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Analysis of microbial biodiversity in pristine and polluted environments using molecular tools
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2003 |
| Authors | Torsvik, V,; Daae, F, L.; Sandaa, R, A.; Overås, L, |
| Journal Title | Biotechnology in sustainable biodiversity and food security. Proceedings of an International Conference, Kathmandu, Nepal, November 2000 |
| Pagination | 51-64 |
| Key Words | arable soils; biodiversity; community ecology; forest soils; genetic analysis; genetic diversity; habitats; heavy metals; microbial activities; microbial flora; molecular genetics; phylogenetics; pollutants; polluted soils; ribosomal DNA; ribosomal RNA; s |
| Abstract | This study investigated the use of molecular methods to measure microbial diversity and community structure, and the application of such methods to assess the effect of stress and perturbations on microbial ecosystems. For total DNA analysis, bacteria were first separated from eukaryotic DNA and particulate materials by a fractionated centrifugation method. Community composition and phylogenetic studies were based on an analysis of rRNA and rDNA. Three examples on soil ecosystems are presented. The soils investigated comprised pristine soils, perturbed arable soils, and sewage sludge amended soils with heavy metal contamination. Results revealed that the total microbial diversity in pristine environments is high, and that the diversity of cultured bacteria is only a minor part of the total diversity. It was also observed that environmental perturbations induce profound changes in the community structure. Stress and perturbations seems to lead both to reduced species richness and equability,as some species become numerically dominant. Results suggest that diversity can be a useful indicator of stress and a measure of how much the community deviates from that of a non-stressed one. |
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