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Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Induced Changes in Bacterial Community Structure under Anoxic Nitrate Reducing
Sophie-Marie Martirani-Von Abercron1, Daniel Pacheco1, Patricia Benito-Santano1
1Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Department of Environmental Protection, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas Granada, Spain.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|November 24, 2016
Summary
Researchers identified nitrate-reducing bacteria capable of degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in polluted environments. Further study is needed to define culture conditions for isolating these PAH-degrading bacterial strains.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Bioremediation
- Anaerobic Respiration
Background:
- Anaerobic degradation of mono-aromatic compounds is well-understood.
- Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by sulfate-reducing bacteria is emerging.
- Little is known about PAH degradation by nitrate-reducing bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and quantify bacterial communities degrading PAHs using nitrate as an electron acceptor.
- To isolate bacterial strains capable of degrading PAHs under denitrifying conditions.
- To investigate the genetic basis of PAH degradation in nitrate-reducing bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Most probable number (MPN) enumeration of PAH-degrading communities.
- Enrichment cultures using PAHs and nitrate.
- Community analysis via 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Screening for anaerobic PAH degradation genes (nmsA, bssA).
Main Results:
- Identified significant nitrate-reducing communities degrading naphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene (2MN), and anthracene in polluted sites.
- Enrichment cultures showed community shifts, with uncultured Acidobacteria (group iii1-8) and Bacilli being selected.
- Isolated nitrate-reducing strains grew on PAHs in solid media but not liquid cultures.
- No nmsA-like genes were found, but bssA-like genes (toluene degradation) were present.
Conclusions:
- PAH degradation by nitrate-reducing bacteria likely involves multiple strains.
- Specific culture conditions for isolating these bacteria remain undefined.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and optimize conditions for anaerobic PAH bioremediation.
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