influence activity and composition of sulfate-reducing bacteria. Enrichment cultures were prepared with a different metal (Zn, Cr, Cu, and Cd) range concentration tracking activity of SRB and 16S rRNA sequencing in order to access the community. The SRB activity decreased when there was an increase in the concentration of the metals tested. The highest concentration of metals precipitated were 0.2 mM of Cd, 5.4 mM of Zn, 4.5 mM of Cu, and 9.6 mM of Cr. The more toxic metals were Cd and Cu and had a greater community similarity with less SRB and more fermenters (e.g., Citrobacter and Clostridium). Meanwhile, the enrichments with less toxic metals (Cr and Zn) had more sequences affiliated to SRB genera (mainly Desulfovibrio). A new Desulfovibrio species was isolated. This type of study can be useful to understand the effects of metals in SRB communities and help to optimize wastewater treatment processes contaminated by metals. The new Desulfovibrio species may be important in future studies on bioremediation of neutral pH effluents contaminated by metals.

Heavy metal concentrations in Brazilian port areas and their relationships with microorganisms: can pollution in these areas change the microbial community?

The objectives of this study were to analyze the difference in ways in which metals polluting Brazilian port areas influence bacterial communities and the selection of resistant strains. The hypothesis tested was that port areas would have microbial communities significantly different from a pristine area, mainly due to a greater load of metals found in these areas. Sediment samples were collected in two port areas (Santos and São Sebastião) and one pristine area (Ubatuba). Total DNA was extracted and MiSeq sequencing was performed. A hundred strains were isolated from the same samples and were tested for metal resistance. The community composition was similar in the two port regions, but differed from the pristine area. Microbial diversity was significantly lower in the port areas. The phyla Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Thermodesulfobacteria exhibited positive correlations with copper and zinc concentrations. Chloroflex, Nitrospirae, Planctomycetes, and Chlorobi exhibited negative correlations with copper, chromium, and zinc. Cr and Zn had higher concentrations at port areas and were responsible to select more metal-resistant strains. Some genera were found to be able to easily develop metal resistance. The most isolated genera were Bacillus, Vibrio, and Pseudomonas. This type of study can illustrate, even in very complex natural environments, the influence of pollution on the community as a whole and the consequences of these changes.

Density and diversity of filamentous fungi in the water and sediment of Araçá bay in São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract Araçá Bay, located in the city of São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil, is a protected area of substantial complexity. It represents the last remaining mangrove swamp preserve between the cities of Bertioga and Ubatuba on the northern coast of São Paulo State. This mangrove swamp has specific physical and chemical properties, and it shelters a wide variety of life, including fungi. These microorganisms are present in a variety of species with different morphophysiological features, and they have the ability to produce enzymes of biotechnological importance. The goal of this study was to quantify, isolate, and identify filamentous fungi in water and sediment samples from the Araçá Bay mangrove swamp in São Sebastião. Two samplings were performed in the summer and two were performed in the winter. The samples were collected from intertidal zones, and dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, salinity, and pH were measured in situ. The spread plate technique was used to inoculate the samples collected on plates with a potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. A total of 208 colonies (68 from water samples and 140 from sediment samples) were isolated, and they were identified based on their morphological characteristics. Filamentous fungus density was higher in the sediment than in the water, and the samplings performed in the winter revealed a higher density than those performed in the summer. Though some of the environmental parameters were not ideal for fungal development, a high quantity of growth was nevertheless observed. When the isolated colonies were analyzed, the greatest diversity and species richness were found in the summer samples. The genera identified in all of the samples were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Fusarium. The pathogenic species found from these genera were Aspergillus fumigatus, A. terreus, Penicillium citrinum, and P. chrysogenum. These species are also able to produce enzymes that offer a variety of applications. The fungal community described herein represents the diversity found in this mangrove swamp during the period studied. Many of the fungus species found are pathogenic and may be useful due to their ability to produce specific enzymes applicable in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industries.

Diversity and Distribution of Heavy Metal-Resistant Bacteria in Polluted Sediments of the Araça Bay, São Sebastião (SP), and the Relationship Between Heavy Metals and Organic Matter Concentrations

