Spatial patterns of microbial diversity and activity in an aged creosote-contaminated site.

ABSTRACT: Restoration of polluted sites via in situ bioremediation relies heavily on the indigenous microbes and their activities. Spatial heterogeneity of microbial populations, contaminants and soil chemical parameters on such sites is a major hurdle in optimizing and implementing an appropriate bioremediation regime. We performed a grid-based sampling of an aged creosote-contaminated site followed by geostatistical modelling to illustrate the spatial patterns of microbial diversity and activity and to relate these patterns to the distribution of pollutants. Spatial distribution of bacterial groups unveiled patterns of niche differentiation regulated by patchy distribution of pollutants and an east-to-west pH gradient at the studied site. Proteobacteria clearly dominated in the hot spots of creoso

SUBMITTER: Mukherjee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4184007 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature