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Isolation, Propagation, and Identification of Bacterial Species with Hydrocarbon Metabolizing Properties from Aquatic Habitats
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Characteristics of Hg-resistant bacteria isolated from Minamata Bay sediment

K Nakamura, T Fujisaki, H Tamashiro

    Environmental Research
    |June 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Mercury-resistant Pseudomonas bacteria isolated from Minamata Bay sediment exhibit higher mercury resistance and volatilization capabilities. These findings highlight the potential role of these bacteria in the mercury cycle within polluted environments.

    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Microbiology
    • Biogeochemical Cycles
    • Bacterial Resistance

    Background:

    • Minamata Bay sediment shows high mercury pollution (45.8 µg/g).
    • Mercury-resistant bacteria were isolated from heavily polluted Minamata Bay sediment.
    • Sendai Bay sediment served as a control with lower mercury levels (1 µg/g).

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate mercury resistance and volatilization in bacterial strains from Minamata Bay.
    • To compare mercury resistance of bacteria from Minamata Bay with those from Sendai Bay.
    • To assess the potential role of mercury-resistant bacteria in the mercury cycle.

    Main Methods:

    • Isolation of mercury-resistant bacteria (Pseudomonas) on HgCl2-containing agar.
    • Determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for various mercurial compounds.
    • Measurement of mercury volatilization from liquid cultures.

    Main Results:

    • Seventy-two mercury-resistant Pseudomonas strains were isolated from Minamata Bay.
    • Pseudomonads from Minamata Bay showed significantly higher MICs to mercurial compounds compared to Sendai Bay strains.
    • All 70 tested mercury-resistant Pseudomonas strains from Minamata Bay demonstrated mercury volatilization, with a mean loss of 60.4 ± 17.3%.

    Conclusions:

    • Mercury-resistant Pseudomonas species from Minamata Bay possess enhanced resistance and significant mercury volatilization abilities.
    • These bacteria may play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of mercury in polluted ecosystems.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the ecological significance of these mercury-resistant bacteria.

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