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 ------- 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 ------- 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-;-' ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- 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. ------- 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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- References Ahearn, D. G. , S. P. Meyers end P. G. Standard. 1971. The role of yeaots in the decomposition of oils in marine environTsents. Dev. Ind. Micro- biol. 1.2:126-1.34. Ames, B. N. . J. McCann and E. Yamaaaki. 1975. Methods for detecting carcino- gens and nutagens with Saltaonclla/microsoae mutagenicity test. Mutation Res. 3.1:347-364. Bourquin, A. W. and S. Cassidy. 1975. Effect of polychlorinated biphenyl formulations on the growth of cstuarine bacteria. Appl. Microbiol. 29_:125-127. Bourquin, A W. , L. A. Kiefer, N. H. Berner, S. Crow and D. G. Ahearn. 1975. Inhibition of estuarine microorganisms by polychlorinate'l biphenyls. Ind. Microbiol. 1:256-262. Colwell, R. R. and W. J. Wiebe. 1970. "Core" characteristics for use in classifying aerobic, heterotrophic bacteria by n-jmerical taxonomy. Bull. Ga. Acad. Sci. 28:165-185. Crow, S. A., D. G. Ahearn, W. L. Cook and A. W. Bourquin. 1975. Densities of bacteria and fungi in coastal surface films as determined by a membrane-adsorption procedure. Limnol. Oceanogr. 20:644-645. Crow, S. A., A. W. Bourquin, W. L. Cook and D. G. Aheam. 1976. Microbial populations in coastal surface slicks. P. 93-99. In; J. Miles Sharpley and Arthur M. Kaplan (eds.), Proceedings of the Third Inter- national Biodegradation Symposium. Appl. Sci. Publ., London. Crow, S. A., P. I. Bowman and D. C. Ahearn. 1975. Isolation of atypical Candida albicana from the North Sea. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 33:738-739. Crow, S. A., M. A. Hood and S. P. Meyers. 1975. Microbial aspects of oil intrusion in Southeastern Louisiana. P. 221-227. In: A. W. Bourquin, D. G. Ahearn, S. P. Keyers (ed.), Inpact of the use of microorganisms on the aquatic environtt_at. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C. Grimes, D. G. and S. M. Morrison. 1975. Bacterial bioconcentration of chlorinated insecticides from aqueouR systems, Microbiol. Ecology 2^:43-59. Harvey, G. W. 1966. Microlayer collection from the sea surface: A new method and initial results. Limnol. Oceanogr. 11^:608-613. Hc-od, M. A., W. S. Bishop, Jr., F. W. Bishop, S. P- Meyers and T. Wheleo III 1975. Microbial indicators of oil-rich salt marsh sediment. Appl. Microbiol. 30:982-987. 19 ------- Heyera, S. P., D. G. Ahcam, W. Gunkel and F. J. Roth, Jr. 1968. Yeasta l:rom the i'.orth Sea. Mar. Biol. 1/.11B-123. Pritchard, P. R., A. W. Bourqutn, H. L. Frcdarickson and T. teziarz. 1979. Systeo design factors affecting environmental fate studies in titcro- cosias. In: A. W. *>ourquin and P. H. Pritchard (eda.)r Proceedings of the Workshop: Microi/ial Degradation of Pollutants in Marine Environ- ments. EPA-600/9-7 9-012, Gulf Breeze, Florida, pp. 251-272. Seba, D. B. and E. F. Corcoran. 1969. Surface a licks as concentrators of pesticides in the marine environment. Pcstic. Honit. J. Sleburth, J. ItcN. 1965. Bacteriological samplers for air-water and water- sediment interfaces. Trans. Jr.. Conf. Oce*u Scl. Ocean Eng. Mar. Technol. Soc. Am. Soc. Limnol. Oceanogr. , p. 1064-1067. Smith, G. N., A. W. Bourquin, S. A. Crow, sad D. G. Ahcarn. 1976. The effect of heptachlor oa hexadecane utilization by selected fungi. Dev. Ind. Microbiol. r7:331-336. Walker, J. D.,and J. J. Cooney. 1975. Effects of poorly unetabolized hydro- carbons on substrate oxidation by Cladosporiun reainac. J. Appli. Bact. _39:189-195. Williams, P. M. 1967. Sea eurface chemistry: organic carbon and organic and inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in surface files and subsurface waters. Deep-Sia Res. 14:791-800. 20 ------- |