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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2025

Simultaneous DNA-RNA Extraction from Coastal Sediments and Quantification of 16S rRNA Genes and Transcripts by Real-time PCR

Simultaneous DNA-RNA Extraction from Coastal Sediments and Quantification of 16S rRNA Genes and Transcripts by Real-time PCR

Published on: June 11, 2016

Response of Microbial Communities to Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material-Contaminated Sediments: A

Amy MacIntosh^1,2, Katherine Dafforn², Anthony Chariton²

¹Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, New South Wales, Australia.

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

|May 31, 2024

Summary

Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in offshore oil infrastructure did not significantly alter benthic microbial communities in lab studies. However, specific bacteria like Firmicutes and Chloroflexi showed increased presence, suggesting potential contaminant tolerance.

Keywords:

Contaminants of emerging concern Ecological risk assessment Ecotoxicology Microbial toxicology Oil and gas Radionuclides eDNA

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Published on: October 21, 2016

Area of Science:

Environmental Toxicology
Marine Microbiology
Radioactive Contamination

Background:

Offshore oil and gas infrastructure decommissioning requires understanding contaminant impacts, particularly Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM).
NORM in marine sediments can pose ecological risks, but its effects on benthic microbial communities are poorly understood.
Microbes are vital for marine sediment ecosystem services.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the ecological impact of NORM-contaminated scale from offshore oil infrastructure on benthic microbial communities.
To assess changes in microbial community composition in response to NORM exposure under controlled laboratory conditions.

Main Methods:

Laboratory microcosm studies using natural sediment spiked with NORM-contaminated scale.
Exposure of sediments to NORM at radium-226 activity concentrations from 9.5 to 59.8 Bq/kg.
Analysis of microbial community composition via high-throughput sequencing of environmental DNA over 7 and 28 days.

Main Results:

No significant differences in overall microbial community composition were observed between control and NORM-spiked sediments.
A notable increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes was observed in scale-mixed treatments.
Chloroflexi showed a greater presence in scale-surface treatments after 28 days.

Conclusions:

Microcosm studies are valuable for assessing the impact of oil and gas infrastructure contaminants on sediment microbial communities.
The observed shifts in microbial populations may indicate selection for species tolerant to radiation and metal toxicity.
Further research is needed to understand microbial tolerance mechanisms and their potential as bioindicators for radionuclide contamination.