Molecular analysis of the spatial distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria in three eutrophicated wastewater stabilization ponds

Abstract

The spatial distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) within three eutrophicated wastewater stabilization ponds (anaerobic, facultative and maturation) was assessed by terminal restriction fragment (TRF) polymorphism targeting the dissimilatory (bi) sulfite reductase (dsrAB) gene. High sulfate reducing diversity was confirmed through the 93 and 78 TRFs found using Sau3A1 and Ta q α1 restriction enzymes. Statistical analysis using Simpson (D) and Shannon (H') diversity index and principal coordinate analysis revealed differential distribution of SRB at each treatment stage and between waste and sediment samples. Inversely to the distribution of purple phototrophic bacteria, the diversity of SRB decreased within sediment and increased within the water phase downstream of the plant. © Springer-Verlag and the University of Milan 2010.