Publication Cover
Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A
Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering
Volume 49, 2014 - Issue 13
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ARTICLES

Characterization of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria isolated from arsenic-contaminated groundwater of West Bengal

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Pages 1481-1492 | Received 05 Apr 2014, Published online: 19 Aug 2014
 

Abstract

Nine arsenic (As)-resistant bacterial strains isolated from As-rich groundwater samples of West Bengal were characterized to elucidate their potential in geomicrobial transformation and bioremediation aspects. The 16S rRNA gene-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the strains were affiliated with genera Actinobacteria, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas and Rhizobium. The strains exhibited high resistance to As [Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≥ 10 mM As3+ and MIC ≥ 450 mM As5+] and other heavy metals, e.g., Cu2+, Cr2+, Ni2+, etc. (MIC ≥ 2 mM) as well as As transformation (As3+ oxidation and As5+ reduction) capabilities. Their ability to utilize diverse carbon source(s) including hydrocarbons and different alternative electron acceptor(s) (As5+, SO42−, S2O32−, etc.) during anaerobic growth was noted. Growth at wide range of pH, temperature and salinity, production of siderophore and biofilm were observed. Together with these, growth pattern and transformation kinetics indicated a high As3+ oxidation activity of the isolates Rhizobium sp. CAS934i, Microbacterium sp. CAS905i and Pseudomonas sp. CAS912i. A positive relation between high As3+ resistance and As3+ oxidation and the supportive role of As3+ in bacterial growth was noted. The results highlighted As3+ oxidation process and metabolic repertory of strains indigenous to contaminated groundwater and indicates their potential in As3+ detoxification. Thus, such metabolically well equipped bacterial strains with highest As3+ oxidation activities may be used for bioremediation of As contaminated water and effluents in the near future.

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (Scheme No. 38/1314/11/EMR II) and Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India (RGYI Scheme No. BT/PR8933/GBD/27/41/2006) for financial support. Dhiraj Paul acknowledges the University Grants Commission (UGC), India, for providing a fellowship.

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