Effect of Macondo Prospect 252 Oil on Microbiota Associated with Pelagic Sargassum in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

摘要: The environmental impact of major oil spills on marine microorganisms has yet to be thoroughly investigated using molecular biology techniques. Deepwater Horizon (DWH) drilling rig explosion 2010 affected an approximately 176,000 km2 surface area the Gulf Mexico (GOM) when estimated 210 million gallons from Macondo Prospect spilled into environment. Pelagic Sargassum, a complex two drifting species (Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans) brown macroalgae critically important habitat in GOM ecosystem, was suffused by 252 released during DWH event. Using 16S rRNA PCR Roche 454 pyrosequencing, effect bacterial population associated with pelagic contiguous waters examined comparing sequence data generated samples collected oiled non-oiled locations northern GOM. Sequence showed similar microbial composition regardless exposure primarily dominated five phyla; Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, unclassified bacteria. water significantly less diverse than for consisted Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes. Due evenly distributed abundance study findings indicate that had minimal diversity community waters. However, higher abundances Sulfitobacter one Psychrobacter were found compared indicating some DHW seawater. Though there are number studies approaches, this is first examination spill communities