Comparison of multiple ecogenomics methods for determiningecosystem function in uranium-contaminated environments
Background: Bioremediation may offer the only feasiblestrategy for the nearly intractable problem of metal and radionuclidecontamination of soil and groundwater. To understand bioremediation incontaminated environments, it is critical to determine the organismspresent in these environments, analyze their responses to stressconditions, and elucidate functional position in the environment.Methods: We used multiple molecular techniques on both sediment andgroundwater to develop a better understanding of the functionalcapability and stress level within the microbial community inrelationship to over one hundred geochemical parameters. Due to the lowpH (3.5-4.5) and high contaminant levels (e.g., uranium) microbialdensities and activities were low. We used a phage polymeraseamplification system to construct large and small insert DNA libraries,performed metagenome sequencing, constructed clonal libraries of selectfunctional genes (SSU rRNA gene, nirK, nirS, amoA, pmoA, and dsrAB), useda SSU rDNA Phylochip microarray (9,000 taxa), and a functional gene array(23K genes). A complete comparison for community differences andsimilarities between the different techniques was assessed using severalbioinformatics techniques. Results: SSU rDNA analysis revealed thepresence of distinct bacterial phyla, including proteobacteria,acidobacteria, and planctomycetes along the contaminant gradient.Metagenome analysis identified many of the same organisms, and diversitywas lower in water than sediment. Analysis with functional gene arrays,phylochip, and specific probes for genes and organisms involved inbiogeochemical cycling of C, N, and S, metal resistance, stress response,and contaminant degradation suggested that the dominant species could bebiostimulated during in situ uranium reduction. Several other findings ofdifference and similarities between methods are presented. Conclusion:These systems biology field studies could be enabling for strategies toattenuate nletal and radionuclide contamination.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Director. Office of Science. Biological andEnvironmental Research
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 922722
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL-62430-Ext.-Abs.; R&D Project: G446; BnR: KP1302000; TRN: US200804%%891
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Annual Meeting of the American Society forMicrobiology, Toronto, Canada, 20-24 May 2007
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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