Effects  of Pollutants on Hior-obinl
       Activities in Estuarine Surface Filas
               State Univ.
       Atlanta
       Prepared for

       Environmental Research Lib,
       Gulf Breeze, FL
       Mar 81
[
i.V
Li

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                                                   EPA-GOO/4~61~00'>
                                                   March ISGi
     EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS ON M1CROBIAL

    ACTIVITIES IN ESTUARINE SURFACE  FILMS



                     by



                D. G. Ahcarn

                 W. L. Cook

                     aad

                 S. A. Crow
            Department of Biology
          Georgia State Uaiversity
           Atlanta, Georgia 30303
             Grant No. R-304477
               Project Officer

               Al W. Bourquin
Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory
         Gulf Breeze, Florida  32561
    U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
     OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPIiOT
      ENVIRO^OTNTAL FJISEAKCH LABORATORY
         GULF bPEEZE, FLORIDA  32561

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ji
I
1

;'
                                    r> CHfMrAL FT   IIVDATA
                             //'/.CM fuJ I" til, '1: '.'V • II /.'..   /'..' I'l fl'lf ll'l.l'
                            -J7
EPA-600/4-81--009
1. T I ' I r Afjf) ^ijm , 7 , |

  Effects of Pollutants on Microbial Activities
  In Estutrine Surface Films
 7. AUTHOHiS)

   D.G. Ahearn,  W.L.  Cook, and S.A. Crow
 9. Pfc RFOHMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
 12. SPONSORING AOENCV 'JAME AND ADDRESS
   U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency
   Environjj32fvj^3\l  Research Laboratory
   Office'of  Research  and Development
   Gulf Breeze,vFL   32561
                                                                j. racir


                                                                b. HEP", ir.' L '. •!
                                                                  March  1981  Icsuinp. D«te_.
                                                                6. PErtrrnviNij OP.GAMZATION couc
                                                              PER, -.:>•.• MO ORGArjI^ATIC M
                                                            13 PHOGRA.V F LEMfcT.'T NO
                                                             _A87E1A	   _
                                                            11. co7jTrTAcT~GR~AN"r~N7.

                                                              R-804477
                                                           13. TYFE OF ftPOUT AND PERIOD COVt RCD
                                                           14. SPONSORING AGtMCY COOt
                                                             EPA/600/4
 IB. SU^Pl RVIENTAPY NOTFS
        Samples  of inshore surface films  from  Escambia Bay, Florida and from  sites  in
   thp North Sea-yielded populations of aerobic,  heterotrophic microorganisms  up  to
   lO^-fiil"1 or  106  cm~2. Hydrocarbonoclastic organisms were in relativc-ly low  pop-
   ulations.  A  comparison of species of yeasts prevalent in North Sea v/aters  before
   and a?ter oil production activities indicated  a  shift to a more widespread  distrib-
   ution of hydrocarbonoclastic forms with  possible inhibition of a non-hydrocarbon
   utilizing species.   Examination of various  hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds
   with the potential  of being sequestered  in  natural  films indicated that 66» could
   potentially alter microbial metabolic  processes  in  the slick.  In microcosm studies.
   of estuarine  systems representative compounds  demonstrated a selective effect  for
   microfungi.
        This report was submitted by Georgia State  University in fulfillment  of
   Grant No. R-304477 under partial sponsorship of  the U.S. Environmental Protection
   Agency. This  report covers the period  from  May 9,  1976 to Oct. 9, 1979 and  was
   completed November 9, 1979.
                                KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
                  DESCRIPTORS
 Microorganisms
 Oil  slick
 Pollutants
 Microcosms
1) OISTHIBLMION STAIf." NT
        Release  to  public
                                              b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TtRMS
                                              Hydrocarbons
                                              Escambia  Bay
                                              Hydrocarbonoclastic
                                                organisms
                                              Microbial  Metabolic
                                                processes
                                              19 SI CURITY CLf :>S /rill!
                                                Unclassified
                                              20 SECURITY CLASS /Tliu
                                                 Unclassified
                                                                         i.  COS AT I I
                                                                              06/F
                                                                              06/M

                                                                              06/T
                                                                         21 --O Of ('AGtS
EPA Fo.n J2JO-1 («••• t-T
                                    .  x. •-'-;-'*L  7"C!-"•-'!<"A'
                                                    '
                      'inr-rt'-*-' •'~-*-'i-;-'

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                              DISCLAIMER
       This report has been reviewed by the Gulf Breeze Environmental
Research Laboratory, U. S. Enviromaental Protection Agency,  end approved
for publication.  Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily
reflect the views and policies of the U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency, nor doea mention of trade names or commercial products constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
                                   ii

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                                     FOREWORD






     The protection of our estuarine and coastal areas from damage caused




by toxic organic pollutants requires that regulations restricting the




introduction of these compounds into the environment be formulated on a




sound scientific basis.  Accurate information describing dose-response




relationships for organisms and ecosystems under varying conditions is




required.  The Environmental Research Laboratory, Gulf Breeze, contributes




to this inforaation through research programs aimed at determining:




           . the effects of toxic organic pollutants on individual species




            and communities of organisms;




           . the effects of toxic organlcs on ecosystem processes and




            components ;




           . the significance of chemical carcinogens in the estuarine




            and marine environments.




     Research described in this report examines the fate of pesticides in




estuarine surface layers .  An understanding of the response of microblal




populations to pollutants should aid In attempts to determine where toxic




chemicals reside in the environment and to develop better methods to assess




effects of such chemicals on biological processes.
                                               Heary F. Enos




                                               Director




                                               Environmental Research Laboratory




                                               Gulf Breeze, Florida
                                        111

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                               ABSTRACT





       Samples of inshore surface films frora Escaobia Bay, Florida and from



sites in the North Sea yielded populations of aerobic, heterotrophic micro-


                  8   —1      6   —2
organisms up to 10  ml   or 10  cm" .  Hydrocarbonoclastic organisms occured



in relatively low populations.  A comparison of species of yeasts prevalent



in North Sea waters before and after oil production activities indicated &



shift to a ciore widespread distribution of hydrocarbonoclastic forms with



possible inhibition of a non-hydrocarbon utilizing species.  Examination of



various hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds with the potential of being



sequestered in natural films indicated that 66% could potentially alter



microbial iretabolic processes in the slick.  In microcosm studies of estuarine



systems, representative compounds demonstrated a selective effect for micro-



fungi.



       This report was submitted by Georgia State University in fulfillment



of Grant No. R-8C4477 under partial sponsorship of the D. S. Environmental



Protection Agency.  This report covers the period from May 9, 1976 to



Oct. 9, 1979 and was completed November 9, 1979.
                                      iv

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                               CONTENTS



                                                                         Page

Foreword ..... 	 .......... 	  Ill

Abstract	   iv

Tables	   vl



      1.  Introduction 	    1

      2.  Conclusions	    4

      3.  RecoEsnendationa	    5

      4.  Materials	    6

      5.  Experimental

            Environmental Sampling 	 <  	    7
            Laboratory Studies	 .    7

      6.  Results and Discussion	   10


References	   19

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                               TABLES
                                                                         Page

1.  Heterotrophic Microbial Populations  In  Surface  Slicks
         of Escambia Bay	10

2.  Yeasts from the North Sea	12

3.  Fungi Isolated from AEOCO Cadiz  Oil	13

4.  Conparison of S£dcpjGeJLl£/Hanmialian-Microsorja Mutagenicity  Test
         ReaultB with Publiolied Reports  Using  the Same  Test	15

5.  Prevalent Fungi Isolated ?roa  Salt Marsh Microecosystema
         After Addition of Selected  Pesticides 	   16

6.  Batch Culture of Selected Fungi  With   C-Labelled Pesticides  ....   18
                                      vi

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                                SECTION I





                              IPProduction




        Surface  files on natural waters have been  ehown to  contain high



concentration!}  of  organic  carbon,  nitrogen and  phosphorous (Uilliam  1967),



alkones and  chlorinated hydrocarbons  (Seba and  Corcoran 1969, Ledet  and



Lasater 1974).   This organically enriched raicrohabitat also  has been ehown



to contain high densities  of  bacteria relative  to underlying waters.



