Open AccessDiversity of methyl halide‐degrading microorganisms in oceanic and coastal waters
Author(s) -
Cox Michael J.,
Schäfer Hendrik,
Nightingale Phillip D.,
McDonald Ian R.,
Murrell J. Colin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2012.02624.x
Subject(s) - microorganism , halide , diversity (politics) , oceanography , environmental chemistry , environmental science , ecology , chemistry , bacteria , biology , geology , genetics , organic chemistry , sociology , anthropology
Methyl halides have a significant impact on atmospheric chemistry, particularly in the degradation of stratospheric ozone. Bacteria are known to contribute to the degradation of methyl halides in the oceans and marine bacteria capable of using methyl bromide and methyl chloride as sole carbon and energy source have been isolated. A genetic marker for microbial degradation of methyl bromide ( cmuA ) was used to examine the distribution and diversity of these organisms in the marine environment. Three novel marine clades of cmuA were identified in unamended seawater and in marine enrichment cultures degrading methyl halides. Two of these cmuA clades are not represented in extant bacteria, demonstrating the utility of this molecular marker in identifying uncultivated marine methyl halide‐degrading bacteria. The detection of populations of marine bacteria containing cmuA genes suggests that marine bacteria employing the C mu A enzyme contribute to methyl halide cycling in the ocean.