Two naphthalene degrading bacteria belonging to the genera Paenibacillus and Pseudomonas isolated from a highly polluted lagoon perform different sensitivities to the organic and heavy metal contaminants.
Two bacterial strains were isolated in the presence of naphthalene as the sole carbon and energy source from sediments of the Orbetello Lagoon, Italy, which is highly contaminated with both organic compounds and metals. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the two isolates assigned the strains to the genera Paenibacillus and Pseudomonas. The effect of different contaminants on the growth behaviors of the two strains was investigated. Pseudomonas sp. ORNaP2 showed a higher tolerance to benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene than Paenibacillus sp. ORNaP1. In addition, the toxicity of heavy metals potentially present as co-pollutants in the investigated site was tested. Here, strain Paenibacillus sp. ORNaP1 showed a higher tolerance towards arsenic, cadmium, and lead, whereas it was far more sensitive towards mercury than strain Pseudomonas sp. ORNaP2. These differences between the Gram-negative Pseudomonas and the Gram-positive Paenibacillus strain can be explained by different general adaptive response systems present in the two bacteria.
Pepi
Milva
M
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.
Lobianco
Arianna
A
Renzi
Monia
M
Perra
Guido
G
Bernardini
Emanuele
E
Marvasi
Massimiliano
M
Gasperini
Simone
S
Volterrani
Margherita
M
Franchi
Enrica
E
Heipieper
Hermann J
HJ
Focardi
Silvano E
SE
D001483:Base Sequence; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D007558:Italy; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000633:toxicity; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D010802:Phylogeny; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity
D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C031721:naphthalene