Genes involved in arsenic transformation and resistance associated with different levels of arsenic-contaminated soils.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Arsenic is known as a toxic metalloid, which primarily exists in inorganic form [As(III) and As(V)] and can be transformed by microbial redox processes in the natural environment. As(III) is much more toxic and mobile than As(V), hence microbial arsenic redox transformation has a major impact on arsenic toxicity and mobility which can greatly influence the human health. Our main purpose was to investigate the distribution and diversity of microbial arsenite-resistant species in three different arsenic-contaminated soils, and further study the As(III) resistance levels and related functional genes of these species.

Results

A total of 58 arsenite-resistant bacteria were identified from soils with three different arsenic-contaminated levels. Highly arsenite-resistant

SUBMITTER: Cai L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2631446 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature