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Title: Molecular microbial ecology of a naphthalene-degrading genotype in activated sludge

Journal Article · · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00163a006· OSTI ID:5520332

The concentration of cells in an activated sludge system containing a gene known to participate in degradation of naphthalene was experimentally related to the biotransformation and mineralization of naphthalene. The gene probe analysis for the naphthalene catabolic genotype was more sensitive in this system than other naphthalene degrader microbial analysis methods for naphthalene catabolic cells. Other live cells present were 1000-10,000-fold more numerous than the genotype. Naphthalene biotransformation and mineralization rates fell when the mean value of genotype replicates dropped below 10/sup 7/ genotypically positive cells/mL. The ability to enumerate a critical genotype and relate it to enzymatic activity in a mixed culture suggests an improved capability for system understanding at the ecological level and the potential for process control at the genotype level.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville
OSTI ID:
5520332
Journal Information:
Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 21:9
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English