Respiration of 13C-labeled substrates added to soil in the field and subsequent 16S rRNA gene analysis of 13C-labeled soil DNA.

ABSTRACT: Our goal was to develop a field soil biodegradation assay using (13)C-labeled compounds and identify the active microorganisms by analyzing 16S rRNA genes in soil-derived (13)C-labeled DNA. Our biodegradation approach sought to minimize microbiological artifacts caused by physical and/or nutritional disturbance of soil associated with sampling and laboratory incubation. The new field-based assay involved the release of (13)C-labeled compounds (glucose, phenol, caffeine, and naphthalene) to soil plots, installation of open-bottom glass chambers that covered the soil, and analysis of samples of headspace gases for (13)CO(2) respiration by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). We verified that the GC/MS procedure was capable of assessing respiration of the four substrates added (50 pp

SUBMITTER: Padmanabhan P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC150082 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature