Molecular microbial ecology of lignocellulose mobilisation as a carbon source in mine drainage wastewater treatment

Abstract

The community structure of complex microbial consortia which develop in lignocellulose packed passive treatment systems for acid mine drainage remediation were investigated. An understanding of interactions between these populations is important in
determining mechanisms by which such systems operate. A degrading packed bed reactor was packed with lignocellulositic material as a sole carbon source and fed continuously with simulated acid mine drainage. Samples were collected every two months
at different depths of the reactor to isolate the total genomic DNA and PCR amplify section of 16S rDNA gene. PCR primers, GM5F and 907R incorporating GC clamp were used to amplify 586-bp region of 16S rDNA gene. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
(DGGE) indicated clearly a highly differentiated pattern of r-DNA – derived amplificates between different depths of the bioreactor. Predominant DGGE bands were further excised, reamplified, cloned and sequenced. Sequencing analysis revealed
phylogenetic affiliation of specific bacterial populations in different depths of the bioreactor.

Water SA Vol. 30 (5) 2005: pp.658-661