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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206023
Title: Microbial utilization of toxic chemicals in surface waters of Guayanilla Bay, Puerto Rico: Impact of seasonal variation

Author
item RODRIGUEZ, NYDIA - UPR, MAYAGUEZ,PEURTO RICO
item MASSOL, ARTURO - UPR, MAYAGUEZ,PUERTO RICO
item Imam, Syed
item ZAIDI, BAQAR - UPR, MAYAGUEZ,PUERTO RICO

Submitted to: Caribbean Journal of Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/28/2007
Publication Date: 5/7/2007
Citation: Rodriguez, N.J., Massol, A., Imam, S.H., Zaidi, B.R. 2007. Microbial utilization of toxic chemicals in surface waters of Guayanilla Bay, Puerto Rico: Impact of seasonal variation. Caribbean Journal of Science. 43(2):172-180.

Interpretive Summary: The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are among the most dangerous chemicals released in the environment, and are considered priority pollutants due to their potential for toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. The USDA laboratory in cooperation with the University of Puerto Rico, a land grant minority institution has helped to understand the factors that influence the rate and extent of biodegradation of such toxic chemicals by the native microbial flora present in the coastal Bay area in Puerto Rico.

Technical Abstract: A study was conducted on the industrial area waters of Guayanilla Bay to determine the potential for microbial utilization of toxic compounds such as fluorene, naphthalene, phenanthrene, phenol and pentachlorophenol (PCP) as a sole carbon source. Utilization of toxic substrates was determined by using Biolog MT Microplates inoculated with environmental samples. Water quality variables such as pH, salinity, temperature and turbidity were also measured. In general, temporal changes in the Bay influenced the utilization of these compounds, with increased utilization of toxic compounds during rainy season. Heavy rainfall caused perturbation of sediments rich in organic matter, as was evidenced by increased turbidities. This provided both the environment and the substrates necessary for enhanced microbial growth and activity. The levels of dissolved oxygen in the bay water decreased as a result of increased biological activity. Other environmental factors such as fluctuations in temperature, salinity, and pH appear to have little or no impact on microbial utilization of toxic compounds in the bay water.