title: Comparison of RNA- and DNA-based bacterial communities in a lab-scale methane-degrading biocover.
abstract: Methanotrophs must become established and active in a landfill biocover for successful methane oxidation. A lab-scale biocover with a soil mixture was operated for removal of methane and nonmethane volatile organic compounds, such as dimethyl sulfide (DMS), benzene (B), and toluene (T). The methane elimination capacity was 211±40 g m(-2) d(-1) at inlet loads of 330-516 g m(-2) d(-1). DMS, B, and T were completely removed at the bottom layer (40-50 cm) with inlet loads of 221.6±92.2, 99.6±19.5, and 23.4±4.9 mg m(-2) d(-1), respectively. The bacterial community was examined based on DNA and RNA using ribosomal tag pyrosequencing. Interestingly, methanotrophs comprised 80% of the active community (RNA) while 29% of the counterpart (DNA). Types I and II methanotrophs equally contributed to methane oxidation, and Methylobacter, Methylocaldum, and Methylocystis were dominant in both communities. The DNA vs. RNA comparison suggests that DNA-based analysis alone can lead to a significant underestimation of active members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 120-750, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Gwan
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyung-Eun
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Jeonghee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Kyung-Suk
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001554:Benzene / Q000378:metabolism; D058448:Biota; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D056186:Metagenomics / Q000379:methods*; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013440:Sulfides / Q000378:metabolism; D014050:Toluene / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal; D013440:Sulfides; D014050:Toluene; D001554:Benzene; D008697:Methane; C004784:dimethyl sulfide