Characterizing (non-Dehalococcoides) TCE Dechlorinating Microbial Communities Using Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA)
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a toxic and harmful chemical pollutant that persists in the environment, negativelyaffecting human health. Its presence in surface and groundwater warrants attention; biodegradation seems to be a possible solution to this problem. A unique organism identified as Dehalococcoides ethenogenes is the only microorganisms known to date to be capable of using TCE as an electron acceptor, in a process called dechlorination. In this process the compound is degraded and converted into ethylene. Sediment samples in where TCE is degraded to ethylene were analyzed by molecular assays to confirm te presence of
D. ethenognes, no Dehalococcoides sp. were found. The amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) was used to characterize and identify the "new" microorganisms present in samples. Preliminary results have identified unknown clones closely related to Desulfosporosinus sp. as the dominant and most abundant microbial community in almost all of our contaminated samples, therefore, is thought that this organisms can also be characterized as a TCE degrading organisms. Employing these dechlorinating organisms may prove a cost-effective process in easing the world's contamination problem.
D. ethenognes, no Dehalococcoides sp. were found. The amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) was used to characterize and identify the "new" microorganisms present in samples. Preliminary results have identified unknown clones closely related to Desulfosporosinus sp. as the dominant and most abundant microbial community in almost all of our contaminated samples, therefore, is thought that this organisms can also be characterized as a TCE degrading organisms. Employing these dechlorinating organisms may prove a cost-effective process in easing the world's contamination problem.
School:
Universidad del Este, Puerto Rico
Department:
Biological Sciences / Microbiology & Chemistry
Research Advisor:
Kevin Finneran
Department of Research Advisor:
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Year of Publication:
2008