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Pyrosequencing reveals correlations between extremely acidophilic bacterial communities with hydrogen sulphide concentrations, pH and inert polymer coatings at concrete sewer crown surfaces
Author(s) -
Pagaling E.,
Yang K.,
Yan T.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.12491
Subject(s) - corrosion , environmental chemistry , biofilm , pyrosequencing , chemistry , bacteria , materials science , metallurgy , biology , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Aims To investigate the acidophilic bacterial communities involved in microbially induced concrete corrosion ( MICC ). Methods and Results Our study sites located downstream from a forced main provided a unique opportunity to study the microbial communities involved in MICC under different environmental conditions (gradients of atmospheric H 2 S , sulphate concentration and p H ) and under pipe modifications (coated vs uncoated). Bacterial cell density estimated by both cultivation‐ and DNA ‐based methods was low in the corroded sewer samples. Pyrosequencing and cloning showed that M ycobacterium and A cidithiobacillus dominated the acidophilic microbial communities. M ethylacidiphilum was also dominant in samples where methane was detected. Correlation analysis indicated that M ycobacterium and A cidithiobacillus were significantly affected by pH and that M ycobacterium could better withstand highly acidic conditions compared to A cidithiobacillus . Conclusions Communities dominated by M ycobacterium favoured conditions in the lined sewer pipes, while communities with a higher relative abundance of A cidithiobacillus favoured the unlined sewer pipes. Significance and Impact of the Study Identifying the key micro‐organisms involved in MICC and knowing how they interact with their environment are essential aspects for identifying steps towards concrete corrosion management.