Microflora Involved in Phytoremediation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons

EPA Grant Number: R827015-01-0
Title: Microflora Involved in Phytoremediation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons
Investigators: David P. Nagle, John S. Fletcher
Institution: University of Oklahoma
EPA Project Officer: Bala Krishnan
Project Period: August 1, 2000 to July 31, 2001 (N/C Ext. August 1, 2001 to July 31, 2002)
Project Amount: $88,979
Research Category: Phytoremediation

Description:

WORK COMPLETED (March 1 to May 31, 2001)

  1. Approximately $17,500 was acquired from other sources to supplement funds in the EPRI grant for purchase of a $27,500 Smart Cycler instrument.
  2. A purchase order was sent to Fisher Scientific for the Smart Cycler instrument with June 1 as a delivery date.
  3. Newly designed primers were ordered to be used with the Smart Cycler.
  4. Analysis of bacteria associated with the roots of several different plant species was continued.

RESULTS

  1. Conventional plate counting techniques have been used to show that the rhizospheres of some plant species are enriched in organisms that degrade polyaromatic contaminants. A 10-fold difference has been noted among some species.
  2. Six different plant species known to grow at contaminated sites are being successfully grown in the greenhouse for future rhizosphere studies.

SIGNIFICANCE

Differences that have been noted in the rhizosphere communities of plants under investigation have never been reported in the literature and provide the foundation for future quantitative PCR studies to be conducted in this laboratory.