Sieburth (1965)  reported bacterial populations  up to  4 x 10  ml~  in surface



films.   The  predominant bacteria were poeudoisoaads which expressed lipolytic



activity.  Harver  (1966) found  that bacteria, small algae, end colorless



flagellates  were concentrated in the  upper 60 um  of surface  water.   In the



studies of Crow et al.  (1975),  samples of the upper 10 u»  of Inshore surface



films obtained  by  adsorption  to membranes yielded tnicroblal  populations up

     a    _i      e   _o

to 10   ml    or  10   cm  .  These populations were  typically 10 to 100 times



greater than those in underlying waters at a depth of 10 en.  Predominant



bacteria in  the  films were motile, nonpigmented,  gram-negative rods.  Colony-


                                                                     4   -1
forming units of yeasts and Isolds  were found in concentrations to 10 ml


         -2
or 28 cm .  The predominant  species  in the surface films  were proteolytic



and amylolytic.but exhibited  only  weak to negligible  hydrocarbonoclastic



and lipolytic activities.



        Various  researchers have reported the accumulation  of various pesti-



cides and polychlorinated  aroaatics in surface  filras.   The bacterial



bioconcentration of  chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides from



aqueous  systems  appears to be a commonly occurring phenotaenon (Crimea and



Morrieon 1975).  Such binding of pesticides to  cells  suggests that the

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presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons in surface films (Seba and Corcoran




1969) may be related in part to their microbial densities.




       In other studies (Smith et nl. 1975), heptachlor was shown to enhance




or inhibit hexadecane utilization by Candida maltosa (from a freshwater oil




slick) dependent upon aeration and pasticide concentration.  The heptachlor




in these culture systems appeared to be bound to the cells, but not meta-




bolized.  Walker and Cooney (1975) found stimulation of oxidation by hexa-




decane by Cladosporium resinae in the presence of aon-utilizable substrates.




       The alteration of taicrobial ecosystems in eetuarine habitats by crude




oil has been reported (Crow et al. 1975, Hood et al. 1975) and inhibition of




eetuarlne bacteria by PCS formulations is known f.o occur  (Bourquin and




Cassidy 1975, Bourquin et al. 1975).  Potential alteration of nutrient




cycling in coastal areas mediated through hydrocarbon pollution will be of




greater concern with the advent of the superports, development of offshore




drilling along tha eastern coast, and production from the Coaipeche Bay area




in the Gulf of Mexico.  Since PCB's, chlorinated pesticides, and detergent




molecules are preferentatlly soluble in or bmnd to hydrocarbons, the




potential of an altered surface-film microflo-a with chronic oil pollution




can be expected to increase.



       The induction of bio-alteration by recalcitrant molecules is fre-




quently unobserved in studies of macroscopic organisms.   Unfortunately, long-




term detrimental effects of pollutants usually are seen too late to prevent




environmental damage.  The rapid generation of bacteria and their metabolic




responsiveness obviates come of theaa difficulties.  Microorganisms, primary




decomposers in the food web, can reflect potential deleterious environmental




effects within a time span of days.  Knowledge of the basic microecology of

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estuarine surface files, particularly aa affected by recalcitrant pollutants,




may permit predictions of impending ecological stress of higher living forms.




