Characterization of coastal urban watershed bacterial communities leads to alternative community-based indicators.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microbial communities in aquatic environments are spatially and temporally dynamic due to environmental fluctuations and varied external input sources. A large percentage of the urban watersheds in the United States are affected by fecal pollution, including human pathogens, thus warranting comprehensive monitoring.

Methodology/principal findings

Using a high-density microarray (PhyloChip), we examined water column bacterial community DNA extracted from two connecting urban watersheds, elucidating variable and stable bacterial subpopulations over a 3-day period and community composition profiles that were distinct to fecal and non-fecal sources. Two approaches were used for indication of fecal influence. The first approach utilized similarity of 503 operational ta

SUBMITTER: Wu CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2890573 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature