Bacterial diversity in biofilms formed on condenser tube surfaces in a nuclear power plant |
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Authors: | Dong H Choi Jae H Noh Ok H Yu Yeon S Kang |
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Institution: | 1. Marine Living Resources Research Department , Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute , Ansan , 426-744 , Republic of Korea dhchoi@kordi.re.kr;3. Marine Living Resources Research Department , Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute , Ansan , 426-744 , Republic of Korea;4. Environmental Research Group , Korea Electric Power Research Institute , Daejeon , 305-380 , Republic of Korea |
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Abstract: | To elucidate the bacterial diversity in biofilms formed on a condenser tube from a nuclear power plant, 16S rRNA gene sequences were examined using a PCR-cloning-sequencing approach. Twelve operational taxonomic units were retrieved in the clone library, and the estimated species richness was low (13.2). Most of the clones (94.7%) were affiliated with α-Proteobacteria; Planctomycetes and γ-Proteobacteria were much rarer. Interestingly, except for one clone belonging to Pseudoalteromonas, most of the sequences displayed sequence similarities <97% of those of the closest type strains. Based on 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis, most bacteria were assigned to novel taxa above the species level. The low species richness and unusual bacterial composition may be attributable to selective pressure from chlorine in the cooling water. To prevent or control bacterial biofilms in cooling circuits, additional studies of the physiology and ecology of these species will be essential. |
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Keywords: | bacterial diversity biofilm condenser tube chlorination 16S rRNA |
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