       The objective of thia research was to examine the effects of hydro-




carbons, pesticides and chlorinated biphenyls on the species composition and




physiology of predominant groups of micororganisms in ettuarine and marine




surface films.  Three basic ap roaches were taken to achieve the objective:




(1) heterotrophic microorganisms were isolated from natural and man-mediated




estuarine and oceanic surface films; representative isolates were examined




for their interactions with select compounds; (2) selected pesticides,




chlorinated biphenyls and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were screened



for their potential mutagenic and inhibitory capacity for Tlcroorganipms.

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                               SECTION 2




                              Conclusions





       Various hydrocarbons from polluting crude oil have the potential to




niter the microbial composition of es'.uarine and oceanic surface slicks.




Chlorinated aromatic compounds and various pesticides which have been shown




to be sequestered in surface films may further affect microbial activities.




Microcosm laboratory studies may be pmploved to show >'he selective effect




of pesticides on microbial populations in estuarine habitats.

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                               SECTION  3
       Laboratory microcosms should be established with ssaterials  from




selected eatuarine habitats of known niicroccology.  These taicrocosscs  should




be enriched with traces of natural nutrients  (glucose, cellulose,  amino




adds, etc.) and the response  (metabolism  and populations) oonitored  (short-




term) in the absence and presence of xenobictic molecules.  The results




should be compared with findings from field studieo of environoents ex-pooed




to the same xenobiotic.  A major purpose of these studies is to deft-mine




the shortest exposure time for significant results from laboratory nicro-




coEms.

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                                SECTI02I  4
                                Materials
Areas Satcoled
     Gulf Breeze,  Florida
          Range Point  salt  marsh
          Escambia Bay
     North Sea
          35 stations  between
            54'H,  8'E  and 66°  40'N,  10CE

Materials and Sources
                              8
                             23 aacples


                             70 samples
     Polycarbonate oeobranes,  Nucleopore  Corporation, Pleaoariton, California

     Standard Media  (prepared  with  50 per cent  seawater)
          Marine Agar  2216
          Mycological  Agar
          Spirit Blue  Agar
                    Tryptic Soy Agar
                    MOP Madlua
                    bushnell liuas Broth
     Specialized media  (listed  below) were  prepared according to the nethodi
of Colvell and Wiebe  (1970) and Hankin and  Anagnostakis  (1975).

          Proteolytic Enuoeration Media
          Amylolytic Enumeration Media
          Lipolytic Enumeration Kedia
          Hydrocarbon Enumeration Media  (1  per cent hexadecana in
            Buohneli-Haas broth)
          Phosphatase Media
          Basal Broth
            Yeast:  YKB  (Difco)
            Bacteria:  Buohnell-Haas Broth
Clicmicala Studied

Aldrin
Aroclor  1221
Aroclor  12A2
Aroclor  1260
BHC
Bux
Captafor
Captan
Carbaryl
Chlordane
Chlordene

ODD mixed ieotners
DDT mixed isotaers

DDT-O.P1

DOT-P1,?1
Diazinon
Dichlone
Dicofol
Dieldrin
Elndosulfan
Endrin
Halovax 1000
Halowax 1051
Halowax 1099
Heptachlor
Heptachlor epoxide
Hexachlorohvenzcne
1-Hydrorychlordene
Malathion
Methyl Oxychlor
Methyl Parathion
Mirex
PentacMorophenol (PCP)
Trans Nonachlor
Tetrachlorophenol
Toxaphene

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                                SECTION  5





                         Experimental Procedures



Envlrouneutal  Sampling




       The surface  slick sanples  froia Escambia Bay and the North Sea ware




collected with sterile polycarbonate membranes according to previously des-




cribed procedures  (Crow  et  al.  1975; 1976;  1977).  In brief, sterile poly-




carbonate nensbranes were floated  on the water.   The raccabrane and adhering




surface  fila were  retrieved with  either a  sterile plastic dish or bucket




which was submerged under the membrane  and underlying waters or, in calm




waters,  by directly retrieving  the membrane with a sterile forceps frota the




water surface.  The membranes were placed  into bottles containing sterile




seawater or placed  directly onto  a solid nutrient mediua.




       Samples from the  AIBOCO Cadiz spill  included:  a viscous, brown-black




crude with low water of  eoulsion, a browa  Ecuese. and surface film collected




from tidal pools.   Samples  of each were collected in sterile 10 el vials from




various  sites  within 10  loa  north  of the Portsal  harbor.




Laboratory Studies




       Bottles containing stcmbraaes were returned to the laboratory under




refrigeration  and processed within an hour of collection.  The bottles were




agitated for 3 nin  on a  wrist-action shaker.  Aliquots were serially diluted




and 0.1 ml of  dilutions  plated  onto appropriate  media.  Bacteria were char-




acterized physiologically with  media prepared according to the fonsula of




Colvell and Wiebe  (1970).   Proteolysls  was determined with  2.OX skim oilk




and 0.1Z yeast extract in 1.7Z  agar and with Thioglycollatc gelatin nediua




(Difco) prepared with artificial  seawater.  Oxidative or ferraentative carbo-




hydrate roetaboliBia  wao determined with  Hof raediua (Difco).  Llpaae and ureaoe





                                       7

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activities were determined en Spirit Blue agar  (Difco) and Orea agar (Difco),




respectively.  Both were prepared with artificial seswater at 2O°/00 salinity




Yeaste and filamentous fungi were identified and examined for their capacity




to grow on various hydrocarbons according to described procedures (Ahearn



et al. 1971; Crow and Ahearn, 1979).




       The Aacco Cadiz samples vrere held at room temperature and periodically




over a 6-Gonth period, 0.1 ml was cultured in 20 ml of enrichment broths and




0.1 ml was diluted 1:10 in a .1% Tveen 80 sea water solution and inoculated




onto Buschnell-Eaaa agar with .01% hexadecane, mycological agar prepared with



sea water and marine &gar.  The enrichment broths were:  filtered sea water




with a 0.01% yeast extract, and sea water with .07% (KH,), SO, and sea water




with both the (NH.K SO, and yeast extract.  The enrichment broths were




incubated et 20*0 for up to 14 days and 0.01 al samples inoculated onto the




isolation agars by spread plate procedure every 3-4 days.  Representative




bacteria and fungi froa the various selective media were characterized for




their interactions with various pesticides and oil constituents.  The muta-




genic and inhibitory effect of selected pesticides, chlorinated biphenyls




and polynuclear arenatic hydrocarbons waa established using the tester




strains developed by Ames et al. (1975).



       The effects of selected pesticides on fungal development were




examined using nicrocomas (Pritchard et al. 1979).  A sediment-water test




system contained 50 g of sand and detritus with 250 ml water (10-17 ppt




salinity) frca the Range Point salt oarsh.  This system was maintained et




rooia temperature (23-25eC) with the water fraction aerated with a bubbler




tube.  The other microcosm, a continuous flow system, coateined 144 g of




sand, 250 ml detritus and 250 ml of vater from  the Range Point salt march






                                        8

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layered Into 1000 ml growth vessels.  The temperature was maintained at 23°C;



salinity at 12-14 ppt and air was provided at & rate of 30 cc/min.

                             1 A

       Peutachlorophanol (UL.   C, Pathfinder Lab, Inc.) was introduced into


                                                                  14
the sediment-vrater test system at 140 ug/1.  Carbaryl (Haphthyl-1-  C,



California Bionuclear) and methylparathion (2,6-  C ring-lrbeled, Amersham-



Serala Corporation) were introduced into the continuous-flow microcosm from



the reservoir at a rate of 14 ml/hr,giving a final concentration in the



growth vessel of 214 ug/1 for the foraer aiid 75 pg/1 for the latter.



       At approxinately weekly intervalst1.0 ml of water and detritus were



removed from each growth vessel and from the headbox water.  Detritus and



water from the Range Point salt marsh also were examined weekly for fungi.

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                                SECTION 6





                         Results and Discussion



Environmental  Studies




       Surface slick materials  from Escambia Bay were plated on selective




media  to determine  the prevalence of physiologic types (Table 1).  For these




Banples.lipolytic and amyloiytlc*T>rgani8i!i8 were more prevalent than proteo-




lytic  and hydrocarbonoclastic types.
Table 1. Heterotrophic Kicrobial Populations in Surface Slicks of
Escambia Bay.
t CM"2
Total Aerobic
Heterotrophs
Amylolytic
Proteolytic
Hydrocarbonoclastic
Lipolytic
Yeauts
No. Sanples
23*
21
15
8
13
14
Range
1-2.8
1-5.8
1-4.6
1-2.7
1-1.8
1-2.4
xlO7
xlO7
x 105
x 104
x 107
xlO3
Mean
1.24
2.8
3.2
3.7
1.4
1.3
x 106
xlO6
xlO4
x 103
xlO6
xlO2
*No. sampl£8 positive of 23  total  samples.






       No yeasts with significant  hydrocaroonoclestic activities were




obtained.  None of the samples, however, was   from  sites  influenced by not-




able hydrocarbon pollution.  The influence  of  oil production activities




appeared to affect the composition of  the surface film  flora of the North




Sea.



       Species of yeasts from  surface  waters of  the North Sea were compared




with thooe isolated in an esvlier  study prior  to the development of oil




                                     10

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production  (Table  2).  Candida gaillierpondii, a hydrocarbonoclastic yeast,




was obtained  frequently in 1976, whereas only several atypical isolates




initially identified as Candida sp. were obtained in 1964-66.  In 1976, the




incidence of  Aureoobasidium palluIana appeared reduced.  Meyers et al. (1968)




found yeasts  at all stations  in 992 of 84  samples at cell densities between




35-50 cella/L with the maximum density of  >3,000 cells/L.  In 1976, yeasts




were isolated from 100% of the surface samples collected at the 35 stations




and from 28 of the 35 samples collected at 10 m.  least densities at the




surface averaged 76 cells/L and 35 cells/L at 10 m.




       Relatively  few fungi were isolated  from the Amoco Cadiz oil (Table 3).




The direct sampling onto agar plates of all samples gave only a few coloniea,




indicating that fungal populations were <10 colony forming units per 100 ml that




represented   only  a few species, but when  the samples were vigorously




agitated in a Tween 80 solution, densities in some samples ranged to nearly




50 cells/ml and yielded up to five different species.  The greatest variety




of species was obtained from  the surface films.  In comparison to surface




films and water samples examined in earlier work, the fresh crude oil from




the Amoco Cadiz appeared selective and possibly inhibitory to normal marine




yeast flora.  Certain volatile hydrocarbons, dependent upon concentration,




may be lethal £o yeasts (Ahearn et al. 1971).  In preliminary tests, Iranian




crude (about  30% naphthenes)  proved inhibitory to representative Isolates of




Debaryomyces  hansenii, in spot tests.  This species is the most cona&on yeast




in North Sea waters.  The presence of odorous volatile oil fractions at the




shore adjacent to  the wreck was quito noticeable, even 10 days after the




spill.   The high concentrations of these volatile fractions may have markedly




reduced the densities and cpeciea of yesats brought into contact with the oil.






                                     11

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Table 2.  Yeasts from the North Sea
       1964-66*
                           Incidence**
                                                   1976
                       Incidence
Debarcmrjces hansenii           38

Rhodotorula rubra              29

Aureobasidium pullulans        23

Candida diddensii              18

£. tropicalis                  12

R. pilimanae                   11

Hanseniaspora uvannn           10

C_. zeylanoides

£. obtusa

£. krusei

£. lipolytica

C_. sil--icola

£.* tei. is

Rhodosporidium
  infinnio-niaiata

Rhodotorula gratr

Sporobolomycea roaeus

Hanceniacpora californica

£. guillierroondii             <10
  (Caadida ay.)

     Total Sanples             84
I), hansenii

Candida guilliencondii

Cryptococcus laurentii

Rhodotorula rubra

Cr. albidua

Cr. gastricus

Torulopsis Candida

^. graminis

JR. lactosa

£. tropicalia

£. parapsilosia

Kloeckera apiculata

Rhodosporidium
  capitatua

Sporoboloayces roseuo

S^. gracilis

£. albo-rusescens

Aureobaaidium pullulana
                                                                        46

                                                                        29

                                                                        14

                                                                        11
                                                                         70
 *See Meyers et al. 1967
**Per cent occurrence in total  samples
                                      12

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Table 3.  Fungi Isolated from Amoco Cadiz Oil
Species
Rhodotorula rubra
Debaryotayces hansenii
Candida tropicalis
Brown-Black
Oil
+
+
Mousse Surface Film
+ +
+ +
+ +
£. lipolytica                      -                 +




£. guilliermondii                  +                 +



Aureobasidiun pullulans            -                 -




Penicillium sp.                    +                 +




Cladosporium sp.                   -                 +




Mucor ap.                          -                 ~




Fusarium sp.                       +                 +
                                      13

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Laboratory Studies—Hutaognlcity Teats

       The Salaopella/aamaallan-nierQ&oiag mutagenicity  test was used  to

detect conrpouods with potential of altering  surface-slick  flora (Table 4).

More  than  60%  of the  cocpounds  increased the rates of nutagenicity of tha

salmonellae.   Table 4 compares  also the results  of the  current study  with

publications using the Salmonella/Kanmalian-microsoaa rautagenicity test.

Shirasu et al.  (1976)  prescrcened all  the pesticides with  the rec-assay

system,using Bacillus subtilis  and apparently some of the  rautagena in our

test were  eliminated  by their prescreening.   Marshall et al. (1976) used

Salmonella that were  not as  sensitive  to mutagens as were  the ones used in

our test;  thua.we  report more mutagens.  Three compounds,  methyl parathion,

carbaryl,  and  pentachlorophenol,  were  selected for further studies in micro-

cosms.

Microcosm  Studies

            Changes in the talcrofungal  populations of microcosms established

from estuarine sediments and water of  the Range  Point salt marsh were

monitored  upon the addition  of  selected pesticides (Table  5).

            Addition of these pesticides to the microcosms  altered the pet-

tern of species recovered.   The prevalent fungi  in the  oediment of the

carbaryl microcosm changed from Trichoderma  to an overgrowth of Fuaariina.

In the methylparathion growth vessel,Trichoderma,    initially predominant

and was succeeded by  a species  of Penicilliurn.   The Peoicilliua I, provision-

ally classified within the Penicillium chrysogenum series, was Isolated in

large numbers  in the  final six  samplings.  A different  species, Penicilliun

II, provisionally classified within the Penicilliun canescens serieo, pre-

dominated  during the  sampling period in the  sediment of the pentachlorophenol

sediment-vater test system.
                                        14

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Table 4.  Comparison of  Sal.QonelU/maciEalian-7aicrosor« Muta^enlcity Test
            Results with Published Reports Using the Same Test.
Pesticide/Chemical
Aldrin
11HC
Bux
Captafol
Captan
Carbaryl
Chlordane
Chlordene
ODD mixed iaomcra
DDT mixed isomerc
DDT-0T PI1
DDT-P ,P
Diazinon
Dichlone
Dicofol
Dieldrin
Endosulfan
Endrin
Heptachlor
Heptachlor epo:cide
Hexachlorobensene
l-Hydroj:ychlordeae
Malathion
Methyl Oxychlor
Methyl paraChion
Mirex
Trans nonachlor
PCP
Tetrachlorophcnol
Toxaphene
Aroclor 1221
Aroclor 1242
Aroclor 1260
Halowax 1000
Halowax 1051
Halowax 1059
Kut£gen
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
•f
+
-
*
-
+
•t-
—
-
-
-
-
-
+
-
+
-
-
t
±
•f
±
*
±
-
+
±
—
Results of References
-(3)
-(3)
None
-(3)

