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Microeukaryote Diversity in a Marine Methanol-Fed Fluidized Denitrification System

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Abstract

The marine methanol-fed fluidized denitrification system operated by the Montreal Biodome includes carriers on which a denitrifying biofilm has developed. Previous observations showed a high abundance of microeukaryotes living in and around the biofilm. These eukaryotes may influence the system’s denitrification efficiency. The composition of the microeukaryote population was determined. Microscopic observations showed at least 20 different morphologies that included large numbers of ciliates. Molecular analyses of an 18S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) gene library revealed 31 different phylotypes. Alveolobiontes were the most abundant phylotypes and made up 75% of the 159 screened clones. Other eukaryotic groups, including Stramenopiles, Fungi, Amoebozoa, and nematodes, were also present. From 18S rDNA specific sequences, one of the Amoebozoa-affiliated phylotypes was visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization. It had a rod-like irregular shape and measured less than 5 μm in length. We determined the impact of protozoans on the denitrifying activity. In a laboratory-scale batch culture assays, the denitrifying biofilm was treated with cycloheximide and nystatin that eliminated the protozoans. No difference in the denitrification rate was found. However, planktonic bacteria were more abundant in the treated culture medium.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by two grants to R. Villemur from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, by a scholarship to N. Labbé from the INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier and by the Montreal Biodome. We are grateful to Rachel Léger, Director of the Montreal Biodome, for her continuous support. We also wish to thank Jean Bouvrette, Mec. Eng. and Maintenance and Operation Manager, and the engineering staff of the Biodome for their technical help and cooperation. Brian Colwill, C.Tr., revised the English style and grammar.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 boulevard des Prairies, Laval, Quebec, Canada, H7V 1B7

    Véronique Laurin, Pierre Juteau & Richard Villemur

  2. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Normand Labbé

  3. Montreal Biodome, 4777 avenue Pierre-de-Coubertin, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H1V 1B3

    Serge Parent

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  1. Véronique Laurin
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  2. Normand Labbé
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  3. Serge Parent
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  4. Pierre Juteau
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  5. Richard Villemur
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Correspondence to Richard Villemur.

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Laurin, V., Labbé, N., Parent, S. et al. Microeukaryote Diversity in a Marine Methanol-Fed Fluidized Denitrification System. Microb Ecol 56, 637–648 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-008-9383-x

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