Record Display for the EPA National Library Catalog

RECORD NUMBER: 1 OF 72

Main Title Adaptation of Aquatic Microbial Communities to Hg(2+) Stress.
Author Barkay, T. ;
CORP Author Environmental Research Lab., Gulf Breeze, FL.
Year Published 1987
Report Number EPA/600/J-87/333;
Stock Number PB88-199401
Additional Subjects Aquatic microbiology ; Mercury(Metal) ; Water pollution ; Bacteria ; Detoxification ; Fresh water biology ; Mercury inorganic compounds ; Reprints ; Biological stress ; Biological adaptation ; Operon
Holdings
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Status
NTIS  PB88-199401 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 10p
Abstract
The mechanism of adaptation to Hg(2+) in four aquatic habitats was studied by correlating microbially mediated Hg(2+) volatilization with the adaptive state of the exposed communities. Structural and functional parameters indicated that adaptation of all four communities was stimulated by exposure to Hg(2+). In saline water communities, adaptation was associated with rapid volatilization after an initial lag period. The mechanism, however, did not promote adaptation in a freshwater environment, where Hg(2+) volatilized slowly, regardless of the adaptive state of the microbial community. Distribution of the mer operon among representative colonies of the communities was not related to adaptation to Hg(2+). Thus, although volatilization is a mechanism which enables some microbial communities to sustain their functions in Hg(2+) stressed environments, it is not coded for by the gene system that mediates the mechanism in pure cultures.