The impact of long-term hydrocarbon exposure on the structure, activity, and biogeochemical functioning of microbial mats
GUYONEAUD, Remy
Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les materiaux [IPREM]
Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les materiaux [IPREM]
GOÑI, Marisol
Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les materiaux [IPREM]
< Reduce
Institut des sciences analytiques et de physico-chimie pour l'environnement et les materiaux [IPREM]
Language
en
Article de revue
This item was published in
Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2016-10, vol. 111, n° 1-2, p. 115-125
Elsevier
English Abstract
Photosynthetic microbial mats are metabolically structured systems driven by solar light. They are ubiquitous and can grow in hydrocarbon-polluted sites. Our aim is to determine the impact of chronic hydrocarbon contamination ...Read more >
Photosynthetic microbial mats are metabolically structured systems driven by solar light. They are ubiquitous and can grow in hydrocarbon-polluted sites. Our aim is to determine the impact of chronic hydrocarbon contamination on the structure, activity, and functioning of a microbial mat. We compared it to an uncontaminated mat harboring similar geochemical characteristics. The mats were sampled in spring and fall for 2 years. Seasonal variations were observed for the reference mat: sulfur cycle-related bacteria dominated spring samples, while Cyanobacteria dominated in autumn. The contaminated mat showed minor seasonal variation; a progressive increase of Cyanobacteria was noticed, indicating a perturbation of the classical seasonal behavior. Hydrocarbon content was the main factor explaining the differences in the microbial community structure; however, hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria were among rare or transient Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) in the contaminated mat. We suggest that in long-term contaminated systems, hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria cannot be considered a sentinel of contaminationRead less <
Keywords
Microbial mats
English Keywords
Biogeochemical functioning
Diversity
Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria