Microbial community analysis of perchlorate-reducing cultures growing on zero-valent iron.
Anaerobic microbial mixed cultures demonstrated its ability to completely remove perchlorate in the presence of zero-valent iron. In order to understand the major microbial reaction in the iron-supported culture, community analysis comprising of microbial fatty acids and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) techniques was performed for perchlorate reducing cultures. Analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and subsequent principal component analysis (PCA) showed clear distinctions not only between iron-supported perchlorate reducing culture and seed bacteria, but also among perchlorate-reducing cultures receiving different electron donors. The DGGE pattern targeting the chlorite dismutase (cld) gene showed that iron-supported perchlorate reducing culture is similar to hydrogen-fed cultures as compared to acetate-fed culture. The phylogenetic tree suggested that the dominant microbial reaction may be a combination of the autotrophic and heterotrophic reduction of perchlorate. Both molecular and chemotaxonomic experimental results support further understanding in the function of zero-valent iron as an adequate electron source for enhancing the microbial perchlorate reduction in natural and engineered systems.
Department of Civil Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States. ason@auburn.edu
Ahjeong
A
Son
Carl J
CJ
Schmidt
Hyejin
H
Shin
Daniel K
DK
Cha
D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D019149:Bioreactors; D017931:DNA Primers; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D007501:Iron; D010472:Perchlorates / Q000378:metabolism*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D025341:Principal Component Analysis
D017931:DNA Primers; D010472:Perchlorates; D007501:Iron