Anaerobic subsurface soil microcosms: The effect of anthropogenic organic compounds on microbial communities
The experiments were divided into two phases. Phase One was designed to select enzymatic activity and biomass estimation methodologies that would work well under the conditions encountered in the microcosms. Phase Two was designed to determine the effect of pollutants on the structure and activity of the indigenous microbial community by using those methods proved sensitive and efficient in Phase One. In Phase Two the microcosms were divided into three groups: control, biotic chemical, and abiotic chemical. The chemical groups received additions of three organic pollutants in varying concentrations: phenothiazine, chloronapthalene, and polychlorinated biphenyl. Microbial activity was monitored in all groups using the following enzyme assays and biomass estimates: amylase, dehydrogenase, esterase, phosphatase, protease, soil protein concentration, acridine orange direct counts, aerobic and anaerobic plate counts. Diversity indices based on gross morphology and Gram stains were computed for all plate counts. Redox potential and pH were also monitored. Significant differences were seen among groups in specific assays on specific sample dates. However, values fluctuated with time due to successional changes in the microbial consortia which made it difficult to detect changes due solely to pollutant effects.
- Research Organization:
- Texas Univ., Dallas, TX (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5284160
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
MICROORGANISMS
GROWTH
PHENOTHIAZINES
AEROBIC CONDITIONS
AMYLASE
ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ESTERASES
MICROCOSMS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
PEPTIDE HYDROLASES
PH VALUE
PHOSPHATASES
REDOX POTENTIAL
SOILS
STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS
SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENTS
AROMATICS
AZINES
ENZYMES
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROLASES
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
540220* - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)