Identification of anthracene degraders in leachate-contaminated aquifer using stable isotope probing

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common contaminants in landfill leachate-contaminated aquifer. It is necessary to identify the microorganisms truly responsible for PAH degradation if bioremediation can be applied as an effective technology. DNA-based stable isotope probing (SIP) in combination with terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) was used to identify the active anthracene degraders in the contaminated aquifer sediment. One kind of degrader was classified as Variovorax species within class β-proteobacteria, but another belonged to unclassified bacteria. These findings also suggest novel microorganisms involved in PAH-degrading processes.

► DNA-based stable isotope probing was used for identification of anthracene degraders.
► Two novel anthracene degraders were identified from aquifer sediment.
► Variovorax species participated in anthracene biodegradation.