Trichloroethylene degradation by a type I methanotroph, Methylomonas methanica 68-1, and molecular analysis of the population dynamics in the two methanotrophic species competition
his study determines whether type I and II methanotroph specific DNA probes can specifically detect and monitor the relevant populations in a methanotrophic mixed culture that degrades TCE. A model mixed culture was composed of strain 68-1 (type I), isolated from a TCE-contaminated well and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b (type II). The putative sMMO DNA probe was successfully used to monitor the 68-1 population in the mixed culture containing OB3b. The monitoring data were supported by plate count data and hybridization results using 16S rDNA-targeting oligodeoxynucleiotide probes while AODC data generally complemented the sMMO gene probe results with certain levels of error. The 68-1 population was out-competed by OB3b population in both flask and continuous cultures under copper-limiting condition. The 68-1 population was out-competed by OB3b population in both flask and continuous cultures under copper-limiting condition. The 68-1 population was out-competed by OB3b under lower concentration of methane while higher methane concentration favored 68-1. Moreover, the OB3b population was dominant over 68-1 regardless of copper and nitrate concentrations. The putative sMMO gene probe was successfully used to detect the potential homologous methanotrophic genes and predict the population density in TCE-contaminated subsurface environments. Therefore, the putative sMMO gene from 68-1, if confirmed, could be used to monitor the populations of the potential type I sMMO producers growing or present in the various environments.
- Research Organization:
- Tennessee Univ., Knoxville, TN (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 39164
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: TH: Thesis (Ph.D.); PBD: 1994
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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