Evidence of methylmercury production and modification of the microbial community structure in estuary sediments contaminated with wastewater treatment plant effluents |
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| Authors: | Ramond Jean-Baptiste Petit Fabienne Quillet Laurent Ouddane Baghdad Berthe Thierry |
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| Institution: | a Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics, Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa;b Université de Rouen, CNRS UMR 6143, Morphodynamique Continentale et Côtière (M2C), IRESE B, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France;c Université Lille 1, FRE CNRS 3298 Geosystèmes, Equipe Chimie Analytique et Marine Bat C8, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq Cedex, France |
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| Abstract: | The Seine’s estuary (France) waters are the receptacle of effluents originating from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In this estuary, mudflats are deposition zones for sediments and their associated contaminants, and play an essential role in the mercury (Hg) biogeochemical cycle mainly due to indigenous microorganisms. Microcosms were used to assess the impact of WWTP-effluents on mercury methylation by monitoring Hg species (total dissolved Hg in porewater, methylmercury and total mercury) and on microbial communities in sediments. After effluent amendment, methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations increased in relation with the total Hg and organic matter content of the WWTP-effluents. A correlation was observed between MeHg and acid-volatile-sulfides concentrations. Quantification of sulfate-reducing microorganisms involved in Hg methylation showed no increase of their abundance but their activity was probably enhanced by the organic matter supplied with the effluents. WWTP-effluent spiking modified the bacterial community fingerprint, mainly influenced by Hg contamination and the organic matter amendment. |
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| Keywords: | Methylmercury Wastewater effluents T-RFLP Competitive-PCR Anoxic sediment Sulfate-reducing microorganisms |
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