title: Intrinsic bioremediation potential of a chronically polluted marine coastal area.
abstract: A microbiological survey of the Priolo Bay (eastern coast of Sicily, Ionian Sea), a chronically polluted marine coastal area, was carried out in order to discern its intrinsic bioremediation potential. Microbiological analysis, 16S rDNA-based DGGE fingerprinting and PLFAs analysis were performed on seawater and sediment samples from six stations on two transects. Higher diversity and variability among stations was detected by DGGE in sediment than in water samples although seawater revealed higher diversity of culturable hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria. The most polluted sediment hosted higher total bacterial diversity and higher abundance and diversity of culturable HC degraders. Alkane- and PAH-degrading bacteria were isolated from all stations and assigned to Alcanivorax, Marinobacter, Thalassospira, Alteromonas and Oleibacter (first isolation from the Mediterranean area). High total microbial diversity associated to a large selection of HC degraders is believed to contribute to natural attenuation of the area, provided that new contaminant contributions are avoided.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, blg. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.affiliation: Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR of Messina, Spianata San Raineri, 86, 98121 Messina, Italy; PhD School of "Cellular Biology and Biotechnology" University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Santina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santisi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Earth and Marine Sciences (DISTEM), University of Palermo, CoNISMa, Via Archirafi 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Geraldina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Signa
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Earth and Marine Sciences (DISTEM), University of Palermo, CoNISMa, Via Archirafi 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatrice
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vizzini
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Earth and Marine Sciences (DISTEM), University of Palermo, CoNISMa, Via Archirafi 22, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzola
authors.affiliation: Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR of Messina, Spianata San Raineri, 86, 98121 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cappello
authors.affiliation: Institute for Coastal Marine Environment (IAMC) - CNR of Messina, Spianata San Raineri, 86, 98121 Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Michail M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yakimov
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, blg. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy. Electronic address: paola.quatrini@unipa.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quatrini
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D044822:Biodiversity; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D058645:Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism; D059013:Microbial Consortia / Q000502:physiology*; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D012802:Sicily; D014876:Water Pollution
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D006838:Hydrocarbons
keywords: DGGE; Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria; Oleibacter; PLFA; Sediment bacteria