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Using Real-Time PCR to Assess Changes in the Hydrocarbon-Degrading Microbial Community in Antarctic Soil During Bioremediation

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 15:32 authored by Shane PowellShane Powell, Ferguson, SH, John BowmanJohn Bowman, Snape, I
A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to quantify the proportion of microorganisms containing alkane monooxygenase was developed and used to follow changes in the microbial community in hydrocarbon-contaminated Antarctic soil during a bioremediation field trial. Assays for the alkB and rpoB genes were validated and found to be both sensitive and reproducible (less than 2% intrarun variation and 25-38% interrun variation). Results from the real-time PCR analysis were compared to analysis of the microbial population by a culture-based technique [most probable number (MPN) counts]. Both types of analysis indicated that fertilizer addition to hydrocarbon-contaminated soil stimulated the indigenous bacterial population within 1 year. The proportion of alkB containing microorganisms was positively correlated to the concentration of n-alkanes in the soil. After the concentration of n-alkanes in the soil decreased, the proportion of alkane-degrading microorganisms decreased, but the proportion of total hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms increased, indicating another shift in the microbial community structure and ongoing biodegradation. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

History

Publication title

Microbial Ecology

Volume

52

Pagination

523-532

ISSN

0095-3628

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Publisher

Springer New York LLC

Place of publication

United States

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems

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