title: Response of microbial populations to environmental disturbance.
abstract: Taxonomic and genetic diversities of microbial communities disturbed by chemical pollutants were lower than in undisturbed reference communities. The dominant populations within the disturbed communities had enhanced physiological tolerances and substrate utilization capabilities, indicating that generalized physiological versatility is an adaptive characteristic of populations that successfully compete within disturbed communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Louisville, 40292, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Atlas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horowitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krichevsky
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Bej