Heavy metal tolerance and polychlorinated biphenyl oxidation in bacterial communities inhabiting the Pasvik River and the Varanger Fjord area (Arctic Norway)

Heavy metals (HMs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) enter the Arctic environment through a variety of anthropogenic
sources with deleterious effects towards biota and public health. Bacteria first transfer toxic compounds
to higher trophic levels and, due to the tight link existing between prokaryotic community functions and
the type and concentration of contaminants, they may be useful indicator of pollution events and potential
toxicity to other forms of life. The occurrence and abundance of HM-tolerant and PCB-oxidizing bacteria in the
sub-Arctic Pasvik river area, heavily impacted by anthropogenic modifications, was related to HM and PCB
contamination. This latter more likely derived from local inputs rather than a global contamination with higher
PCB and HM amounts (and higher bacterial viable counts) that were determined in inner and middle sections of
the River. Finally, a panel of bacteria with potential applications in the bioremediation of cold environments
were selected and phylogenetically identified.

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2019 - Articolo in rivista

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Marine pollution bulletin. 141 (2019): 535–549.

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Keywords: Polychlorinated biphenyls, HEAVY METALS, BPH GENE, ARCTIC, MULTITOLERANCE

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CNR People

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ExploRA