scholarly journals Microbial Diversity in Anaerobic Sediments at Río Tinto, a Naturally Acidic Environment with a High Heavy Metal Content

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (17) ◽  
pp. 6085-6093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Sánchez-Andrea ◽  
Nuria Rodríguez ◽  
Ricardo Amils ◽  
José Luis Sanz
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tinto River ◽  
Reducing Bacteria

ABSTRACTThe Tinto River is an extreme environment located at the core of the Iberian Pyritic Belt (IPB). It is an unusual ecosystem due to its size (100 km long), constant acidic pH (mean pH, 2.3), and high concentration of heavy metals, iron, and sulfate in its waters, characteristics that make the Tinto River Basin comparable to acidic mine drainage (AMD) systems. In this paper we present an extensive survey of the Tinto River sediment microbiota using two culture-independent approaches: denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and cloning of 16S rRNA genes. The taxonomic affiliation of theBacteriashowed a high degree of biodiversity, falling into 5 different phyla:Proteobacteria,Firmicutes,Bacteroidetes,Acidobacteria, andActinobacteria; meanwhile, all theArchaeawere affiliated with the orderThermoplasmatales. Microorganisms involved in the iron (Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans,Sulfobacillusspp.,Ferroplasmaspp., etc.), sulfur (Desulfurellaspp.,Desulfosporosinusspp.,Thermodesulfobiumspp., etc.), and carbon (Acidiphiliumspp.,Bacillusspp.,Clostridiumspp.,Acidobacteriumspp., etc.) cycles were identified, and their distribution was correlated with physicochemical parameters of the sediments. Ferric iron was the main electron acceptor for the oxidation of organic matter in the most acid and oxidizing layers, so acidophilic facultative Fe(III)-reducing bacteria appeared widely in the clone libraries. With increasing pH, the solubility of iron decreases and sulfate-reducing bacteria become dominant, with the ecological role of methanogens being insignificant. Considering the identified microorganisms—which, according to the rarefaction curves and Good's coverage values, cover almost all of the diversity—and their corresponding metabolism, we suggest a model of the iron, sulfur, and organic matter cycles in AMD-related sediments.

scholarly journals Gastrointestinal Colonization with a Cephalosporinase-Producing Bacteroides Species Preserves Colonization Resistance against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus and Clostridium difficile in Cephalosporin-Treated Mice

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (8) ◽  
pp. 4535-4542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usha Stiefel ◽  
Michelle M. Nerandzic ◽  
Michael J. Pultz ◽  
Curtis J. Donskey
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Intestinal Tract ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Antibiotic Effect ◽  
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant

ABSTRACTAntibiotics that are excreted into the intestinal tract may disrupt the indigenous intestinal microbiota and promote colonization by health care-associated pathogens. β-Lactam, or penicillin-type, antibiotics are among the most widely utilized antibiotics worldwide and may also adversely affect the microbiota. Many bacteria are capable, however, of producing β-lactamase enzymes that inactivate β-lactam antibiotics. We hypothesized that prior establishment of intestinal colonization with a β-lactamase-producing anaerobe might prevent these adverse effects of β-lactam antibiotics, by inactivating the portion of antibiotic that is excreted into the intestinal tract. Here, mice with a previously abolished microbiota received either oral normal saline or an oral cephalosporinase-producing strain ofBacteroides thetaiotaomicronfor 3 days. Mice then received 3 days of subcutaneous ceftriaxone, followed by either oral administration of vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus(VRE) or sacrifice and assessment ofin vitrogrowth of epidemic and nonepidemic strains ofClostridium difficilein murine cecal contents. Stool concentrations of VRE and ceftriaxone were measured, cecal levels ofC. difficile24 h after incubation were quantified, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of microbial 16S rRNA genes was performed to evaluate the antibiotic effect on the microbiota. The results demonstrated that establishment of prior colonization with a β-lactamase-producing intestinal anaerobe inactivated intraintestinal ceftriaxone during treatment with this antibiotic, allowed recovery of the normal microbiota despite systemic ceftriaxone, and prevented overgrowth with VRE and epidemic and nonepidemic strains ofC. difficilein mice. These findings describe a novel probiotic strategy to potentially prevent pathogen colonization in hospitalized patients.

scholarly journals Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis and Barcoded Pyrosequencing Reveal Unprecedented Archaeal Diversity in Mangrove Sediment and Rhizosphere Samples

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (16) ◽  
pp. 5520-5528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. C. Pires ◽  
Daniel F. R. Cleary ◽  
Adelaide Almeida ◽  
Ângela Cunha ◽  
Simone Dealtry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Mangrove Sediment ◽  
Bulk Sediment ◽  
Archaeal Diversity ◽  
Mangrove Species ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

ABSTRACTMangroves are complex ecosystems that regulate nutrient and sediment fluxes to the open sea. The importance of bacteria and fungi in regulating nutrient cycles has led to an interest in their diversity and composition in mangroves. However, very few studies have assessedArchaeain mangroves, and virtually nothing is known about whether mangrove rhizospheres affect archaeal diversity and composition. Here, we studied the diversity and composition ofArchaeain mangrove bulk sediment and the rhizospheres of two mangrove trees,Rhizophora mangleandLaguncularia racemosa, using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and pyrosequencing of archaeal 16S rRNA genes with a nested-amplification approach. DGGE profiles revealed significant structural differences between bulk sediment and rhizosphere samples, suggesting that roots of both mangrove species influence the sediment archaeal community. Nearly all of the detected sequences obtained with pyrosequencing were identified asArchaea, but most were unclassified at the level of phylum or below. Archaeal richness was, furthermore, the highest in theL. racemosarhizosphere, intermediate in bulk sediment, and the lowest in theR. manglerhizosphere. This study shows that rhizosphere microhabitats ofR. mangleandL. racemosa, common plants in subtropical mangroves located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, hosted distinct archaeal assemblages.

scholarly journals Bacterioplankton Community Shifts in an Arctic Lake Correlate with Seasonal Changes in Organic Matter Source

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 2253-2268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron C. Crump ◽  
George W. Kling ◽  
Michele Bahr ◽  
John E. Hobbie
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Phytoplankton Community ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Leucine Incorporation ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Bacterioplankton Community

ABSTRACT Seasonal shifts in bacterioplankton community composition in Toolik Lake, a tundra lake on the North Slope of Alaska, were related to shifts in the source (terrestrial versus phytoplankton) and lability of dissolved organic matter (DOM). A shift in community composition, measured by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA genes, occurred at 4°C in near-surface waters beneath seasonal ice and snow cover in spring. This shift was associated with an annual peak in bacterial productivity ([14C]leucine incorporation) driven by the large influx of labile terrestrial DOM associated with snow meltwater. A second shift occurred after the flux of terrestrial DOM had ended in early summer as ice left the lake and as the phytoplankton community developed. Bacterioplankton communities were composed of persistent populations present throughout the year and transient populations that appeared and disappeared. Most of the transient populations could be divided into those that were advected into the lake with terrestrial DOM in spring and those that grew up from low concentrations during the development of the phytoplankton community in early summer. Sequencing of DNA in DGGE bands demonstrated that most bands represented single ribotypes and that matching bands from different samples represented identical ribotypes. Bacteria were identified as members of globally distributed freshwater phylogenetic clusters within the α- and β-Proteobacteria, the Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacteroides group, and the Actinobacteria.

scholarly journals Novel Firmicutes Group Implicated in the Dechlorination of Two Chlorinated Xanthones, Analogues of Natural Organochlorines

2013 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 1210-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Krzmarzick ◽  
Hanna R. Miller ◽  
Tao Yan ◽  
Paige J. Novak
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
The Other ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qpcr Method ◽  
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Abundance And Diversity

ABSTRACTAlthough the abundance and diversity of natural organochlorines are well established, much is still unknown about the degradation of these compounds. Triplicate microcosms were used to determine whether, and which, bacterial communities could dechlorinate two chlorinated xanthones (2,7-dichloroxanthone and 5,7-dichloro-1,3-dihydroxylxanthone), analogues of a diverse class of natural organochlorines. According to quantitative-PCR (qPCR) results, several known dechlorinating genera were either not present or not enriched during dechlorination of the xanthones. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, however, indicated that severalFirmicuteswere enriched in the dechlorinating cultures compared to triplicate controls amended with nonchlorinated xanthones. One such group, herein referred to as the Gopher group, was further studied with a novel qPCR method that confirmed enrichment of Gopher group 16S rRNA genes in the dechlorinating cultures. The enrichment of the Gopher group was again tested with two new sets of triplicate microcosms. Enrichment was observed during chlorinated xanthone dechlorination in one set of these triplicate microcosms. In the other set, two microcosms showed clear enrichment while a third did not. The Gopher group is a previously unidentified group ofFirmicutes, distinct from but related to theDehalobacterandDesulfitobacteriumgenera; this group also contains clones from at least four unique cultures capable of dechlorinating anthropogenic organochlorines that have been previously described in the literature. This study suggests that natural chlorinated xanthones may be effective biostimulants to enhance the remediation of pollutants and highlights the idea that novel genera of dechlorinators likely exist and may be active in bioremediation and the natural cycling of chlorine.

scholarly journals Quantification of Tinto River Sediment Microbial Communities: Importance of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Their Role in Attenuating Acid Mine Drainage

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (13) ◽  
pp. 4638-4645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Sánchez-Andrea ◽  
Katrin Knittel ◽  
Rudolf Amann ◽  
Ricardo Amils ◽  
José Luis Sanz
Keyword(s):  
Redox Potential ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria ◽  
Dissolved Metals ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sulfate Reducing ◽  
Tinto River ◽  
Catalyzed Reporter Deposition ◽  
Card Fish ◽  
Reducing Bacteria

ABSTRACTTinto River (Huelva, Spain) is a natural acidic rock drainage (ARD) environment produced by the bio-oxidation of metallic sulfides from the Iberian Pyritic Belt. This study quantified the abundance of diverse microbial populations inhabiting ARD-related sediments from two physicochemically contrasting sampling sites (SN and JL dams). Depth profiles of total cell numbers differed greatly between the two sites yet were consistent in decreasing sharply at greater depths. Although catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescencein situhybridization with domain-specific probes showed thatBacteria(>98%) dominated overArchaea(<2%) at both sites, important differences were detected at the class and genus levels, reflecting differences in pH, redox potential, and heavy metal concentrations. At SN, where the pH and redox potential are similar to that of the water column (pH 2.5 and +400 mV), the most abundant organisms were identified as iron-reducing bacteria:Acidithiobacillusspp. andAcidiphiliumspp., probably related to the higher iron solubility at low pH. At the JL dam, characterized by a banded sediment with higher pH (4.2 to 6.2), more reducing redox potential (−210 mV to 50 mV), and a lower solubility of iron, members of sulfate-reducing generaSyntrophobacter,Desulfosporosinus, andDesulfurellawere dominant. The latter was quantified with a newly designed CARD-FISH probe. In layers where sulfate-reducing bacteria were abundant, pH was higher and redox potential and levels of dissolved metals and iron were lower. These results suggest that the attenuation of ARD characteristics is biologically driven by sulfate reducers and the consequent precipitation of metals and iron as sulfides.

Microbial Diversity in a Brazilian Acid Moderate Drainage and Experimental Nickel Bioleaching System

2009 ◽  
Vol 71-73 ◽  
pp. 117-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Alves ◽  
C. Bernardelli ◽  
V.A. Leão ◽  
Monica Teixeira ◽  
Edgardo R. Donati
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Microbial Diversity ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Complete Characterization ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Universal Primers ◽  
Fish Analysis ◽  
Acidithiobacillus Thiooxidans

The aim of this work was to determine the microbial diversity of the acid mine drainage (AMD) material collected at an abandoned pyrite mine in Ouro Preto, Brazil. AMD samples were compared to a nickel sulfide column bioleaching pregnant solution which was used as reference. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses (FISH) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) were used. FISH analysis was carried out using specific 16S rRNA probes. The extracted DNA was amplified using universal primers for bacterial 16S rRNA genes and analyzed by DGGE. Acidithiobacillus. ferrooxidans was not detected in AMD samples. However, the presence of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans was confirmed. In other hand, in the bioleaching tanks samples studied, both bacteria species were detected. The non-identified DNA bands were cloned and sequenced for complete characterization.

scholarly journals Extremely Acidophilic Protists from Acid Mine Drainage Host Rickettsiales-Lineage Endosymbionts That Have Intervening Sequences in Their 16S rRNA Genes

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 5512-5518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett J. Baker ◽  
Philip Hugenholtz ◽  
Scott C. Dawson ◽  
Jillian F. Banfield
Keyword(s):  
Acid Mine Drainage ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Mine Drainage ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Variable Region ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Acid Mine

ABSTRACT During a molecular phylogenetic survey of extremely acidic (pH < 1), metal-rich acid mine drainage habitats in the Richmond Mine at Iron Mountain, Calif., we detected 16S rRNA gene sequences of a novel bacterial group belonging to the order Rickettsiales in the Alphaproteobacteria. The closest known relatives of this group (92% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity) are endosymbionts of the protist Acanthamoeba. Oligonucleotide 16S rRNA probes were designed and used to observe members of this group within acidophilic protists. To improve visualization of eukaryotic populations in the acid mine drainage samples, broad-specificity probes for eukaryotes were redesigned and combined to highlight this component of the acid mine drainage community. Approximately 4% of protists in the acid mine drainage samples contained endosymbionts. Measurements of internal pH of the protists showed that their cytosol is close to neutral, indicating that the endosymbionts may be neutrophilic. The endosymbionts had a conserved 273-nucleotide intervening sequence (IVS) in variable region V1 of their 16S rRNA genes. The IVS does not match any sequence in current databases, but the predicted secondary structure forms well-defined stem loops. IVSs are uncommon in rRNA genes and appear to be confined to bacteria living in close association with eukaryotes. Based on the phylogenetic novelty of the endosymbiont sequences and initial culture-independent characterization, we propose the name “Candidatus Captivus acidiprotistae.” To our knowledge, this is the first report of an endosymbiotic relationship in an extremely acidic habitat.

scholarly journals Phylogenetic and Morphological Diversity of Cyanobacteria in Soil Desert Crusts from the Colorado Plateau

2001 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1902-1910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ferran Garcia-Pichel ◽  
Alejandro López-Cortés ◽  
Ulrich Nübel
Keyword(s):  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Colorado Plateau ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Filamentous Cyanobacteria ◽  
Phylogenetic Cluster ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Well Differentiated

ABSTRACT We compared the community structures of cyanobacteria in four biological desert crusts from Utah's Colorado Plateau developing on different substrata. We analyzed natural samples, cultures, and cyanobacterial filaments or colonies retrieved by micromanipulation from field samples using microscopy, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. While microscopic analyses apparently underestimated the biodiversity of thin filamentous cyanobacteria, molecular analyses failed to retrieve signals for otherwise conspicuous heterocystous cyanobacteria with thick sheaths. The diversity found in desert crusts was underrepresented in currently available nucleotide sequence databases, and several novel phylogenetic clusters could be identified. Morphotypes fitting the description of Microcoleus vaginatus Gomont, dominant in most samples, corresponded to a tight phylogenetic cluster of probable cosmopolitan distribution, which was well differentiated from other cyanobacteria traditionally classified within the same genus. A new, diverse phylogenetic cluster, named “Xeronema,” grouped a series of thin filamentousPhormidium-like cyanobacteria. These were also ubiquitous in our samples and probably correspond to various botanicalPhormidium and Schizothrix spp., but they are phylogenetically distant from thin filamentous cyanobacteria from other environments. Significant differences in community structure were found among soil types, indicating that soil characteristics may select for specific cyanobacteria. Gypsum crusts were most deviant from the rest, while sandy, silt, and shale crusts were relatively more similar among themselves.

scholarly journals Respiration of 13C-Labeled Substrates Added to Soil in the Field and Subsequent 16S rRNA Gene Analysis of 13C-Labeled Soil DNA

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 1614-1622 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Padmanabhan ◽  
S. Padmanabhan ◽  
C. DeRito ◽  
A. Gray ◽  
D. Gannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Labeled Compounds ◽  
Field Soil ◽  
Soil Dna

ABSTRACT Our goal was to develop a field soil biodegradation assay using 13C-labeled compounds and identify the active microorganisms by analyzing 16S rRNA genes in soil-derived 13C-labeled DNA. Our biodegradation approach sought to minimize microbiological artifacts caused by physical and/or nutritional disturbance of soil associated with sampling and laboratory incubation. The new field-based assay involved the release of 13C-labeled compounds (glucose, phenol, caffeine, and naphthalene) to soil plots, installation of open-bottom glass chambers that covered the soil, and analysis of samples of headspace gases for 13CO2 respiration by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). We verified that the GC/MS procedure was capable of assessing respiration of the four substrates added (50 ppm) to 5 g of soil in sealed laboratory incubations. Next, we determined background levels of 13CO2 emitted from naturally occurring soil organic matter to chambers inserted into our field soil test plots. We found that the conservative tracer, SF6, that was injected into the headspace rapidly diffused out of the soil chamber and thus would be of little value for computing the efficiency of retaining respired 13CO2. Field respiration assays using all four compounds were completed. Background respiration from soil organic matter interfered with the documentation of in situ respiration of the slowly metabolized (caffeine) and sparingly soluble (naphthalene) compounds. Nonetheless, transient peaks of 13CO2 released in excess of background were found in glucose- and phenol-treated soil within 8 h. Cesium-chloride separation of 13C-labeled soil DNA was followed by PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from microbial populations involved with 13C-substrate metabolism. A total of 29 full sequences revealed that active populations included relatives of Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Massilia, Flavobacterium, and Pedobacter spp. for glucose; Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Alcaligenes spp. for phenol; Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Variovorax spp. for naphthalene; and Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Pantoea spp. for caffeine.

Perchlorate removal using two component biodegradable carriers in particle-fixed biofilm reactor

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-244
Author(s):  
Fang He ◽  
Fusheng Li ◽  
Haihong Zhou ◽  
Lingling Niu ◽  
Liguo Wang
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Source ◽  
Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Polymer Particle ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Biofilm Reactors ◽  
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Perchlorate Removal ◽  
Fixed Biofilm

In this research, biocompounds designed out of two polymers having different degradability was investigated for use as the sole carbon source and biofilm carrier to remove perchlorate in particle-fixed biofilm reactors. Both laboratory batch and column experiments were conducted with perchlorate contaminated groundwater. Batch experiments demonstrated clearly that ClO4– was removed from the aqueous phase readily and the degradation rate constants (k) changed in the range of 0.23–0.37 mg/L h as ClO4– concentration increased from 2 to 8 mg/L. Simultaneous perchlorate and nitrate degradation occurred in the polymer bioreactor. Effluent concentrations of perchlorate varied positively with temperature and fitted the Arrhenius equation expression as k=k20•100.0316(t–20) over the range of 13–30 °C. No perchlorate was detected in the effluent of polymer columns after 20 days’ startup. Complete perchlorate removal was observed at a hydraulic loading rate doubled to 1.8 mL/min. Images prove the concept of the pore and filament structure within the biocompounds, which provide both a heterotrophic biofilm and carbon source. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis and partial sequencing of 16S rRNA genes indicated that formerly reported perchlorate-reducing bacteria were present in the polymer particle-fixed biofilm reactors.

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