title: Distribution of bacteria with nitrilotriacetate-degrading potential in an estuarine environment.
abstract: Attempts to isolate estaurine bacteria capable of metabolizing nitrilotriacetate (NTA) as a sole carbon source from areas within Escambia Bay, Fla., were unsuccessful; however, bacteria from freshwater streams and from estaurine surface microlayers were easily adapted to degradation of NTA in freshwater medium. A Pseudomonas sp. strain (ATCC 29600), capable of growth on NTA as a sole carbon source, metabolized NTA at a reduced rate in a saline medium (15%), compared with a freshwater medium (0 to 15%). Microorganisms capable of degrading NTA exist in estuarine surface microlayers and in fresh subsurface waters just before entering the estuary; these data indicate an interference with NTA catabolism by some unknown factors of the estuarine environment rather than an absence of potential NTA-degrading bacteria.
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism*; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005431:Florida; D005618:Fresh Water; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D012623:Seawater; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D005947:Glucose; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid