Comparative analysis of biodiversity in the planktonic and biofilm bacterial communities in Lake Baikal

Bacterial communities of the water and the biofilm formed during five years on an artificial substrate in Lake Baikal were studied by the pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments; taxonomic diversity of bacterial communities and differences in their structure were revealed. The biofilm community contained mainly representatives of three phyla: Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria; the amounts of other groups were within 1%. Bacterial community of the plankton was more heterogeneous; along with the dominant phyla (Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria) 15% of the members were of the other phyla. The use of pyrosequencing allowed to reveal 35 bacterial phyla in Lake Baikal, some of which were identified for the first time; moreover, minor groups of microorganisms (including only several sequences), which were not earlier determined by other molecular methods were found.     

Diversity of cultivable bacteria isolated from the water column and bottom sediments of the Kara Sea shelf

In this work, the results of microbiological and molecular genetic investigation of the microorganisms inhabiting the Kara Sea and the adjacent Yenisei and Gydanskii Bays are presented. The microorganisms isolated from the samples collected in the studied area belonged to 4 phyla and 11 genera. Bacteria of two phyla, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, prevailed; representatives of the Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were isolated as well. According to their phenotypic properties, the obtained pure cultures were classified with the genera Streptomyces, Rhodococcus, Micrococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, and Marinococcus. Analysis of the obtained nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes confirmed that the isolates belonged to the genus Bacillus. One strain was reidentified as Brevibacillus laterosporus, and two strains were identified Aeromonas piscicola and Plantibacter sp. The results of the study of the enzymatic activity of the obtained pure psychrotolerant cultures suggest that the microbial community is actively involved in the destruction processes occurring in the studied area.     

Culturable bacterial diversity at the Princess Elisabeth Station (Utsteinen, Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica) harbours many new taxa

We studied the culturable heterotrophic bacterial diversity present at the site of the new Princess Elisabeth Station at Utsteinen (Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica) before construction. About 800 isolates were picked from two terrestrial microbial mat samples after incubation on several growth media at different temperatures. They were grouped using rep-PCR fingerprinting and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete 16S rRNA gene sequences of 93 representatives showed that the isolates belonged to five major phyla: Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Deinococcus-Thermus. Isolates related to the genus Arthrobacter were the most prevalent whereas the genera Hymenobacter, Deinococcus, Cryobacterium and Sphingomonas were also recovered in high numbers in both samples. A total of 35 different genera were found, the majority of which has previously been reported from Antarctica. For the genera Aeromicrobium, Aurantimonas, Rothia, Subtercola, Tessaracoccus and Xylophilus, this is the first report in Antarctica. In addition, numerous potential new species and new genera were recovered; many of them currently restricted to Antarctica, particularly in the phyla Bacteroidetes and Deinococcus-Thermus.     

Diversity of 16S rRNA genes in metagenomic community of the freshwater sponge Lubomirskia baicalensis

Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA genes in the metagenomic community of Lubomirskia baicalensis has revealed taxonomic diversity of bacteria associated with the endemic freshwater sponge. Fifty-four operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to six bacterial phyla (Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria (class ??-Proteobacteria and ??-Proteobacteria) Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, and Nitrospira) have been identified. Actinobacteria, whose representatives are known as antibiotic producers, is the dominant phylum of the community (37%, 20 OTUs). All sequences detected shared the maximal homology with unculturable microorganisms from freshwater habitats. The wide diversity of bacteria closely coexisting with the Baikal sponge indicate the complex ecological relationships in the community formed under the unique conditions of Lake Baikal.     

