Open AccessImpact of chlorophenols on microbiota of an unpolluted acidic soil: microbial resistance and biodegradation
Author(s) -
Caliz Joan,
Vila Xavier,
Martí Esther,
Sierra Jordi,
Cruañas Robert,
Garau M. Antonia,
Montserrat Genoveva
Publication year - 2011
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.1574-6941.2011.01093.x
Subject(s) - microcosm , pentachlorophenol , biology , bioavailability , microbial population biology , environmental chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , bacillus circulans , microorganism , food science , pollutant , chlorophenol , incubation , biodegradation , bacteria , chemistry , ecology , biochemistry , pharmacology , genetics , phenol , organic chemistry
The impact of 2‐monochlorophenol (MCP), 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) on the microbial community of an acidic forest soil was studied under controlled laboratory conditions by spiking microcosms with the pollutants at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 5000 mg kg −1 . A decrease in the cumulative respirometric values and changes in the bacterial and fungal community composition were detected at 1000 mg MCP kg −1 , 100 mg TCP kg −1 and 100 and 1000 mg PCP kg −1 . However, drastic effects on the microbial community were revealed only at higher concentrations of MCP and TCP, although the toxicity of PCP was expected to be stronger. The acidic condition of the soil presumably reduces bioavailability of PCP, leading to less pronounced effects than the other pollutants. This finding highlights the consideration of pollutant bioavailability in each environment to adequately assess contamination effects. Twenty‐two different chlorophenol‐resistant and potentially degrading microorganisms were isolated from highly polluted microcosms. The most resistant isolates were related to Burkholderia arboris, Bacillus circulans, Paenibacillus taichungensis, Luteibacter rhizovicina and Janibacter melonis . These isolates also showed the capacity to reduce the concentration of TCP or PCP between 15% and 35% after 5 days of incubation (initial concentration of 50 mg L −1 ). The isolate related to B. circulans is an atypical case of a member of the Firmicutes group for which chlorophenol‐degrading capacities have been described.