Characterization of microbial communities in marine mud and related biofilm production; a key step in mud rheology research
Das, R. (2011). Characterization of microbial communities in marine mud and related biofilm production; a key step in mud rheology research. MSc Thesis. Lessius Hogeschool Mechelen. Departement Industriële Wetenschappen: Mechelen. 80 pp. |
| Available in | Authors | | Document type: Dissertation
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| Keywords | Microorganisms
Nautical bottom
Physics > Mechanics > Rheology
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract | Very little is known about microorganisms in relatively unpolluted marine mud. However, these organisms are believed to be of influence in rheological properties of the nautical bottom. A clear insight in the communities of the mud column will be a key step in mud rheology research, which could reduce the dredging cost considerable.The aim of this survey is to characterize the communities in different layers of the mud---column. Community DNA from different layers is extracted and a clone library is made for identification. These results are compared with identified isolates from the same sample grown on agar plate. The clone library presumes a wide diversity in which the aerobically cultivable isolates represent only a small fraction of the community. All clone libraries are dominated by novel uncultured species, in which uncultured Gamma--- and Deltaproteabacteriatake an important place. The different depth samples showed no clear shift in microbial community. But more clones in each library are needed to confirm these findings. Isolates on agar plate show an abundant presence of Bacillus sp. within the phylum Firmicutes. Also Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes are present. EPS producing species will be identified (under anaerobic and aerobic conditions), separated and cultivated in the future. The bio---films will be extracted (after production in bio---reactors) and used for further rheology research on the harbor sediments. |
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