Characterization of eubacterial and archaeal community diversity in the pit mud of Chinese Luzhou-flavor liquor by nested PCR–DGGE

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the microbial community structures of eubacteria and archaea in the pit mud of Chinese Luzhou-flavor liquor from the wall (C_w) and bottom (C_b) of cellar through nested PCR–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The Shannon–Wiener index (H) calculated from the DGGE profiles showed that the community diversities of eubacteria and archaea in samples from C_b were almost higher than that from C_w. In addition, cluster analysis of the DGGE profiles revealed that some differences were found in the microbial community structure in samples from different locations. The closely relative microorganisms of all eubacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences fell into four phyla (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria), including 12 genera and 2 uncultured eubacteria. Moreover, 37.1 % eubacteria were affiliated with Clostridium. Particularly, genus Acinetobacter was absent in all samples from C_b but present in all samples from C_w. The closely relative microorganisms of all archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences fell into four genera, which included Methanobrevibacter, Methanoculleus, Methanobacterium and Methanosaeta, while the dominant archaea in samples from C_w and C_b were similar. Results presented in this study provide further understanding of the spatial differences in microbial community structure in the pit mud, and is of great importance for the production and quality improvement of Luzhou-flavor liquor.     

Characterization of Ni-resistant bacteria in the rhizosphere of the hyperaccumulator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alyssum murale</Emphasis> by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis

The diversity of 184 isolates from rhizosphere and bulk soil samples taken from the Ni hyperaccumulator Alyssum murale, grown in a Ni-rich serpentine soil, was determined by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Restriction digestion of the 16S rRNA gene was used to identify 44 groups. Representatives of each of these groups were placed within the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. By combining the 16S rRNA gene restriction data with the gene sequence analysis it was concluded that 44.6% (82/184) of the isolates were placed within the phylum Proteobacteria, among these 35.9% (66/184) were placed within the class α-Proteobacteria, and 20.7% (38/184) had 16S rRNA gene sequences indicative of bacteria within genera that form symbioses with legumes (rhizobia). Of the remaining isolates, 44.6% (82/184) and 5.4% (10/184) were placed within the phyla Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, respectively. No placement was obtained for a small number (10/184) of the isolates. Bacteria of the phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the most numerous within the rhizosphere of A. murale and represented 32.1% (59/184) and 42.9% (79/184) of all isolates, respectively. The approach of using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis in this study has enabled a comprehensive characterization of bacteria that predominate in the rhizosphere of A. murale growing in Ni-contaminated soil.     

Microbial diversity in the samples from archeological complexes of the Pazyryk culture (IV–III centuries BC) in northwestern Mongolia

Prokaryotes were analyzed in the samples of ice and soils collected by the joint Russian-German-Mongolian expedition (2006) at the site of archeological excavations of two Pazyryk culture mounds in the upper Olon-Kurin-Gol River on the southern slope of the Saylyugem Mountains, Mongolian Altai. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragments of the cultured bacteria revealed three major groups wide-spread in permafrost soils: Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria. Analysis of the total DNA from the samples revealed nonculturable bacteria of the phyla Alphaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatoidetes, Firmicutes, and CFB (Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacteroidetes) isolated from the samples of permafrost soils (Arctic, tundra, and from Tibet highlands), groundwater, and Arctic and Antarctic ice cores.     

Comparison of the Bacterial Composition and Structure in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Endodontic Infections Associated with Root-Filled Teeth Using Pyrosequencing

Residual microorganisms and/or re-infections are a major cause for root canal therapy failure. Understanding of the bacterial content could improve treatment protocols. Fifty samples from 25 symptomatic and 25 asymptomatic previously root-filled teeth were collected from Sudanese patients with periradicular lesions. Amplified 16S rRNA gene (V1-V2) variable regions were subjected to pyrosequencing (FLX 454) to determine the bacterial profile. Obtained quality-controlled sequences from forty samples were classified into 741 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at 3% dissimilarity, 525 at 5% dissimilarity and 297 at 10% dissimilarity, approximately corresponding to species-, genus- and class levels. The most abundant phyla were: Firmicutes (29.9%), Proteobacteria (26.1%), Actinobacteria (22.72%), Bacteroidetes (13.31%) and Fusobacteria (4.55%). Symptomatic patients had more Firmicutes and Fusobacteria than asymptomatic patients, while asymptomatic patients showed more Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Interaction of disease status and age was observed by two-way ANOSIM. Canonical correspondence analysis for age, tooth restoration and disease status showed a correlation of disease status with the composition and prevalence of different members of the microbial community. The pyrosequencing analysis revealed a distinctly higher diversity of the microbiota compared to earlier reports. The comparison of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients showed a clear association of the composition of the bacterial community with the presence and absence of symptoms in conjunction with the patients’ age.     

Phylogenetic Diversity of Bacteria Associated with the Marine Sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile

Molecular techniques were employed to document the microbial diversity associated with the marine sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile. The phylogenetic affiliation of sponge-associated bacteria was assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing of cloned DNA fragments. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to confirm the presence of the predominant groups indicated by 16S rDNA analysis. The community structure was extremely diverse with representatives of the Actinobacteria, low-G+C gram-positive bacteria, the β- and γ-subdivisions of the Proteobacteria, Cytophaga/Flavobacterium, green sulfur bacteria, green nonsulfur bacteria, planctomycetes, and other sequence types with no known close relatives. FISH probes revealed the spatial location of these bacteria within the sponge tissue, in some cases suggesting possible symbiotic functions. The high proportion of 16S rRNA sequences derived from novel actinomycetes is good evidence for the presence of an indigenous marine actinomycete assemblage in R. odorabile. High microbial diversity was inferred from low duplication of clones in a library with 70 representatives. Determining the phylogenetic affiliation of sponge-associated microorganisms by 16S rRNA analysis facilitated the rational selection of culture media and isolation conditions to target specific groups of well-represented bacteria for laboratory culture. Novel media incorporating sponge extracts were used to isolate bacteria not previously recovered from this sponge.     

Evaluation of the Phylogenetic Diversity of Prokaryotic Microorganisms in Sphagnum Peat Bogs by Means of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)

The microbial population of sphagnum peat bogs of northern Russia was analyzed with respect to the presence and cell numbers of representatives of particular phylogenetic groups of prokaryotes by means of in situ hybridization with fluorescently labeled group-specific rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes with broad detection spectra. The total number of cells that hybridized with universal Archaea- and Bacteria-specific probes varied, in peat samples of different bogs, from 45 to 83% of the number of cells revealed by DAPI staining. Down the bog profiles, the total number of prokaryotes and the fraction of archaea among them increased. Application of a set of oligonucleotide probes showed that the number of microorganisms belonging to such phylogenetic lineages of the domain Bacteria as the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, and Planctomycetes constituted, in total, 14.0–26.5% of the number of eubacteria detected in the samples. Among the bacteria identified in the peat samples, the most abundant were representatives of the classes Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria and the phyla Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria.     

Analysis of Actinobacteria from mould-colonized water damaged building material

Mould-colonized water damaged building materials are frequently co-colonized by actinomycetes. Here, we report the results of the analyses of Actinobacteria on different wall materials from water damaged buildings obtained by both cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent methods. Actinobacteria were detected in all but one of the investigated materials by both methods. The detected concentrations of Actinobacteria ranged between 1.8 × 10⁴ and 7.6 × 10⁷ CFU g^?1 of investigated material. A total of 265 isolates from 17 materials could be assigned to 31 different genera of the class Actinobacteria on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. On the basis of the cultivation-independent approach, 16S rRNA gene inserts of 800 clones (50%) were assigned to 47 different genera. Representatives of the genera Streptomyces, Amycolatopsis, Nocardiopsis, Saccharopolyspora, Promicromonospora, and Pseudonocardia were found most frequently. The results derived from both methods indicated a high abundance and variety of Actinobacteria in water damaged buildings. Four bioaerosol samples were investigated by the cultivation-based approach in order to compare the communities of Actinobacteria in building material and associated air samples. A comparison of the detected genera of bioaerosol samples with those directly obtained from material samples resulted in a congruent finding of 9 of the overall 35 detected genera (25%), whereas four genera were only detected in bioaerosol samples.     

