Biomass of the cryptoendolithic microbiota from the Antarctic desert

Extractable lipid phosphate was used to determine the biomass of the cryptoendolithic microbiota that colonizes sandstone rocks in the Ross Desert region of Antarctica. The mean amount of lipid phosphate was 0.053 micromole/cm2 (n = 9), which equals 2.54 g of C per m2 (range, 1.92 to 3.26 g of C per m2) of biomass in the biotic zone of these rocks. The turnover of phospholipids was comparable to that of temperate sediments and soils (t1/2, 6 to 9 days) at 0 degrees C and a light intensity of 305 micromoles of photons per m2 per s, indicating that this was a good method to measure viable biomass. The biomass was 0.3 to 9.6% of the total carbon content of the biotic zone and was about 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the epilithic lichen dry weight at a location some 7 degrees north in latitude. The cryptoendolithic microbiota had a uniform density throughout the biotic zone under the rock surface. The results indicate that the cryptoendolithic microbial biomass is small but viable in this unique, extreme ecosystem.     

Carbon metabolism of the cryptoendolithic microbiota from the Antarctic desert.

The carbon metabolism of the cryptoendolithic microbiota of sandstones from the Ross Desert of Antarctica was studied in situ and in vitro. Organic and inorganic carbon compounds were metabolized by the microbiota, with bicarbonate incorporation into community lipids occurring primarily in the light. Light intensity affected the photometabolism of carbon with a photosynthesis-intensity response optimum at about 200 to 300 micromoles of photons per m2 per s. Photosynthesis was also affected by temperature, with a minimum activity at -5 degrees C, an optimum activity at 15 degrees C, and complete inhibition at 35 degrees C, indicating that the cryptoendolithic community was psychrophilic. The primary source of CO2 for photosynthesis in situ was the atmosphere. CO2 may also be photometabolized by using the carbon produced from respiration within the endolithic community. Photosynthesis occurred maximally when the microbiota was wet with liquid water and to a lesser extent in a humid atmosphere. This simple microbial community, therefore, exists under extremes of water, light, and temperature stress which affect and control its metabolism.     

Carbon metabolism of the cryptoendolithic microbiota from the Antarctic desert

The carbon metabolism of the cryptoendolithic microbiota of sandstones from the Ross Desert of Antarctica was studied in situ and in vitro. Organic and inorganic carbon compounds were metabolized by the microbiota, with bicarbonate incorporation into community lipids occurring primarily in the light. Light intensity affected the photometabolism of carbon with a photosynthesis-intensity response optimum at about 200 to 300 micromoles of photons per m2 per s. Photosynthesis was also affected by temperature, with a minimum activity at -5 degrees C, an optimum activity at 15 degrees C, and complete inhibition at 35 degrees C, indicating that the cryptoendolithic community was psychrophilic. The primary source of CO2 for photosynthesis in situ was the atmosphere. CO2 may also be photometabolized by using the carbon produced from respiration within the endolithic community. Photosynthesis occurred maximally when the microbiota was wet with liquid water and to a lesser extent in a humid atmosphere. This simple microbial community, therefore, exists under extremes of water, light, and temperature stress which affect and control its metabolism.     

Photosynthetic Carbon Incorporation and Turnover in Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Microbial Communities: Are They the Slowest-Growing Communities on Earth?

The main forms of terrestrial life in the cold, desolate Ross Desert of Antarctica are lichen-dominated or cyanobacterium-dominated cryptoendolithic (hidden in rock) microbial communities. Though microbial community biomass (as measured by extractable lipid phosphate) was well within the range of values determined for other microbial communities, community lipid carbon turnover times (calculated from community lipid biomass, rates of community photosynthetic carbon incorporation into lipids versus temperature, and the in situ temperature record) were among the longest on Earth (ca. 20,000 years). When the temperature is above freezing and moisture is present, moderate rates of photosynthesis can be measured. Lichen communities had a psychrophilic temperature response (maximal rate of 4.5 ng of C h^-1 m^-2 at 10°C) while cyanobacteria communities had maximal rates at 20 to 30°C (3 ng of C h^-1 m^-2). These extraordinarily slowly growing communities were not nutrient limited. No significant changes in photosynthetic metabolism were observed upon additions of 100 nM to 1 mM nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, and manganese. These simple, tenacious microbial communities demonstrate strategies of survival under conditions normally considered too extreme for life.     

Effects of Grazing by Estuarine Gammaridean Amphipods on the Microbiota of Allochthonous Detritus

Estuarine gammaridean amphipods grazing at natural population density on detrital microbiota affected the microbial community composition, biomass, and metabolic activity without affecting the physical structure of the leaves. Total microbial biomass estimated by adenosine triphosphate and lipid phosphate or observed by scanning electron microscopy was greater on grazed than on ungrazed detritus. The rates of oxygen consumption, poly-β-hydroxybutyrate synthesis, total lipid biosynthesis, and release of ¹⁴CO₂ from radioactively prelabeled microbiota were higher on grazed than on ungrazed leaves, indicating stimulation of the metabolic activity of grazed detrital microbes. This was true with rates based either on the dry leaf weight or microbial biomass. Alkaline phosphatase activity was lower in the grazed system, consistent with enhanced inorganic phosphate cycling. The loss of ¹⁴C from both total lipid and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate of microorganisms prelabeled with ¹⁴C was greater from grazed than ungrazed microbes. There was a faster decrease in the ¹⁴C-glycolipid than in the ¹⁴C-neutral lipid or ¹⁴C-phospholipid fractions. Analysis of specific phospholipids showed losses of the metabolically stable [¹⁴C]glycerolphosphorylcholine derived from phosphatidylcholine and much more rapid metabolism of the bacterial lipid phosphatidylglycerol measured as [¹⁴C]glycerolphosphorylglycerol with amphipod grazing. The biochemical data supported scanning electron microscopy observations of a shift as the grazing proceeded from a bacterial/fungal community to one dominated by bacteria.     

Outdoor and indoor cultivation of Spirulina platensis in the extreme south of Brazil

Water supplemented with 10% or 20% (v/v) of Zarrouk medium was used to cultivate Spirulina platensis in closed and open bioreactors under controlled conditions (30 degrees C, 32.5 micromol m(-2) s(-1), 12 h light/dark photoperiod) and in a greenhouse (9.4 to 46 degrees C, up to 2800 micromol m(-2) s(-1), variable day length photoperiod) using different initial biomass concentrations (X0) in the extreme south of Brazil (32.05 degrees S, 52.11 degrees W). Under controlled conditions the maximum specific growth rate (micromax) was 0.102 d(-1), the biomass doubling time (t(d)) was 6.8 d, the maximum dry biomass concentration (Xmax) was 1.94 g L(-1) and the maximum productivity (Pmax) was 0.059 g L(-)1 d(-1), while the corresponding values in the greenhouse experiments were micromax = 0.322 d(-1), t(d) = 2.2 d, Xmax = 1.73 g L(-1) and Pmax = 0.112 g L(-1) d(-1). Under controlled conditions the highest values for these parameters occurred when X0 = 0.15 g L(-1), while in the greenhouse X0 = 0.4 g L(-1) produced the highest values. These results show that the cultivation of S. platensis in greenhouses in the extreme south of Brazil is technically viable and that the S. platensis inoculum and the concentration of Zarrouk medium can be combined in such a way as to obtain growth and productivity parameters comparable, or superior, to those occurring in bioreactors under controlled conditions of temperature, illuminance and photoperiod.     

Hemichloris antarctica, gen. et sp. nov. (Chlorococcales, Chlorophyta), a cryptoendolithic alga from Antarctica

Hemichloris antarctica gen. et sp. nov. (Oocystaceae, Chlorococcales) is characterized by a single, articulated, pyrenoid-less, thick saucer-shaped chloroplast, which generally fills less than half of the cell periphery. Multiplication is only by autospores. The species is psychrophilic and is damaged at temperatures above 20 degree C. Hemichloris antarctica is a member of the cryptoendolithic microbial community living in porous sandstone rocks of the Antarctica cold desert. It inhabits the zone below that of cryptoendolithic lichens and survives at extremely low light intensities. In the natural habitat, morphology is somewhat different from that in culture, as chloroplasts are smaller and without articulation, and the cells develop a gelatinous sheath.     

Removal of copper ions by the filamentous fungus, Rhizopus oryzae from aqueous solution

Removal of heavy metals present in wastewaters has been a major concern due to their non-biodegradability and toxicity. Removal of copper ion using NaOH treated Rhizopus oryzae biomass was investigated in a batch reactor. The copper uptake exhibited substantial enhancement both in terms of kinetics of uptake as well as the loading capacity. The copper biosorption by viable and pretreated fungal biomass fit well to a Lagergren's pseudo second order reaction in comparison to pseudo first order kinetics. Investigation on effect of pH indicated improved performance in the range of pH 4-6 in alkali treated biomass. Copper uptake exhibited by viable biomass was highest at 21 degrees C, unlike pretreated biomass that showed maximum uptake across the range of temperature 21-55 degrees C. The maximum copper loading capacity of the viable and pretreated biomass according to Langmuir isotherm was 19.4 and 43.7 mg/g, respectively. Distribution coefficient of pretreated biomass showed improvement at lower residual concentration, indicating a change in the nature of binding by the treated biomass. Copper uptake decreased with an increasing dose of biosorbent, although enhancement in the total metal ion removal was observed at higher dose.     

The structure and biogeochemical activity of the phototrophic communities from the Bol'sherechenskii alkaline hot spring

Microbial communities growing in the bed of the alkaline, sulfide hot spring Bol'sherechenskii (the Baikal rift area) were studied over many years (1986-2001). The effluent water temperature ranged from 72 to 74 degrees C, pH was from 9.25 to 9.8, and sulfide content was from 12 to 13.4 mg/ml. Simultaneous effects of several extreme factors restrict the spread of phototrophic microorganisms. Visible microbial fouling appears with a decrease in the temperature to 62 degrees C and in the sulfide content to 5.9 mg/l. Cyanobacteria predominated in all biological zones of the microbial mat. The filamentous cyanobacteria of the genus Phormidium are the major mat-forming organisms, whereas unicellular cyanobacteria and the filamentous green bacterium Chloroflexus aurantiacus are minor components of the phototrophic communities. No cyanobacteria of the species Mastigocladus laminosus, typical of neutral and subacid springs, were identified. Seventeen species of both anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria and cyanobacteria were isolated from the microbial mats, most of which exhibited optimum growth at 20 to 45 degrees C. The anoxygenic phototrophs were neutrophiles with pH optimum at about 7. The cyanobacteria were the most adapted to the alkaline conditions in the spring. Their optimum growth was observed at pH 8.5-9.0. As determined by the in situ radioisotope method, the optimal growth and decomposition rates were observed at 40-32 degrees C, which is 10 to 15 degrees C lower than the same parameter in the sulfide-deficient Octopus Spring (Yellowstone, United States). The maximum chlorophyll a concentration was 555 mg/m2 at 40 degrees C. Total rate of photosynthesis in the mats reached 1.3 g C/m2 per day. The maximum rate of dark fixation of carbon dioxide in the microbial mats was 0.806 g C/m2 per day. The maximum rate of sulfate reduction comprised 0.367 g S/m2 per day at 40 degrees C. The rate of methanogenesis did not exceed 1.188 micrograms C/m2 per day. The role of methanogenesis in the terminal decomposition of the organic matter was insignificant. Methane formation consumed 100 times less organic matter than sulfate reduction.     

Biogeochemical processes in the algal-bacterial mats of the Urinskii alkaline hot spring

The structure and production characteristics of microbial communities from the Urinskii alkaline hot spring (Buryat Republic, Russia) have been investigated. A distinctive characteristic of this hot spring is the lack of sulfide in the issuing water. The water temperature near the spring vents ranged from 69 to 38.5 degrees C and pH values ranged from 8.8 to 9.2. The total mineralization of water was less than 0.1 g/liter. Temperature has a profound effect on the species composition and biogeochemical processes occurring in the algal-bacterial mats of the Urinskii hot spring. The maximum diversity of the phototrophic community was observed at the temperatures 40 and 46 degrees C. A total of 12 species of cyanobacteria, 4 species of diatoms, and one species of thermophilic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria, Chloroflexus aurantiacus, have been isolated from mat samples. At temperatures above 40 degrees C, the filamentous cyanobacterium Phormidium laminosum was predominant; its cell number and biomass concentration were 95.1 and 63.9%, respectively. At lower temperatures, the biomass concentrations of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limosa and diatoms increased (50.2 and 36.4%, respectively). The cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus, which is normally found in neutral or slightly acidic hydrothermal systems, was detected in microbial communities. As the diatom concentration increases, so does the dry matter concentration in mats, while the content of organic matter decreases. The concentrations of proteins and carbohydrates reached their maximum levels at 45-50 degrees C. The maximum average rate of oxygenic photosynthesis (2.1 g C/m2 day), chlorophyll a content (343.4 mg/m2), and cell number of phototrophic microorganisms were observed at temperatures from 45 to 50 degrees C. The peak mass of bacterial mats (56.75 g/m2) occurred at a temperature of 65-60 degrees C. The maximum biomass concentration of phototrophs (414.63 x 10(-6) g/ml) and the peak rate of anoxygenic photosynthesis [0.42 g C/(m2 day)] were observed at a temperature of 35-40 degrees C.     

Microbial community structure and biomass estimates of a methanogenic Antarctic Lake ecosystem as determined by phospholipid analyses

Phospholipid analyses were performed on water column particulate and sediment samples from Ace Lake, a meromictic lake in the Vestfold Hills, Antarctica, to estimate the viable microbial biomass and community structure in the lake. In the water column, methanogenic bacterial phospholipids were present below 17 m in depth at concentrations which converted to a biomass of between 1 and 7×10⁸ cells/liter. Methanogenic biomass in the sediment ranged from 17.7×10⁹ cells/g dry weight of sediment at the surface to 0.1×10⁹ cells/g dry weight at 2 m in depth. This relatively high methanogenic biomass implies that current microbial degradation of organic carbon in Ace Lake sediments may occur at extremely slow rates. Total microbial biomass increased from 4.4×10⁸ cells/ liter at 2 m in depth to 19.4×10⁸ cells/liter at 23 m, near the bottom of the water column. Total nonarchaebacterial biomass decreased from 4.2 ×10⁹ cells/g dry weight in the surface sediment (1/4 the biomass of methanogens) to 0.06×10⁸ cells/g dry weight at 2 m in depth in the sediment. Phospholipid fatty acid profiles showed that microeukaryotes were the major microbial group present in the oxylimnion of the lake, while bacteria dominated the lower, anoxic zone. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) comprised 25% of the microbial population at 23 m in depth in the water column particulates and were present in the surface sediment but to a lesser extent. Biomass estimates and community structure of the Ace Lake eco-system are discussed in relation to previously measured metabolic rates for this and other antarctic and temperate ecosystems. This is the first instance, to our knowledge, in which the viable biomass of methanogenic and SRB have been estimated for an antarctic microbial community.     

Production of biomass and nutraceutical compounds by Spirulina platensis under different temperature and nitrogen regimes

The cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis has been used by humans because of its nutritional and possibly medicinal effects. Our study evaluated the influence of temperature and nitrogen concentration in the medium on the production of biomass by this cyanobacterium and the biomass composition in protein, lipid and phenolic compounds. We found that at 35 degrees C there was a negative effect on biomass production but a positive effect on the production of protein, lipids and phenolics, the highest levels of these compounds being obtained in Zarrouk's medium containing 1.875 or 2.500 g l(-1) sodium nitrate. Higher biomass densities and productivity were obtained at 30 degrees C than at 35 degrees C, but nitrogen concentration appeared to have no effect on the amount of protein, lipid or phenolics, indicating that at 30 degrees C the concentration of sodium nitrate in Zarrouk's medium (2.50 g l(-1)) can be reduced without loss of productivity, an important cost-saving factor in large-scale cultivation.     

Growth and reduction of microorganisms in sediments collected from a greywater treatment system

AIMS: To study the effects of competitive microbiota, temperature and nutrient availability on Salmonella, Enterococcus, Campylobacter spores of sulphite reducing anaerobes and bacteriophages MS2 and phiX174 in sediments from a greywater treatment system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Standard culture methods were used. Bacteria died off rapidly under normal conditions (20 degrees C, competitive microbiota) but remained stable or grew in the other conditions studied. When the sediments became nutrient depleted after 2 weeks, a log-linear die-off was observed for Salmonella, which was higher at 20 degrees C than at 4 degrees C. Bacteriophage decay was shown to be log-linear from day 0, with T90 values ranging from 9 (phiX174, 20 degrees C) to 55 days (phiX174, 4 degrees C). The MS2 phage had a significantly higher decay rate in tyndallized sediments (T90 = 17 days) than in original sediments (T90 = 47 days) (P < 0.001), with temperature not shown to affect the decay rate. Spores of sulphite-reducing anaerobes were not significantly reduced during the study period (35 days). Campylobacter died-off rapidly or entered a viable but non-culturable state and subsequently results were not provided. CONCLUSIONS: Competition was the most important factor to suppress pathogenic bacterial growth in an eutrophic environment. When nutrient depleted conditions prevailed, temperature was more important and log-linear decay of microorganisms could be observed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings suggest that the normally occurring microbiota will suppress pathogenic bacterial growth in nutrient rich sediments. With lower nutrient status, temperature is the more important factor in reducing pathogens.     

Long-term productivity in the cryptoendolithic microbial community of the Ross Desert,Antarctica

Annual gross productivity of the lichen-dominated cryptoendolithic community was calculated from a computer analysis of photosynthetic response based on laboratory measurements of C0₂ exchange and three years (1985–1988) of field nanoclimate data. Photosynthetic optimum increased from –3 to 2°C between irradiance levels of 100 and 1500 mol photons m^–2 s^–1, while the upper compensation point rose from 1 to 17°C. The mean yearly total time available for metabolic activity (temperature above –10°C and moisture present) was 771.3 h for horizontal rock, 421.5 h for northeast-oriented sloped rock, and 1042.2 h for a small depression in horizontal rock (the characteristic site of occasional lichen apothecia). The calculated mean gross productivity value for a horizontal rock was 1215 mg C m^–2 y^–1, and net photosynthetic gain was 606 mg C m^–2 y^–1. Net ecosystem productivity (annual accretion of cellular biomass) estimated from long-term events amounted to only about 3 mg C m^–2 y^–1. The difference between these two values may represent the long-term metabolic costs of the frequent dehydration-rehydration and freezing-thawing cycles or of overwintering, and may account for the leaching of organic substances to the rock.The yearly gross productivity of the cryptoendolithic microbial community of the entire Ross Desert area was estimated at approximately 120,000–180,000 kg C. Of this, 600–900 kg C is in microbial biomass, and much of the rest is soluble compounds that leach into the rocks and possibly percolate to the valleys, providing a source of organic matter for lakes, rivers, and soils. Offprint requests to: E. I. Friedmann.     

不同培养基及组成对2种小球藻生长和油脂的影响

研究了4种培养基及组成对蛋白核小球藻F-9和普通小球藻HYS-2的生长、油脂积累和脂肪酸组成的影响。结果发现knop、Provasoli、f/2、MAV 4种培养基中,f/2培养基更有利于小球藻的快速生长,而MAV培养基更适合油脂积累。在f/2培养基中F-9和HYS-2相对生长速率分别为0.156和0.171,培养9 d细胞干重为0.188 g/L和0.195 g/L。而在MAV培养基中F-9油脂含量最高可达19.67%,HYS-2油脂含量最高为21.91%,脂肪酸最高分别占干重的5.11%和8.71%。N/P为16∶1时小球藻生长最快,培养9 d后F-9和HYS-2的相对生长速率分别为0.23和0.239,最终细胞干重分别为0.107 g/L和0.143 g/L。而F-9和HYS-2在N/P为1∶1条件下积累油脂和脂肪酸含量最高,总脂含量分别占干重的为20.40%和27.39%,总脂肪酸占藻粉干重的含量为12.52%和16.94%。     

Growth and development of extreme-thermophilic bacteria at 70 degrees]

Nine cultures of non-sporeforming gram-negative extreme-thermophilic bacterium Thermus flavus have been isolated from hot springs of Kamchatka. Their optimal growth temperature on a solid potato medium was 70 to 76 degrees C, and on a liquid medium (20 per cent potato broth containing 0.5 per cent peptone and 0.1 per cent yeast extract) 70 degrees C. The minimum time of generation of the bacterium, strain 71, growing on the liquid medium at 70 degrees C, was 52 minutes. Other extreme-thermophilic cultures differ from the strain 71 by a lower growth rate. The maximum biomass yield was 1.96 g per litre of the medium after 6 to 9 hours of growth. The extreme-thermophilic bacteria of Kamchatka are similar to those from the hot springs of Japan.     

Reshaping of sandstone surfaces by cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria: bioalkalization causes chemical weathering in arid landscapes

We report a novel weathering mechanism in South African sandstone formations, where cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria induce weathering by substrate alkalization during photosynthesis. As a result, the upper rock part is loosened and then eroded away by physical forces such as wind, water, trampling. This special type of ‘exfoliation’ is widely distributed and affects the geomorphology of whole sandstone mountain ranges and outcrops across several biomes. We show, that this weathering type is initiated by bioalkalization because of the photosynthesis of cryptoendolithic (i.e. those organisms living in small tight open spaces between the sand grains) cyanobacteria causing pH values high enough to enhance silica solution in the cryptoendolithic zone. As modern cyanobacteria are the initial photoautotrophic colonizers of bare rocks in arid and semiarid landscapes, it is possible that they may also have played a significant role in shaping sandstone landscapes in the geological past.     

Effects of Environmental Toxicants on Metabolic Activity of Natural Microbial Communities

Two methods of measuring microbial activity were used to study the effects of toxicants on natural microbial communities. The methods were compared for suitability for toxicity testing, sensitivity, and adaptability to field applications. This study included measurements of the incorporation of ¹⁴C-labeled acetate into microbial lipids and microbial glucosidase activity. Activities were measured per unit biomass, determined as lipid phosphate. The effects of various organic and inorganic toxicants on various natural microbial communities were studied. Both methods were useful in detecting toxicity, and their comparative sensitivities varied with the system studied. In one system, the methods showed approximately the same sensitivities in testing the effects of metals, but the acetate incorporation method was more sensitive in detecting the toxicity of organic compounds. The incorporation method was used to study the effects of a point source of pollution on the microbiota of a receiving stream. Toxic doses were found to be two orders of magnitude higher in sediments than in water taken from the same site, indicating chelation or adsorption of the toxicant by the sediment. The microbiota taken from below a point source outfall was 2 to 100 times more resistant to the toxicants tested than was that taken from above the outfall. Downstream filtrates in most cases had an inhibitory effect on the natural microbiota taken from above the pollution source. The microbial methods were compared with commonly used bioassay methods, using higher organisms, and were found to be similar in ability to detect comparative toxicities of compounds, but were less sensitive than methods which use standard media because of the influences of environmental factors.     

Growth and lipid accumulation properties of a freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. under different cultivation temperature

Microalgal lipid is a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Effect of cultivation temperature on the growth and lipid accumulation properties of a freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. LX1 was studied. Scenedesmus sp. LX1 could grow in a wide range of temperature (10～30°C), and the growth activation energy was 49.3 kJ·mol(-1). The optimal temperature to produce microalgal biomass and lipid was 20°C, and after 15 days of batch cultivation the productivities of 313.3 g biomass·(g P)(-1), 112 g lipid (g P)(-1) and 14.7 g TAGs·(g P)(-1) were obtained. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased with the increase of cultivation temperature. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels at 10°C and 20°C were higher than that under higher temperature. For the first time the cultivation temperature, ROS level, specific growth rate and lipid content per microalgal biomass were correlated together.     

一株柠条内生解磷菌的分离鉴定及实时荧光定量PCR检测

结合形态观察与16S rDNA序列测定对柠条根系内分离筛选得到的解磷细菌C9进行鉴定,Blast比对结果表明C9为泛菌(Pantoea vagans).在无机磷液体培养基培养条件下,用钼锑抗比色法研究它的解磷能力.结果表明,随着时间的延长,培养液中速效磷含量逐渐增加到4.45mg/L,溶液pH可降至4.2.进一步利用实时荧光定量PCR检测柠条根系中、柠条根际土壤与柠条根围土壤中该细菌存在的相对基因拷贝数,结果发现该基因在3种样品中的数量为:柠条根系＞柠条根际土壤＞柠条根围土壤,表明泛菌解磷细菌能聚集生长在柠条根系内,随着与根系接触距离的增加而呈逐级递减趋势.