Diversity and spatial distribution of metalreducing bacterial assemblages in groundwaters of different redox conditions

Authors

  • Gian M. Luna Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
  • Antonio Dell’Anno Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
  • Cinzia Corinaldesi Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
  • Monica Armeni EcoTechSystems Ltd, Ancona, Italy
  • Roberto Danovaro Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Keywords:

Geobacteraceae, metal-reducing bacteria, manganese-iron in aquifers, groundwater

Abstract

The spatial distribution and diversity of metal-reducing bacterial assemblages belonging to Geobacteraceae were studied in groundwaters with different physicochemical characteristics by means of terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) molecular fingerprinting, as applied to the 16S rRNA gene. The physicochemical conditions of these environments were unfavorable to support active-metal-reducing processes. The highest diversity of Geobacteraceae was observed in groundwater samples characterized by the highest dissolved Fe and Mn concentrations. T-RFLP analyses revealed major differences in the Geobacteraceae ribotype diversity and community composition of the groundwater samples as well as a considerable variability and spatial turnover of Geobacteraceae assemblages. Results from this work suggest that changes in the physicochemical characteristics of the aquifer deeply influence the richness and community structure of Geobacteraceae, even in those systems in which metal-reduction processes are not dominant. [Int Microbiol 2009; 12(3):153-159]

Author Biographies

Gian M. Luna, Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Antonio Dell’Anno, Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Cinzia Corinaldesi, Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Monica Armeni, EcoTechSystems Ltd, Ancona, Italy

EcoTechSystems Ltd, Ancona, Italy

Roberto Danovaro, Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Department of Marine Sciences, Marine Biology Section, Faculty of Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy

Downloads

Published

2010-01-14

Issue

Section

Research Articles