title: Assessing degradation capability of aerobic indigenous microflora in PAH-contaminated brackish sediments.
abstract: A study was conducted to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) distribution and microbial population changes in brackish sediments from an Italian lagoon included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. The presence and level of PAH-degrading bacteria were estimated by the most probable number (MPN) enumeration technique, whereas degradation capability towards target compounds was checked against loss of spiked PAHs (Phenanthrene, Anthracene and Fluoranthene) in MPN tubes after incubation in optimal conditions. Chemical analyses and microbiological counts suggested a potential for PAHs biodegradation by natural occurring populations of sediment microorganisms, thus indicating an "optimal range" in sediment PAHs concentrations, outside of which the natural selection of the indigenous microflora did not occur. The MPN procedure here described, provided an effective and reliable way to simultaneously determine microbial population densities and subsequent confirmation of the biodegradation capability of sediment indigenous microflora when exposed to laboratory and environmental concentrations of PAHs.
authors.affiliation: Centro Ricerche e Servizi Ambientali Fenice, via Ciro Menotti, 48 I-48023 Marina di Ravenna (RA), Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abbondanzi
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Campisi
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Focanti
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iacondini
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000254:growth & development*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D007558:Italy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical