F-RISA fungal clones as potential bioindicators of organic and metal contamination in soil.
OBJECTIVE
This work has examined the effects of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and selected toxic metals on fungal populations in a soil microcosm.


RESULTS
By using fungal ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (F-RISA) in combination with real-time PCR quantification, four fungi (D63P2-1, D63C2-1, D21Cu1-1 and D63Pb2-2) with specific primer pairs to each were successfully evaluated for their potential as bioindicators in response to pyrene, copper (Cu) and lead (Pb), supplied singly and in combination.


CONCLUSIONS
F-RISA coupled with real-time PCR is a useful approach for the identification of microorganisms with potential as bioindicators of organic and toxic metal contamination.


CONCLUSIONS
These bioindicators could be monitored for their population changes that may indicate pollutant-induced perturbations in a given system.
Hong
J W
JW
Division of Molecular Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
Fomina
M
M
Division of Molecular Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
Gadd
G M
GM
Division of Molecular Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK.
D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000737:chemistry; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*
D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; D008670:Metals; D011721:Pyrenes; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; C030984:pyrene