Longitudinal Metagenomic Analysis of the Water and Soil from Gulf of Mexico Beaches Affected by the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill

摘要: Estimates of 7x105 cubic meters crude oil were released into the Gulf Mexico as a consequence April 20th, 2010 Deep Water Horizon drilling rig explosion, leaving thousands square miles earth's surface covered in oil. Dispersants used on large slicks and injected at well head, resulting being suspended throughout water column. Starting June 2010, reached hundreds Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida shoreline disturbing ecological balance economic stability region. While visible damages are evident wildlife populations marine estuaries, most significant affect may be basic level ecosystems: bacterial plankton populations.We present results from high throughput DNA sequencing close-to-shore beach soil samples before during appearance Louisiana Mississippi. Sixteen taken over two month period approximately week intervals Grand Isle, LA Gulfport, MS sequenced using Illumina GAIIx platform. Significant genomic-based population fluctuations observed samples. These included spikes human pathogen Vibrio cholera, sharp increase Rickettsiales sp., decrease Synechococus sp. Analysis contiguous de-novo assembled DNAs (contigs) also suggested loss biodiversity by time appeared shores both locations. Our observations lead us to conclusion that strongly influenced microbial dynamics, had striking impact phytoplankton other flora prior oil, community not recovered pre-spill conditions end our observational period.