Enzyme activities of aerobic lignocellulolytic bacteria isolated from wet tropical forest soils

Lignocellulolytic bacteria have promised to be a fruitful source of new enzymes for next-generation lignocellulosic biofuel production. Puerto Rican tropical forest soils were targeted because the resident microbes decompose biomass quickly and to near-completion. Isolates were initially screened based on growth on cellulose or lignin in minimal media. 75 Isolates were further tested for the following lignocellulolytic enzyme activities: phenol oxidase, peroxidase, β-d-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, β-xylopyranosidase, chitinase, CMCase, and xylanase. Cellulose-derived isolates possessed elevated β-d-glucosidase, CMCase, and cellobiohydrolase activity but depressed phenol oxidase and peroxidase activity, while the contrary was true of lignin isolates, suggesting that these bacteria are specialized to subsist on cellulose or lignin. Cellobiohydrolase and phenol oxidase activity rates could classify lignin and cellulose isolates with 61% accuracy, which demonstrates the utility of model degradation assays. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, all isolates belonged to phyla dominant in the Puerto Rican soils, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, suggesting that many dominant taxa are capable of the rapid lignocellulose degradation characteristic of these soils. The isolated genera Aquitalea, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Gordonia, and Paenibacillus represent rarely or never before studied lignolytic or cellulolytic species and were undetected by metagenomic analysis of the soils. The study revealed a relationship between phylogeny and lignocellulose-degrading potential, supported by Kruskal–Wallis statistics which showed that enzyme activities of cultivated phyla and genera were different enough to be considered representatives of distinct populations. This can better inform future experiments and enzyme discovery efforts.     

Diversity of the bacterial community in the rice rhizosphere managed under conventional and no-tillage practices

Bacterial diversity in the rice rhizosphere at different rice growth stages, managed under conventional and no-tillage practices, was explored using a culture-based approach. Actinobacteria are among the bacterial phyla abundant in the rice rhizosphere. Their diversity was further examined by constructing metagenomic libraries based on the 16S rRNA gene, using actinobacterial- and streptomycete-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers. The study included 132 culturable strains and 125 clones from the 16S rRNA gene libraries. In conventional tillage, there were 38% Proteobacteria, 22% Actinobacteria, 33% Firmicutes, 5% Bacteroidetes, and 2% Acidobacteria, whereas with no-tillage management there were 63% Proteobacteria, 24% Actinobacteria, 6% Firmicutes, and 8% Bacteroidetes as estimated using the culture-dependent method during the four stages of rice cultivation. Principal coordinates analysis was used to cluster the bacterial communities along axes of maximal variance. The different growth stages of rice appeared to influence the rhizosphere bacterial profile for both cultivation practices. Novel clones with low similarities (89–97%) to Actinobacteria and Streptomyces were retrieved from both rice fields by screening the 16S rRNA gene libraries using actinobacterial- and streptomycete-specific primers. By comparing the actinobacterial community retrieved by culture-dependent and molecular methods, it was clear that a more comprehensive assessment of microbial diversity in the rice rhizosphere can be obtained using a combination of both techniques than by using either method alone. We also succeeded in culturing a number of bacteria that were previously described as unculturable. These were in a phylogenetically deep lineage when compared with related cultivable genera.     

Bacilli community of saline–alkaline soils from the Ararat Plain (Armenia) assessed by molecular and culture-based methods

The bacterial community composition in the A horizon of a natural saline–alkaline soil located in Ararat Plain (Armenia) was studied using molecular and culture-based methods The sequence analysis of a 16S rRNA gene clone library and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles indicated dominance of Firmicutes populations. The majority of the sequences of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene library were close relatives of representatives belonging to the genera Halobacillus (41.2%), Piscibacillus (23.5%), Bacillus (23.5%) and Virgibacillus (11.8%). Eight novel moderately halophilic bacilli isolates were successfully obtained from the enriched cultures of the saline–alkaline soil samples. 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses of isolates revealed their affiliation (97.7–99.7% similarity) to representatives of the genera Bacillus, Piscibacillus and Halobacillus. All isolates were able to tolerate high concentrations of NaCl and highly alkaline conditions. This is the first study combining cultivation-independent and -dependent approaches to reveal the bacterial diversity of the saline–alkaline soils of Ararat Plain and it suggested an important role of bacilli as key microbes in biogeochemical cycles of these environments.     

