Analysis of Soil Fungal Community Structure on the Surface of Buried Polyethylene Terephthalate

Abstract

This study investigated soil fungal communities that develop on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) while buried in situ. PET samples prepared with file or alkali were buried in mountain soils for up to 9 months. The composition of fungal communities in native soil and on the surface of buried PET was compared using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). DGGE and subsequent cluster analyses based on band patterns demonstrated the variability of fungal communities between native soil and PET surfaces. Burial for 3 months reduced diversity indices of soil on the surface of filed PET, yet soil on the surface of alkali-treated PET retained high diversity index. Cluster analyses show that fungal community structure was initially dependent on the difference in microstructure after surface treatment. This dependence later switched to macrostructure-the shape of PET samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to assess relationships between the surface structure of PET sheets and fungal diversity. Results show that hydrophilicity of PET contributed to differences in structures between alkali-treated PET and other PET samples.