Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1021/es100776h
Title (Primary) Bacterial chemotaxis along vapor-phase gradients of naphthalene
Author Hanzel, J.; Harms, H.; Wick, L.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Technology
Year 2010
Department UMB
Volume 44
Issue 24
Page From 9304
Page To 9310
Language englisch
Abstract The role of bacterial growth and translocation for the bioremediation of organic contaminants in the vadose zone is poorly understood. Whereas air-filled pores restrict the mobility of bacteria, diffusion of volatile organic compounds in air is more efficient than in water. Past research, however, has focused on chemotactic swimming of bacteria along gradients of water-dissolved chemicals. In this study we tested if and to what extent Pseudomonas putida PpG7 (NAH7) chemotactically reacts to vapor-phase gradients forming above their swimming medium by the volatilization from a spot source of solid naphthalene. The development of an aqueous naphthalene gradient by air-water partitioning was largely suppressed by means of activated carbon in the agar. Surprisingly, strain PpG7 was repelled by vapor-phase naphthalene although the steady state gaseous concentrations were 50-100 times lower than the aqueous concentrations that result in positive chemotaxis of the same strain. It is thus assumed that the efficient gas-phase diffusion resulting in a steady, and possibly toxic, naphthalene flux to the cells controlled the chemotactic reaction rather than the concentration to which the cells were exposed. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of apparent chemotactic behavior of bacteria in response to vapor-phase effector gradients.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=10044
Hanzel, J., Harms, H., Wick, L. (2010):
Bacterial chemotaxis along vapor-phase gradients of naphthalene
Environ. Sci. Technol. 44 (24), 9304 - 9310 10.1021/es100776h