RESUMO
AIMS: Microcosm experiments simulating an oil spill event were performed to evaluate the response of the natural microbial community structure of Messina harbour seawater following the accidental load of petroleum. METHODS AND RESULTS: An experimental harbour seawater microcosm, supplemented with nutrients and crude oil, was monitored above 15 days in comparison with unpolluted ones (control microcosms). Bacterial cells were counted with a Live/Dead BacLight viability kit; leucine aminopeptidase, beta-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, lipase and esterase enzymes were measured using fluorogenic substrates. The microbial community dynamic was monitored by isolation of total RNA, RT-PCR amplification of 16S rRNA, cloning and sequencing. Oil addition stimulated an increase of the total bacterial abundance, leucine aminopeptidase and phosphatase activity rates, as well as a change in the community structure. This suggested a prompt response of micro-organisms to the load of petroleum hydrocarbons. CONCLUSIONS: The present study on the viability, specific composition and metabolic characteristics of the microbial community allows a more precise assessment of oil pollution. Both structural and functional parameters offer interesting perspectives as indicators to monitor changes caused by petroleum hydrocarbons. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: A better knowledge of microbial structural successions at oil-polluted sites is essential for environmental bioremediation. Data obtained in microcosm studies improve our understanding of natural processes occurring during oil spills.
Assuntos
Desastres , Petróleo/toxicidade , Água do Mar/microbiologia , Microbiologia da Água , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Alcanivoraceae/classificação , Alcanivoraceae/enzimologia , Alcanivoraceae/isolamento & purificação , Biodegradação Ambiental , Contagem de Colônia Microbiana/métodos , Processos Heterotróficos/fisiologia , Hidrocarbonetos/química , Hidrocarbonetos/toxicidade , Leucil Aminopeptidase/metabolismo , Oxigênio/metabolismo , Monoéster Fosfórico Hidrolases/metabolismo , Filogenia , Proteobactérias/classificação , Proteobactérias/enzimologia , Proteobactérias/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
A total of 42 vibrio strains isolated from sewage, together with 7 culture collection strains were studied by numerical taxonomy. A simplified clustering is shown in Fig. 1. Two important phena were determined. Phenon 1, identified as V. cholerae non-01, formed at 0.90
S, contains 32 sewage strains and 2 reference strains. Phenon 2, identified as V. metschnikovii, formed at 0.85
S, contains 5 sewage strains. No typical marine vibrio species were isolated. The phenotypic characteristics of 2 phena are shown in Table 2. All V. cholerae non-01 were haemolytic, proteolytic and lipolytic. They also showed some phenotypic characteristics (degradation of esculin, 81.2
), and growth in NaCl 6
. According to literature references, the survival of V. cholerae non-01 in Mar del Plata marine environment is possible.