Abstract
BackgroundSundarban is the world's largest coastal sediment comprising of mangrove forest which covers about one million hectares in the south-eastern parts of India and southern parts of Bangladesh. The microbial diversity in this sediment is largely unknown till date. In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the microbial diversity in this sediment using a cultivation-independent molecular approach.ResultsTwo 16 S rRNA gene libraries were constructed and partial sequencing of the selected clones was carried out to identify bacterial strains present in the sediment. Phylogenetic analysis of partially sequenced 16 S rRNA gene sequences revealed the diversity of bacterial strains in the Sundarban sediment. At least 8 different bacterial phyla were detected. The major divisions of detected bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta), Flexibacteria (CFB group), Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes and Gammatimonadates.ConclusionThe gammaproteobacteria were found to be the most abundant bacterial group in Sundarban sediment. Many clones showed similarity with previously reported bacterial lineages recovered from various marine sediments. The present study indicates a probable hydrocarbon and oil contamination in this sediment. In the present study, a number of clones were identified that have shown similarity with bacterial clones or isolates responsible for the maintenance of the S-cycle in the saline environment.
Highlights
Sundarban is the world’s largest coastal sediment comprising of mangrove forest which covers about one million hectares in the south-eastern parts of India and southern parts of Bangladesh
Even no culture based analysis of the bacterial community is yet reported from this mangrove ecosystem
The present analysis revealed that the Sundarban sediment possesses diverse bacterial population
Summary
Sundarban is the world’s largest coastal sediment comprising of mangrove forest which covers about one million hectares in the south-eastern parts of India and southern parts of Bangladesh. Mangroves are known to be highly productive ecosystems and have immense ecological values. They protect and stabilize the costal zones, nourish and nurture the coastal water with nutrients. They play important role as the feeding and breeding areas of many organisms including plants, animals and micro-organisms. The microbial community in the mangrove sediment is strongly influenced by bio-geographical, anthropological and ecological properties. These properties include food web in the ecosystem, nutrient cycling and the presence of organic and inorganic matters
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call