Bacterial Community Diversity in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest Soils

The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial community diversity of the Brazilian Atlantic forest soil by means of both cultivation and 16S rRNA clone libraries. A collection of 86 representative isolates, obtained from six samples of Atlantic forest soils from the National Park of Serra dos Órgãos (PARNASO), belonged to the genera Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Burkholderia, Leifsonia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Serratia, and Streptomyces according to the 16S rRNA sequences. Representative isolates from the different genera degraded cellulose and lignin. The culture-independent analysis based on 894 partial 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the most frequently retrieved groups belonged to the phyla Acidobacteria (29–54%), Proteobacteria (16–38%), and Verrucomicrobia (0.6–14%). The majority of the sequences (82.6%) were unidentified singletons and doubletons, indicating a high diversity of rare unique sequences. Chao1 estimator disclosed a high number of phyla (41–152) and species (263–446). This is the first survey on the Atlantic Forest soils using a combination of cultivation and culture-independent approaches. We conclude that the Brazilian Atlantic Forest soil represents a vast source of novel bacteria.     

Comparing the bacterial diversity of acute and chronic dental root canal infections

This study performed barcoded multiplex pyrosequencing with a 454 FLX instrument to compare the microbiota of dental root canal infections associated with acute (symptomatic) or chronic (asymptomatic) apical periodontitis. Analysis of samples from 9 acute abscesses and 8 chronic infections yielded partial 16S rRNA gene sequences that were taxonomically classified into 916 bacterial species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs) (at 3% divergence) belonging to 67 genera and 13 phyla. The most abundant phyla in acute infections were Firmicutes (52%), Fusobacteria (17%) and Bacteroidetes (13%), while in chronic infections the dominant were Firmicutes (59%), Bacteroidetes (14%) and Actinobacteria (10%). Members of Fusobacteria were much more prevalent in acute (89%) than in chronic cases (50%). The most abundant/prevalent genera in acute infections were Fusobacterium and Parvimonas. Twenty genera were exclusively detected in acute infections and 18 in chronic infections. Only 18% (n = 165) of the OTUs at 3% divergence were shared by acute and chronic infections. Diversity and richness estimators revealed that acute infections were significantly more diverse than chronic infections. Although a high interindividual variation in bacterial communities was observed, many samples tended to group together according to the type of infection (acute or chronic). This study is one of the most comprehensive in-deep comparisons of the microbiota associated with acute and chronic dental root canal infections and highlights the role of diverse polymicrobial communities as the unit of pathogenicity in acute infections. The overall diversity of endodontic infections as revealed by the pyrosequencing technique was much higher than previously reported for endodontic infections.     

Profiling Bacterial Diversity and Taxonomic Composition on Speleothem Surfaces in Kartchner Caverns, AZ

Caves are relatively accessible subterranean habitats ideal for the study of subsurface microbial dynamics and metabolisms under oligotrophic, non-photosynthetic conditions. A 454-pyrotag analysis of the V6 region of the 16S rRNA gene was used to systematically evaluate the bacterial diversity of ten cave surfaces within Kartchner Caverns, a limestone cave. Results showed an average of 1,994 operational taxonomic units (97 % cutoff) per speleothem and a broad taxonomic diversity that included 21 phyla and 12 candidate phyla. Comparative analysis of speleothems within a single room of the cave revealed three distinct bacterial taxonomic profiles dominated by either Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, or Acidobacteria. A gradient in observed species richness along the sampling transect revealed that the communities with lower diversity corresponded to those dominated by Actinobacteria while the more diverse communities were those dominated by Proteobacteria. A 16S rRNA gene clone library from one of the Actinobacteria-dominated speleothems identified clones with 99 % identity to chemoautotrophs and previously characterized oligotrophs, providing insights into potential energy dynamics supporting these communities. The robust analysis conducted for this study demonstrated a rich bacterial diversity on speleothem surfaces. Further, it was shown that seemingly comparable speleothems supported divergent phylogenetic profiles suggesting that these communities are very sensitive to subtle variations in nutritional inputs and environmental factors typifying speleothem surfaces in Kartchner Caverns.     

Monitoring Bacterial Communities in Raw Milk and Cheese by Culture-Dependent and -Independent 16S rRNA Gene-Based Analyses

The diversity and dynamics of bacterial populations in Saint-Nectaire, a raw-milk, semihard cheese, were investigated using a dual culture-dependent and direct molecular approach combining single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) fingerprinting and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The dominant clones, among 125 16S rRNA genes isolated from milk, belonged to members of the Firmicutes (58% of the total clones) affiliated mainly with the orders Clostridiales and the Lactobacillales, followed by the phyla Proteobacteria (21.6%), Actinobacteria (16.8%), and Bacteroidetes (4%). Sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of 126 milk isolates collected from four culture media revealed the presence of 36 different species showing a wider diversity in the Gammaproteobacteria phylum and Staphylococcus genus than that found among clones. In cheese, a total of 21 species were obtained from 170 isolates, with dominant species belonging to the Lactobacillales and subdominant species affiliated with the Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes (Chryseobacterium sp.), or Gammaproteobacteria (Stenotrophomonas sp.). Fingerprinting DNA isolated from milk by SSCP analysis yielded complex patterns, whereas analyzing DNA isolated from cheese resulted in patterns composed of a single peak which corresponded to that of lactic acid bacteria. SSCP fingerprinting of mixtures of all colonies harvested from plate count agar supplemented with crystal violet and vancomycin showed good potential for monitoring the subdominant Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes (Flavobacteria) organisms in milk and cheese. Likewise, analyzing culturable subcommunities from cheese-ripening bacterial medium permitted assessment of the diversity of halotolerant Actinobacteria and Staphylococcus organisms. Direct and culture-dependent approaches produced complementary information, thus generating a more accurate view of milk and cheese microbial ecology.     

Bacterial diversity in Cr(VI) and Cr(III)-contaminated industrial wastewaters

The bacterial community structure of a chromium water bath, a chromium drainage waste system, a chromium pretreatment tank, and a trivalent chromium precipitation tank from the Hellenic Aerospace Industry S.A. was assessed using 16S rRNA libraries and a high-density DNA microarray (PhyloChip). 16S rRNA libraries revealed a bacterial diversity consisting of 14 distinct operational taxonomic units belonging to five bacterial phyla: Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. However, employing a novel microarray-based approach (PhyloChip), a high bacterial diversity consisting of 30 different phyla was revealed, with representatives of 181 different families. This made it possible to identify a core set of genera present in all wastewater treatment stages examined, consisting of members of Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Epsilonproteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. In the chromium pretreatment tank, where the concentration of Cr(VI) is high (2.3 mg/l), we identified the presence of Pseudomonadales, Actinomycetales, and Enterobacteriales in abundance. In the chromium precipitation tank, where the concentration of Cr(III) is high, the dominant bacteria consortia were replaced by members of Rhodocyclales and Chloroflexi. The bacterial community structure changed significantly with changes in the chromium concentration. This in-depth analysis should prove useful for the design and development of improved bioremediation strategies.     

Diversity of bacterial community in freshwater of Woopo wetland

Diversity of bacterial community in water layer of Woopo wetland was investigated. Cultivable bacterial strains were isolated by the standard dilution plating technique and culture-independent 16S rRNA gene clones were obtained directly from DNA extracts of a water sample. Amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) was applied onto both of the isolates and 16S rRNA gene clones. Rarefaction curves, coverage rate and diversity indices of ARDRA patterns were calculated. Representative isolates and clones of all the single isolate/clone phylotype were partially sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. Sixty-four and 125 phylotypes were obtained from 203 bacterial isolates and 235 culture-independent 16S rRNA gene clones, respectively. Bacterial isolates were composed of 4 phyla, of which Firmicutes (49.8%) and Actinobacteria (32.0%) were predominant. Isolates were affiliated with 58 species. Culture-independent 16S rRNA gene clones were composed of 8 phyla, of which Proteobacteria (62.2%), Actinobacteria (15.5%), and Bacteroidetes (13.7%) were predominant. Diversity of 16S rRNA gene clones originated from cultivation-independent DNA extracts was higher than that of isolated bacteria.