USE OF MICROBES FROM SEABIRD FAECES TO EVALUATE HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN ANTARCTIC REGION

Abstract. This study evaluates the levels of heavy metal pollution in Antarctic marine ecosystem by monitoring gut microbial flora of seabird skua (Catharacta spp). Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated from fresh faecal sample of skua were tested for their heavy metal tolerance and antibiotic res...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: S. Saikia, D. Saikia, Pw Ramteke
Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 2008
Subjects:
Antarctica
skua
gut microflora
heavy metals
Antarctic
Antarc*
Online Access:http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.525.8302
http://www.ecology.kee.hu/pdf/0603_021031.pdf
Description
Summary:Abstract. This study evaluates the levels of heavy metal pollution in Antarctic marine ecosystem by monitoring gut microbial flora of seabird skua (Catharacta spp). Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated from fresh faecal sample of skua were tested for their heavy metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance pattern. More than 50 % isolates were able to tolerate 200 g/ml concentration of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) and>80 % isolates showed resistance towards Bacitracin. More than 50% isolates were resistance to multiple antibiotics (MAR) and the the traits were found to be plasmid-borne in nature. The elevated rate of tolerance to the heavy metals reflects an adaptive response to the toxic metals present in marine environment.

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