Dynamic changes in microbial community structure and function in phenol-degrading microcosms inoculated with cells from a contaminated aquifer

Abstract

Contamination of aquifers by organic pollutants threatens groundwater supplies and the environment. In situ biodegradation of organic pollutants by microbial communities is important for the remediation of contaminated sites, but our understanding of the relationship between microbial development and pollutant biodegradation is poor. A particular challenge is understanding the in situ status of microorganisms attached to solid surfaces, but not accessible via conventional sampling of groundwater. We have developed novel flow-through microcosms and examined dynamic changes in microbial community structure and function in a phenol-degrading system. Inoculation of these microcosms with a complex microbial community from a plume in a phenol-contaminated aquifer led to the initial establishment of a population dominated by a few species, most attached to the solid substratum. Initially, phenol biodegradation was incomplete, but as the microbial community structure became more complex, phenol biodegradation was more extensive and complete. These results were replicated between independent microcosms, indicating a deterministic succession of species. This work demonstrates the importance of examining community dynamics when assessing the potential for microbial biodegradation of organic pollutants. It provides a novel system in which such measurements can be made readily and reproducibly to study the temporal development and spatial succession of microbial communities during biodegradation of organic pollutants at interfaces within such environments.

Catabolism of Phenol and Its Derivatives in Bacteria

“…Describing the dynamic relationship between the composition of a microbial community and pollutant biodegradation is important for in situ bioremediation. A flow-through microcosm suitable for the analysis of such changes was developed to study the microbial community obtained from a contaminated aquifer during phenol degradation (Elliott et al, 2010). This microcosm system was used to reveal the temporal and spatial development of the microbial community and explain the changes in the ratios of microbial species, resulting in a more complex community that degraded phenol faster and completely in the later stages of the process.…”

Dissolved Organic Carbon Influences Microbial Community Composition and Diversity in Managed Aquifer Recharge Systems

“…Our specific findings for MAR indicate that water content (saturated and unsaturated) and DOC concentration might be two major determinants of microbial community structure. Since microorganisms in soil or sediment are generally adsorbed to solid matrices or form biofilms (6,17), water content could directly affect the diffusion and availability of substrates as well as influence the osmotic status of microbial cells (30,32,43). Canonical correlation analysis is a way of measuring the linear relationship between two sets of multidimensional variables.…”

Adsorption of poly acrylic acid onto the surface of calcite: an experimental and simulation study

“…1 The formation of these biofilms on solid surfaces is of great interest to biotechnology in areas such as medical implant contamination where the formation of biofilms can lead to infections, 2 the pollution of groundwater supplies, 3 soil science and bio manufacturing. 1 The formation of these biofilms on solid surfaces is of great interest to biotechnology in areas such as medical implant contamination where the formation of biofilms can lead to infections, 2 the pollution of groundwater supplies, 3 soil science and bio manufacturing.…”