Heavy metals influence the population size, diversity, and metabolic activity of bacteria. In turn, bacteria can develop heavy metal resistance mechanisms, and this can be used in bioremediation of contaminated areas. The purpose of the present study was to understand how heavy metals concentration influence on diversity and distribution of heavy metal-resistant bacteria in Araça Bay, São Sebastião, on the São Paulo coast of Brazil. The hypothesis is that activities that contribute for heavy metal disposal and the increase of metals concentrations in environment can influence in density, diversity, and distribution of heavy metal-resistant bacteria. Only 12 % of the isolated bacteria were sensitive to all of the metals tested. We observed that the highest percentage of resistant strains were in areas closest to the São Sebastião channel, where port activity occurs and have bigger heavy metals concentrations. Bacterial isolated were most resistant to Cr, followed by Zn, Cd, and Cu. Few strains resisted to Cd levels greater than 200 mg L(-1). In respect to Cr, 36 % of the strains were able to grow in the presence of as much as 3200 mg L(-1). Few strains were able to grow at concentrations of Zn and Cu as high as 1600 mg L(-1), and none grew at the highest concentration of 3200 mg L(-1). Bacillus sp. was most frequently isolated and may be the dominant genus in heavy metal-polluted areas. Staphylococcus sp., Planococcus maritimus, and Vibrio aginolyticus were also isolated, suggesting their potential in bioremediation of contaminated sites.

Densities and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from marine waters and beach sands

Bacterial resistance is a rising problem all over the world. Many studies have showed that beach sands can contain higher concentration of microorganisms and represent a risk to public health. This paper aims to evaluate the densities and resistance to antimicrobials of Escherichia coli strains, isolated from seawater and samples. The hypothesis is that microorganisms show higher densities in contaminated beach sands and more antimicrobial resistance than the water column. Density, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria E. coli were evaluate in seawater and sands from two recreational beaches with different levels of pollution. At the beach with higher degree of pollution (Gonzaguinha), water samples presented the highest densities of E. coli; however, higher frequency of resistant strains was observe in wet sand (71.9 %). Resistance to a larger number of antimicrobial groups was observe in water (betalactamics, aminoglycosides, macrolides, rifampicins, and tetracyclines) and sand (betagalactamics and aminoglycosids). In water samples, highest frequencies of resistance were obtain against ampicilin (22.5 %), streptomycin (15.0 %), and rifampicin (15.0 %), while in sand, the highest frequencies were observe in relation to ampicilin (36.25 %) and streptomycin (23.52 %). At the less polluted beach, Ilha Porchat, highest densities of E. coli and higher frequency of resistance were obtain in wet and dry sand (53.7 and 53.8 %, respectively) compared to water (50 %). Antimicrobial resistance in strains isolated from water and sand only occurred against betalactamics (ampicilin and amoxicilin plus clavulanic acid). The frequency and variability of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in marine recreational waters and sands were related to the degree of fecal contamination in this environment. These results show that water and sands from beaches with a high index of fecal contamination of human origin may be potential sources of contamination by pathogens and contribute to the dissemination of bacterial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance of heterotrophic marine bacteria isolated from seawater and sands of recreational beaches with different organic pollution levels in southeastern Brazil: evidences of resistance dissemination

Antimicrobial resistance of marine heterotrophic bacteria to different antimicrobials agents were evaluated in seawater, dry and wet sands from three marine recreational beaches with different pollution levels. In all studied beaches, the greatest frequencies of resistance were found in relation to penicillin. On Gonzaguinha, the most polluted beach, 72.3% of all isolated strains showed simple resistance, whilst 8.33% had multiple resistance. The values found on Ilha Porchat beach, were 70.8% and 6.9% for simple and multiple resistances, respectively. On Guaraú, the less polluted beach, only 35.3% of isolated strains had simple resistance. Multiple resistance was not observed. While samples from Gonzaguinha and Ilha Porchat beach showed isolated strains resistant to seven and six different antimicrobial agents, respectively, samples from Guaraú beach were resistant only to penicillin and erytromicin. The positive correlations obtained between the degree of seawater contamination and frequency and variability of bacterial resistance indicate that polluted marine recreational waters and sands are sources of resistant bacteria contributing thus, to the dissemination of bacterial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance and species composition of Enterococcus spp. isolated from waters and sands of marine recreational beaches in Southeastern Brazil

Density, species composition and antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of the Enterococcus genus were evaluated in seawater and sands from 2 marine recreational beaches with different levels of pollution. The 2 beaches showed predominance of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, in the water and the sand. Dry sand presented higher densities of Enterococcus sp. and higher frequency of resistant strains than wet sand and seawater. The beach with a higher degree of pollution presented higher percentages of resistant strains (66.7% and 61.5%, in sand and in water, respectively) and resistance to a larger number of antimicrobials compared with the less polluted beach, Ilha Porchat (35.7% and 31.25% of resistant strains in sand and water, respectively). In water samples, the highest frequencies of resistance were obtained against streptomycin (38.5%) and erythromycin (25%), whilst in sand, the highest frequencies were observed in relation to erythromycin and tetracycline (38.1% and 14.3%, respectively). These results show that water and sands from beaches with high indexes of faecal contamination of human origin may be potential sources of contamination by pathogens and contribute to the dissemination of bacterial resistance.