African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5238

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the importance of bacteria in vertical flow microcosms using streptomycin sulfate as the bactericide

Wen L. Liu1*, Chong B. Zhang2, Jiang Wang2, Xiao C. Pan2
1School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Taizhou University, Jiaojiang 318000, P.R.China. 2 School of Life Sciences, Taizhou University, Jiaojiang 318000, P.R. China
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 26 April 2013
  •  Published: 21 May 2013

Abstract

The importance of bacteria in microbial communities of vertical flow microcosms was investigated using streptomycin sulfate as the bactericide. The bacterial loss reduced significantly total carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents enriched in substrate microorganisms (P < 0.05), but did not change the Shannon index of the microbial community (P > 0.05). In addition, the bacterial loss reduced the microbial utilization of both amines/amides and amino acid groups in Ecoplates (P < 0.05), but this was not the case for utilization of carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, polymers and miscellaneous compounds (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, a decreased removal of NH4+–N or NO3–N in wastewater due to the bacterial loss was observed as well (P < 0.05). The current studyhighlighted the importance of bacteria in both transformations and removals of nitrogen compounds in constructed wetlands.

 

Key words: Constructed wetland, Streptomycin application, microbial biomass, metabolic patterns, pollutant removals