A novel in situ tool for the exposure and analysis of microorganisms in natural aquatic systems

Davis, TA; Simon, DF; Hassler, CS; Wilkinson, KJ

A novel in situ tool for the exposure and analysis of microorganisms in natural aquatic systems

Davis, TA Simon, DF Hassler, CS Wilkinson, KJ

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Environmental Science and Technology, 2009, 43 (21), pp. 8240 - 8244
Issue Date:: 2009-11-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Davis, TA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Simon, DF	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hassler, CS	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Wilkinson, KJ	en_US
dc.date.issued	2009-11-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Environmental Science and Technology, 2009, 43 (21), pp. 8240 - 8244	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0013-936X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/8561
dc.description.abstract	To evaluate the effects of contaminants or nutrient limitation in natural waters, it is often desirable to perform controlled exposures of organisms. While in situ exposures are routine for caged organisms or macrophytes, they are extremely difficult to perform for microorganisms, mainly due to difficulties in designinganexposure device that isolates the cells while allowing rapid equilibration with the external media. In this paper, a stirredunderwaterbiouptakesystem(SUBS)basedonthediffusion of chemicals across a semipermeable membrane housing a controlled population of microorganisms is reported. Cd diffusion through the semipermeable membrane was evaluated by voltammetry using a microelectrode. Comparison of stirred and unstirred solutions demonstrated a significantly increased diffusive flux in the presence of stirring. Lab tests using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii showed that diffusion across the semipermeable membrane was not limiting with respect to the biouptake of Cd. The SUBS device was field tested and the results of viability studies and trace metal biouptake by C. reinhardtii are reported. No diffusion limitation due to the SUBS was observed for Cd under the tested field conditions. The SUBS device was also shown to be useful for field exposures and subsequent measurements of trace metal uptake and viability. The results support the future use of the SUBS for the in situmeasurementof phytochelatin/ metallothionein production, photosynthetic efficiency, or reporter gene induction of controlled organisms. © 2009 American Chemical Society.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Environmental Science and Technology	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1021/es901492y	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Chlamydomonas reinhardtii	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cadmium	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Microbiological Techniques	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Microelectrodes	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Water Microbiology	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Environment	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Rivers	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Environmental Exposure	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Diffusion	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Microbial Viability	en_US
dc.title	A novel in situ tool for the exposure and analysis of microorganisms in natural aquatic systems	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	21	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	43	en_US
utslib.for	0602 Ecology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	21	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	43	en_US

Abstract:

To evaluate the effects of contaminants or nutrient limitation in natural waters, it is often desirable to perform controlled exposures of organisms. While in situ exposures are routine for caged organisms or macrophytes, they are extremely difficult to perform for microorganisms, mainly due to difficulties in designinganexposure device that isolates the cells while allowing rapid equilibration with the external media. In this paper, a stirredunderwaterbiouptakesystem(SUBS)basedonthediffusion of chemicals across a semipermeable membrane housing a controlled population of microorganisms is reported. Cd diffusion through the semipermeable membrane was evaluated by voltammetry using a microelectrode. Comparison of stirred and unstirred solutions demonstrated a significantly increased diffusive flux in the presence of stirring. Lab tests using Chlamydomonas reinhardtii showed that diffusion across the semipermeable membrane was not limiting with respect to the biouptake of Cd. The SUBS device was field tested and the results of viability studies and trace metal biouptake by C. reinhardtii are reported. No diffusion limitation due to the SUBS was observed for Cd under the tested field conditions. The SUBS device was also shown to be useful for field exposures and subsequent measurements of trace metal uptake and viability. The results support the future use of the SUBS for the in situmeasurementof phytochelatin/ metallothionein production, photosynthetic efficiency, or reporter gene induction of controlled organisms. © 2009 American Chemical Society.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/8561