Flavobacterial response to organic pollution

Bacteria of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides (CFB) group (phylum Bacteroidetes), particular members of the class Flavobacteria, are among the most prominent heterotrophic in marine pelagic systems. They have also previously been found to be important the initial biopolymer degradation of sedimentary organic matter. The Flavobacteria community analysed in inshore, marine sediments subject to regular inputs of highly labile organic carbon order to understand the importance of this group in carbon degradation. We used denaturing gradient electrophoresis and real-time PCR in a statistically robust manner, over 2 consecutive years, demonstrate that the number of Flavobacteria in the sediment increased and community composition with organic loading. Further community shifts occurred after cessation of organic loading, population numbers also decreased. Flavobacteria appear to be important in the initial of the sediment microbial community to organic loading, regardless of sediment type, but composition was not predictable. The highly dynamic nature and large diversity (functional ) of the Flavobacteria in these sediments may contribute to this unpredictable . WORDS: Flavobacteria . Organic pollution . Degradation . Community composition