-(2)i(3;'
None
None
None
-(2), (3)
None
None
-(2), (3)
-(3)
None
-(1),(2) (3)
None
None
-(2), (3)
-(2)
None
None
-(3)
Kone
None
None
Kone
-(3)
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
None
a
     rautagen; - * nonmutagen

(1) McCann, J., E. Choi,  E. Yrasisoki, end B. Aoen.  1975.  Proc. Hat. Acad.
      Sci.
(2) Marshall. T. C., W. H. Borough and H. E. Swim.  1976.  J. Agric. iood
      Chem. 2_4_:560-563.
(3) Shirasu, Y., M. Moriya, K.  Kato, A. Furuhaski and T. Kada.  1S76.  Muta-
      tion Reo. 40:19-30.

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Table 5.  Prevalent fungi isolated from salt marsh microecosystema after addition of selected
            pesticides.
Pesticide
Carbaryl
Kethyl-
parathion
Penta-
chloropheaol
Microcosm
Environment
Water
Sediment
Water
Sediment
Water
SedLaent
Prevalent Fungi
Initially Isolated
Fungus Frequency Range
Fusarium
Trlchcderma
Cladosporiica
Trichodenoa
Cladosporlua
Penicilliira II

3/72
4/7
3/7
6/7
3/7
5/7
80-TNC3
30-TNC
20-80
60-TNC
20-120
40-950
Prevalent Fungi
Finally Isolated
Fungus Frequency Range
Fusarium
Fusarium
Penicilliuta I
Penicillium I
Penicillium II
Penicilliua II

6/8
6/8
3/8
6/8
2/8
8/8
30-340
20-350
10-20
30-290
10-120
70-460
  Genus  of  most  cossaonly  isolated  fungus.
  Nuaber of times  fungus  isolated/nucber of weeks sampled.
  Range  of  number  of  fungi isolated  from 1 ml of sample.

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        Labeled pesticide molecules were added to batch culture systems  con-



 tained  otily sterile aeawater or dilute broth end inoculated with the fungi



 (Table 6).   The Fusarium isolated froa the carbaryl microcosm slowly released


           14
 traces of   CO, at approximately the saae rate from both batch cultures.



 Trichoderma sp. gave negligible release of   C0_.  The release of   C0_ was



, taoafe.notable from PCP in the dilute broth culture.  These low levels of


 14
   C02 release suggest low level contaminant molecules as their source,  but



 no such contamination was detected.



        These preliminary studies indicate that pollutant pesticides may



 select for fungi and possibly alter the normal recycling of nutrients in



 microhabltats.  Future studies should evaluate the use of such microeco-



 systerns to predict rates of biodegradation and the fate of xenobiotic



 molecules.
                                        17

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Table 6.  Batch culture of selected fungi with   C labeled pesticides.
Fungus
Fusariua
Trichoderma
Penicillium I
PenicilliuTa II

Pesticide
Carbaryl
Carbaryl
Methyl-
parathion
Pentachioro-
phenol
Culture Medium
Dilute mycological broth
Seawater
Dilute mycological broth
Seawater
Dilute mycological broth
Seawater
Dilute nycological broth
Seawater
Oaya to Maximum
14
C0_ Evolution
10
13
20
20
17
13
20
20
Per cent of Pesticide
Molecules Degraded
0.45
0.51
0.11
0.01
0.25
0.72
0.17
1.74

-------
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                                       20

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