Using Real-Time PCR to Assess Changes in the Hydrocarbon-Degrading Microbial Community in Antarctic Soil During Bioremediation

• Published in: Microbial Ecology
• Main Authors: Powell, S, Ferguson, SH, Bowman, JP, Snape, I
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer New York LLC 2006
• Subjects: Biological Sciences; Microbiology; Microbial Ecology; Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-006-9131-z; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16944337; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/31830

A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to quantify the proportion of microorganisms containing alkane monooxygenase was developed and used to follow changes in the microbial community in hydrocarbon-contaminated Antarctic soil during a bioremediation field trial. Assays for the alkB and rpoB genes were validated and found to be both sensitive and reproducible (less than 2% intrarun variation and 25-38% interrun variation). Results from the real-time PCR analysis were compared to analysis of the microbial population by a culture-based technique [most probable number (MPN) counts]. Both types of analysis indicated that fertilizer addition to hydrocarbon-contaminated soil stimulated the indigenous bacterial population within 1 year. The proportion of alkB containing microorganisms was positively correlated to the concentration of n-alkanes in the soil. After the concentration of n-alkanes in the soil decreased, the proportion of alkane-degrading microorganisms decreased, but the proportion of total hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms increased, indicating another shift in the microbial community structure and ongoing biodegradation. 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.