Main Title |
Environmental Significance of the Potential for 'mer' (Tn21)-Mediated Reduction of Hg (2+) to Hg in Natural Waters. |
Author |
Barkay, T. ;
Liebert, C. ;
Gillman, M. ;
|
CORP Author |
Technical Resources, Inc., Gulf Breeze, FL.;Environmental Research Lab., Gulf Breeze, FL. |
Publisher |
c1989 |
Year Published |
1989 |
Report Number |
EPA-R-813589; EPA/600/J-89/166 ; CONTRIB-660 |
Stock Number |
PB90-129511 |
Additional Subjects |
Aquatic microbiology ;
Toxicology ;
Mercury ;
Natural waters ;
Fresh water ;
Salt water ;
Deoxyribonucleic acids ;
Reprints ;
Water pollution effects(Animals) ;
Environmental impact ;
Microbial sensitivity tests ;
Bacterial genes ;
Biotransformation
|
Holdings |
Library |
Call Number |
Additional Info |
Location |
Last Modified |
Checkout Status |
NTIS |
PB90-129511 |
Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. |
|
07/26/2022 |
|
Collation |
9p |
Abstract |
The role of mer(Tn21) in adaptation of aquatic microbial communities to Hg2+ was investigated. Elemental mercury was the sole product of Hg2+ volatilization by freshwater and saline microbial communities. Bacterial activity was responsible for biotransformation because most microeukaryotes did not survive the exposure conditions, and removal of larger microbes (> 1 microgram) from adapted communities did not significantly (P > 0.01) reduce Hg2+ volatilization rates. DNA sequences homologous to mer(Tn21) were found in 50% of Hg2+ resistant bacterial strains representing two freshwater communities, but in only 12% of strains representing two saline communities (difference highly significant, P < 0.001). Thus, mer(Tn21) played a significant role in Hg2+ resistance among strains isolated from freshwaters where microbial activity had a limited role in Hg2+ volatilization. In saline environments where microbially mediated volatilization was the major mechanism of Hg2+ loss, other bacterial genes coded for the biotransformation. (Copyright (c) 1989 American Society for Microbiology.) |