Open AccessA Benthic Gradient Chamber for culturing phototrophic sulfur bacteria on reconstituted sediments
Author(s) -
Pringault Olivier,
Wit Rutger,
Caumette Pierre
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6941.1996.tb00322.x
Subject(s) - phototroph , benthic zone , sulfide , sulfur , anoxic waters , axenic , environmental chemistry , chemistry , bacteria , botany , photosynthesis , biology , ecology , paleontology , organic chemistry
The growth of phototrophic sulfur bacteria in benthic systems is restricted to well‐defined layers within the sedimentary oxygen, sulfide, pH and light gradients. In order to culture these microorganisms under more ecologically relevant conditions, we have developed a Benthic Gradient Chamber (BGC) in which phototrophic sulfur bacteria can be grown within experimentally imposed solute and light gradients. The new autoclavable device is composed of a reconstituted sand core sandwiched in between a lower anoxic sulfide‐containing compartment and an upper oxic compartment. The core can be illuminated from above by a collimated light beam. An axenic biofilm of Thiocapsa roseopersicina strain EP 2204 developed from a tiny inoculum within the sand core, using a 5‐week incubation period and a 16:8 h light/dark illumination regime. The metabolic activities in this biofilm were inferred from the analyses of oxygen, sulfide and pH profiles, and their shifts during light‐dark cycles.