Metabolic Potential of Some Functional Groups of Bacteria in Aquatic Urban Systems

Abstract

This study analyzed the metabolic potential of some functional groups of bacteria in aquatic urban systems and evaluated the abundance of communities of total heterotrophic bacteria in the water in relation to the monitored physico-chemical factors. The results obtained showed seasonal differences, especially in spring. The high values of the abundance of heterotrophs in winter are related to human activity at the sampling stations. Screening for four types of extracellular hydrolytic enzyme with potential for degradation of organic matter (amylases, lipases, proteases and cellulases) led to the conclusion that lipolytic bacteria were dominant in the studied ecosystems, while proteolytic bacteria were observed in low numbers, but were present in urbanized areas. The presence of cellulolytic bacteria is correlated with the development of macrophytic vegetation. The aim of the present study was oriented towards the evaluation of the anthropogenic input in several lakes surrounding Bucharest in the Nord-Eastern region. These urban ecosystems are generated as a requirement of city development. The microbiological and general enzymatic approaches generated some novel results concerning the pollution degree of aquatic urban ecosystems and could be considered as a platform for further investigation.

Quantitative Analyses of Chemical Elements in Phragmites australis as Bioindication of Anthropization in Urban Lakes

“…The presence of a wide range of elements, including the series of lanthanides and actinides, can be supported by the pollution from anthropogenic sources that is brought into lakes by wind or by the flow of the water. The higher number of microorganisms identified in the studied lakes [40], together with the other natural factors, contribute to the degradation of these waste types that pollute the water. In this way, a significant number of chemical elements can be identified.…”