GERBAM — Deuxième Colloque International de Bactériologie marine — CNRS, Brest, 1-5 octobre 1984
IFREMER, Actes de Colloques, 3, 1986, pp. 597-600
71
HEAVY METALS EFFECT ON BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES FROM COASTAL
SEDIMENTS.
X. MODAMIO and S. MALLO
Instituto de Investigaciones Pesqueras. P. Nacional s/n 08003 - BARCELONA (SPAIN).
ABSTRACT - We have studied the effects of heavy metals on bacterial communities of sea sediments. Samples
were taken from a very polluted zone near Barcelona.
Bacterial populations were estimated by the plate count method, using culture medium amended with heavy
metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu).
We have also made a numerical taxonomy study with a hundred resistant strains, using 129 unit characters.
Key words : heavy metals, bacteria, numerical taxonomy.
RÉSUMÉ - Nous avons étudié les effets des métaux lourds sur les communautés bactériennes des sédiments
marins. Les échantillons ont été pris sur une zone très polluée par des effluents domestiques et industriels à côté
de Barcelone.
Les peuplements bactériens ont été évalués par la méthode du comptage sur plaques utilisant un milieu nutritif et
ajoutant quelques proportions des métaux lourds.
Nous avons aussi étudié la taxonomie numérique sur une centaine de souches résistantes utilisant 129 caractères
unitaires.
Mots clés : métaux lourds, bactérie, taxonomie numérique.
INTRODUCTION
In previous studies carried out in our Institute, high levels of pollutants were found in the
estuaries of Bésos and Llobregat rivers. The major pollutant content corresponds to
organic matter, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. As a result of high levels of organic
matter present ; large populations of microorganisms exist in the sediments.The fate of
heavy metals acts as a selection agent on those communities, supporting the growth of
heavy metal-resistant strains.
This work deals with the evaluation of those bacterial communities and the determination
of their taxonomic status.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Samples were taken in the “METALS I” cruise, during April 1984 on board of the
research ship “Garcia del Cid”. Samples sites are described in Figure 1. Sediments were
collected with a Van Veen dredge and stored in sterilized glass flasks at 4°C.
597
IFREMER, Actes de Colloques, 3, 1986, pp. 597-600
71
HEAVY METALS EFFECT ON BACTERIAL COMMUNITIES FROM COASTAL
SEDIMENTS.
X. MODAMIO and S. MALLO
Instituto de Investigaciones Pesqueras. P. Nacional s/n 08003 - BARCELONA (SPAIN).
ABSTRACT - We have studied the effects of heavy metals on bacterial communities of sea sediments. Samples
were taken from a very polluted zone near Barcelona.
Bacterial populations were estimated by the plate count method, using culture medium amended with heavy
metals (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr and Cu).
We have also made a numerical taxonomy study with a hundred resistant strains, using 129 unit characters.
Key words : heavy metals, bacteria, numerical taxonomy.
RÉSUMÉ - Nous avons étudié les effets des métaux lourds sur les communautés bactériennes des sédiments
marins. Les échantillons ont été pris sur une zone très polluée par des effluents domestiques et industriels à côté
de Barcelone.
Les peuplements bactériens ont été évalués par la méthode du comptage sur plaques utilisant un milieu nutritif et
ajoutant quelques proportions des métaux lourds.
Nous avons aussi étudié la taxonomie numérique sur une centaine de souches résistantes utilisant 129 caractères
unitaires.
Mots clés : métaux lourds, bactérie, taxonomie numérique.
INTRODUCTION
In previous studies carried out in our Institute, high levels of pollutants were found in the
estuaries of Bésos and Llobregat rivers. The major pollutant content corresponds to
organic matter, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. As a result of high levels of organic
matter present ; large populations of microorganisms exist in the sediments.The fate of
heavy metals acts as a selection agent on those communities, supporting the growth of
heavy metal-resistant strains.
This work deals with the evaluation of those bacterial communities and the determination
of their taxonomic status.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Samples were taken in the “METALS I” cruise, during April 1984 on board of the
research ship “Garcia del Cid”. Samples sites are described in Figure 1. Sediments were
collected with a Van Veen dredge and stored in sterilized glass flasks at 4°C.
597