Mangrove Forest Soil Research Articles

Microbacterium mangrovi sp. nov., an amylolytic actinobacterium isolated from mangrove forest soil.

Strain MUSC 115(T) was isolated from mangrove soil of the Tanjung Lumpur river in the state of Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Cells of this strain stained Gram-positive and were non-spore-forming, short rods that formed yellowish-white colonies on different agar media. The taxonomy of strain MUSC 115(T) was studied by a polyphasic approach, and the organism showed a range of phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic properties consistent with those of the genus Microbacterium. The cell-wall peptidoglycan was of type B2β, containing the amino acids ornithine, alanine, glycine, glutamic acid and homoserine. The muramic acid was of the N-glycolyl form. The predominant menaquinones detected were MK-12, MK-13 and MK-11. The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified lipids, three unidentified phospholipids and four unidentified glycolipids. The major fatty acids of the cell membrane were anteiso-C15:0 and anteiso-C17:0. The whole-cell sugars detected were ribose, glucose, mannose and galactose. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, strain MUSC 115(T) showed the highest sequence similarity to Microbacterium immunditiarum SK 18(T) (98.1%), M. ulmi XIL02(T) (97.8%) and M. arborescens DSM 20754(T) (97.5%) and lower sequence similarity to strains of other species of the genus Microbacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments revealed a low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (less than 24%) between strain MUSC 115(T) and the type strains of closely related species. Furthermore, BOX-PCR fingerprint comparison also indicated that strain MUSC 115(T) represented a unique DNA profile. The DNA G+C content determined was 70.9 ± 0.7 mol%, which is lower than that of M. immunditiarum SK 18(T). Based on the combination of genotypic and phenotypic data, it is proposed that strain MUSC 115(T) represents a novel species of the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium mangrovi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MUSC 115(T) ( = MCCC 1K00251(T) = DSM 28240(T) = NBRC 110089(T)).

Oceanobacillus halophilum sp. nov. Isolated from a Mangrove Forest Soil

A halophilic, aerobic bacterium, designated GD01(T), was isolated from a mangrove forest soil near the South China Sea. Cells of strain GD01(T) were Gram staining positive, oxidase positive, and catalase positive. The strain was rod shaped and motile by means of peritrichous flagella and produced ellipsoidal endospores. The strain was able to grow with NaCl at concentrations of 0.5-12 % (optimum 3-5 %, w/v), at temperatures of 20-50 °C (optimum 30 °C), and at pH 6.0-8.5 (optimum pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain GD01(T) formed a cluster with O. profundus DSM 18246(T) (96.4 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), O. caeni KCTC 13061(T) (95.4 %), and O. oncorhynchi JCM 12661(T) (94.5 %). The G+C content of strain GD01(T) was 38.7 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids (>5 %) were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0 (13.7 %), anteiso-C17:0 (12.6 %), iso-C15:0 (9.9 %), iso-C14:0 (9.5 %), and C16:0 (5.0 %). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid, four unknown lipids, and four unknown phospholipids. Based on phenotypic characteristics, chemotaxonomic features, and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the strain was identified to represent a distinct novel species in the genus Oceanobacillus, and the name proposed is Oceanobacillus halophilum sp. nov. with type train GD01(T) (=CCTCC AB 2012863(T) = KCTC 33101(T)).

Microbial populations and activities of mangrove, restinga and Atlantic forest soils from Cardoso Island, Brazil

Mangroves provide a distinctive ecological environment that differentiates them from other ecosystems. This study deal to evaluate the frequency of microbial groups and the metabolic activities of bacteria and fungi isolated from mangrove, restinga and Atlantic forest soils. Soil samples were collected during the summer and winter at depths of 0-2, 2-5 and 5-10 cm. Except for fungi, the counts of the total, sporulating, Gram-negative, actinomycetes, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria decreased significantly in the following order: Atlantic forest >mangrove > restinga. The counts of micro-organisms decreased by 11 and 21% from the surface to the 2-5 and 5-10 cm layers, but denitrifying bacteria increased by 44 and 166%, respectively. A larger growth of micro-organisms was verified in the summer compared with the winter, except for actinomycetes and fungi. The average frequency of bacteria isolated from mangrove, restinga and Atlantic forest soils was 95, 77 and 78%, and 93, 90 and 95% for fungi, respectively. Bacteria were amylolytic (33%), producers of acid phosphatase (79%) and solubilizers (18%) of inorganic phosphate. The proportions of fungi were 19, 90 and 27%. The mangrove soil studied had higher chemical characteristics than the Atlantic forest, but the high salinity may have restricted the growth of microbial populations. Estimates of the microbial counts and activities were important to elucidate the differences of mangrove ecosystem from restinga and Atlantic forest.

Iron and sulfur geochemistry in semi-arid mangrove soils (Ceará, Brazil) in relation to seasonal changes and shrimp farming effluents

Iron and sulfur are key elements in the biogeochemistry of estuarine soils, in which Fe and sulfate reduction (SR) pathways are important for organic matter decomposition. In the semi-arid coast of NE Brazil, mangroves are characterized by large seasonal variations in weather and the presence of numerous shrimp farms. The objective was to determine the impacts of shrimp farm effluents on iron and sulfur geochemistry in mangrove soils under the semi-arid climate of NE Brazil. A seasonal study was made of two mangrove forest soils (SF, a mangrove forest that directly receives wastewater from shrimp ponds and CS, a control site). Pyrite Fe, oxyhydroxides Fe, acid volatile sulfide, degree of pyritization (DOP), pH, Eh, total organic carbon (TOC) and total S were determined. There was a clear decrease in pyritic Fe and DOP in the SF soils, which may be related to the anaerobic oxidation of pyrite coupled with nitrate reduction, or to the dominance of denitrification over SR. Lower TOC contents in the SF site suggest that below ground decomposition increased in response to eutrophication. The seasonal variations led to important changes in the semi-arid mangrove soils. During the dry period, both soils experienced oxidizing conditions with remarkable loss of reduced and oxidized forms of Fe, which may have important environmental implications as Fe is biolimiting for marine primary production. The data show that both factors (seasonal weather variations and shrimp effluents) play important roles in the geochemical processes that occur in these soils and, thus, may affect their functioning and maintenance.

BIOSURFACTANT AS A PESTICIDE CLEANING AGENT IN LEAFY VEGETABLES PRODUCED BY PSEUDOMONAS FLUORESCENS ISOLATED FROM MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM

In this present investigation, biosurfactant was produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens MFS03 isolated from mangrove forest soil using groundnut oil cake as substrate. Characterization of the biosurfactant revealed that, it is a glycolipid with chemical composition of carbohydrate (0.868 mg/ml) and lipid (1.912 mg/ml). Based on the TLC analysis, carbohydrate and lipid with an Rf value of 0.72 were separated and it was partially identified as rhamnolipid. In FT-IR spectral analysis, important absorption bands at 3466.24, 2926.45, 1743.47, 1407.30 and 1162.26 cm-1 indicates the chemical structure is identical to those of rhamnolipids. Biosurfactant was used for the cleanup of insecticide residues in the spinach varieties Amaranthus tricolor. L generally called as Arakkeerai or Killukeerai. The experiment was carried out under in-vitro conditions. Among the different washing solution (Salt, vinegar KMnO4 and biosurfactant) used for the reduction of pesticide residues, biosurfactant solution shows higher reduction. However the amount of biosurfactant and the contact times shows significant role in reducing cypermethrin residues in spinach. Cypermethrin solution with 100ppm concentration was reduced to below 2 ppm, which is safe level using 25 ppm of biosurfactant solution for 5 minutes. The increase in amount of biosurfactant concentration shows decrease in contact time in reducing cypermethrin residues. From this study we concluded that production of biosurfactant using groundnut oil cake is economically low-cost medium and eco-friendly and it can be used as an effective agent to clean up pesticide residues in vegetables and leafy vegetables.

Molecular identification of bacteria present in the soils of the Madhupur Sal and the Sunderban mangrove forests of Bangladesh

The present study aimed at identifying the soil bacterial communities in the Madhupur Sal and the Sunderban mangrove forests, the two important forests of Bangladesh. Soil bacteria were identified through sequencing of PCR?amplified fragments of bacterial 16S rDNA. The results showed that the bacterial communities of the Madhupur Sal forest soils and that of the Sunderban mangrove forest soils differed in the morphology of the cells. Data presented here also showed that the bacterial communities of the Sunderban mangrove forest soils were more diverse than that of the Madhupur Sal forest soils as revealed by phylogenetic tree analysis of the 16S rDNA sequences.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v21i2.11509Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 21(2): 117?123, 2012 (July)

Sphaerisporangium krabiense sp. nov., isolated from soil

A Gram-staining-positive, filamentous bacterial strain, designated A-T 0308(T), was isolated from soil of a tropical mangrove forest in Thailand. Strain A-T 0308(T) developed spherical sporangia containing non-motile spores on aerial mycelium. The novel strain contained meso-diaminopimelic acid, N-acetyl-type peptidoglycan and madurose, mannose, ribose, galactose and glucose as whole-cell sugars. The predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H(4)) and MK-9(H(6)); a small amount of MK-9(H(2)) and MK-9 was also detected. Mycolic acids were not detected. The diagnostic phospholipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and phosphoglycolipid. The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(16:0) and 10-methylated C(17:0). The G+C content of the DNA was 72 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses showed that the novel isolate had characteristics typical of members of the genus Sphaerisporangium. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis also indicated that the strain belongs to the genus Sphaerisporangium and that it represents a clade distinct from other members of the genus with sequence similarities ranging from 96.3 to 97.8% between the novel strain and its closest relatives. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic studies, strain A-T 0308(T) (=BCC 21702(T) =NBRC 107571(T)) represents a novel species of the genus Sphaerisporangium, for which the name Sphaerisporangium krabiense sp. nov. is proposed.

Depth profile exploration of enzyme activity and culturable microbial community from the oxygen-starved soil of Sundarban mangrove forest, India

Populations of culturable microbes and activities of dehydrogenase & ?-D glucosidase were found maximum in surface soil and decreased with increase in depth in Sundarban mangrove environment.The maximum (13.529 X 106 C.F.U g-1 dry weight of soil) and minimum (11.547 X 106 C.F.U g-1 dry weight of soil) total microbial popu- lations in surface soil were recorded during po- st-monsoon and monsoon respectively. At 60 cm depth, the lower (6.396 X 106 C.F.U g-1 dry weight of soil) and higher (8.003 X 106 C.F.U g-1 dry weight of soil) numbers of total microbial populations were observed during monsoon and post-monsoon respectively. A decreasing trend of total microbial load, enzyme activities and nutrient status with organic carbon were found with increase in depth throughout the year. Present study revealed the relationship among depth integrated variations of physico-chemical compo- nents (viz. soil temperature, pH, moisture, orga- nic-C, .nitrogen, and available-P) and microbial populations as well as activity of dehydrogenase and ?-D glucosidase enzymes.

Comparison of Selected Soil Chemical Properties of Two Different Mangrove Forests in Sarawak

Problem statement: Despite few studies of forest health and environmental conditions of mangrove forest in Sarawak, the data was not sufficient to facilitate baseline data and direct comparison of mangrove forest health obtained for different location of mangrove forest in Sarawak. On this regard, determination of contemporary mangrove soil condition was essential to addressing mangrove forest for forest health, carbon storage and environmental balance. The study attempts to obtained preliminary database of mangrove forest soil chemical properties and to compare the forest health from two different mangrove forest locations. Approach: Mangrove soil samples were taken from Miri and Limbang Division of Sarawak at 0-30 cm depth. Selected soil chemical properties were determined and data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Version 9.2. Results: The soil acidity, total N, total P, CEC and humic acid of both locations were significantly different while in terms of total carbon and organic matter were similar. Conclusion: Regional diversity has significant effects the soil acidity, total N, total P, CEC and yield of the study areas. Data obtained can be useful for further study of carbon stock and nutrient content.

Are mangrove forest substrates sediments or soils? A case study in southeastern Brazil

Morphological and analytical data corresponding to several profiles from two mangrove systems in the Brazilian state of São Paulo were examined for evidence of pedogenetic processes. Plant activity exerted a strong effect on the processes occurring in mangrove substrates, especially on the intensity of these processes and, therefore, constitutes one of the major factors involved in the differentiation of sediments and soils. Colonization of substrates by vascular plants leads to drastic changes in physicochemical conditions. The redox processes were much more diverse in the soil than in the sediment (substrate without vegetation); in the former they varied with depth, with oxic or suboxic conditions being observed at the surface and anoxic conditions observed below 30 cm, whereas in the sediment, anoxic conditions were observed throughout. Likewise, the acid–base conditions were more variable in the soils, ranging from strongly acid to neutral, and in the sediment they were close to neutral. Furthermore, different pedogenetic processes were identified: (1) addition of organic matter by accumulation of vegetable debris and dead roots, with formation – in some cases – of a histic epipedon, (2) transfer of soluble iron (Fe 2+) towards the surface and precipitation in the form of Fe oxyhydroxide, and transfer of the mineral particles due to the bioturbation caused by activity of crabs, (3) transformation of elements such as iron (gleization) and sulphur (sulphidization). Changes undergone in the mangrove substrates were also characterized by simultaneity and intergradations between pedogenesis and diagenesis, especially in the lowermost layers in which authigenesis appears to intensify. Thus, the presence of smectite minerals in the clay fraction may be attributed to authigenic processes that take place in both soils and sediments.

Mangrove forest type and soil salinity in the semi arid area, Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

Mangrove forest type and soil salinity in the semi arid area, Yucatan peninsula, Mexico

A conceptual model of ecological interactions in the mangrove estuaries of the Florida Everglades

A brackish water ecotone of coastal bays and lakes, mangrove forests, salt marshes, tidal creeks, and upland hammocks separates Florida Bay, Biscayne Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico from the freshwater Everglades. The Everglades mangrove estuaries are characterized by salinity gradients that vary spatially with topography and vary seasonally and inter-annually with rainfall, tide, and freshwater flow from the Everglades. Because of their location at the lower end of the Everglades drainage basin, Everglades mangrove estuaries have been affected by upstream water management practices that have altered the freshwater heads and flows and that affect salinity gradients. Additionally, interannual variation in precipitation patterns, particularly those caused to El Niño events, control freshwater inputs and salinity dynamics in these estuaries. Two major external drivers on this system are water management activities and global climate change. These drivers lead to two major ecosystem stressors: reduced freshwater flow volume and duration, and sea-level rise. Major ecological attributes include mangrove forest production, soil accretion, and resilience; coastal lake submerged aquatic vegetation; resident mangrove fish populations; wood stork (Mycteria americana) and roseate spoonbill (Platelea ajaja) nesting colonies; and estuarine crocodilian populations. Causal linkages between stressors and attributes include coastal transgression, hydroperiods, salinity gradients, and the “white zone” freshwater/estuarine interface. The functional estuary and its ecological attributes, as influenced by sea level and freshwater flow, must be viewed as spatially dynamic, with a possible near-term balancing of transgression but ultimately a long-term continuation of inland movement. Regardless of the spatio-temporal timing of this transgression, a salinity gradient supportive of ecologically functional Everglades mangrove estuaries will be required to maintain the integrity of the South Florida ecosystem.

Changes in mangrove forest soils: a comparison between cultured and naturally inundated conditions

A study was carried out in three shrimp farms in a natural mangrove area at the southeastern part of Bangladesh that dealt mainly with the changes in mangrove soil characteristics in both cultured and naturally inundated conditions. Some noticeable changes were observed in case of soil pH, sulfate sulfur(SO4-S) and extractable aluminium (Al) where, soil pH has shown a negative correlation with the other two parameters. Al concentration reached its minimum 145 days after pond preparation (DAP) proving that flooding for longer periods reduced the possibility of acid and Al toxicity. Extractable sodium (Na) and potassium (K) gradually increased in the cultured ponds while in the inundated ponds, Na concentration remained stable but K increased significantly at the end of the study period. Results of the present study indicate that shrimp farming in an already depleted mangrove forest helps to improve soil quality but still, other management and environmental concerns related to intensive shrimp culture are unavoidable and should be taken into account before promoting such activities in mangrove areas. It is recommended that shrimp culture zone be established beyond the mangrove fringe where possible, to enable mangroves to buffer aquaculture effluent.

Patterns of Mangrove Forest Structure and Soil Nutrient Dynamics along the Shark River Estuary, Florida

The basal area and productivity of managrove wetlands are described in relation to selected soil properties to understand the general pattern of optimum forest stature at the mouth of estuaries in the Everglades, such as the Shark River Slough, Florida (U.S.). The basal area of mangroves decreases from 40.4 m2 ha−1 and 39.7 m2 ha−1 at two stations 1.8 km and 4.1 km from the estuary mouth to 20.7 m2 ha−1 and 19.6 m2 ha−1 at two sites 9.9 km and 18.2 km from the mouth, respectively. The gradient in basal area at these four sites is mostly the result of approximately 34 yr of growth since Hurricane Donna. Wood productivity is higher in the lower estuary (10.7 Mg ha−1 yr−1 and 12.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1) than in the upper estuary (3.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1 and 4.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Porewater salinity among these four mangrove sites during seasonal sampling in 1994 and 1995 ranged from 1.6 g kg−1 to 33.5 g kg−1, while sulfide was generally<0.15 mM at all sites. These soil values indicate that abiotic stress cannot explain the decrease in forest structure along this estuarine gradient. Concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are more closely related to patterns of forest development, with higher soil fertility at the mouth of the estuary as indicated by higher concentrations of extractable ammonium, total soil P, and available P, along with higher ammonium production rates. The more fertile sites of the lower estuary are dominated by Laguncularia racemosa, whereas the less fertile sites in the intermediate and upper estuary are dominated by Rhizophora mangle. Relative N mineralization per unit of total N is higher in the lower estuary and is related positively to concentrations of available P, indicating the importance of turnover rates and nutrient interactions to soil fertility. Concentrations of Ca-bound P per volume soil in the lower estuary is 40-fold higher than in the upper estuary, and along with an increase in residual P in the upper estuary, indicate a shift from mineral to organic P along the estuarine gradient. Mineral inputs to the mouth of Shark River estuary from the Gulf of Mexico (rather than upland inputs) apparently control the patterns of mangrove structure and productivity.

Distribution and Abundance of Grapsid Crabs (Grapsidae) in a Mangrove Estuary: Effects of Sediment Characteristics, Salinity Tolerances, and Osmoregulatory Ability

Crabs (Grapsidae,Sesarma) are the dominant macrofaunal group of mangrove forest soils in northern Australia. Little is known about the ecology of these crabs or the factors that influence their distribution in mangrove forests. Pitfall traps were used to sample grapsid crabs in the Murray River estuary in north Queensland. Sampling was conducted at five sites along a salinity gradient from 35‰ at the river mouth. At each site, trapping was done in both low and high intertidal forests. We characterized the sediments at each site by measuring percent sand, silt, clay and organic matter, Eh, pH, and soil pore-water salinity. Four species of grapsids dominated the crab fauna along the Murray River (Sesarma semperi-longicristatum, S. messa, S. brevicristatum, andS. brevipes). Distinct zonation patterns were found along the salinity gradient and between high and low intertidal forests.S. messa was dominant in high intertidal, downstream forests, high and low intertidal forests in the middle to downstream portion of the river, and in low intertidal forests in the central reach of the river.S. brevipes was dominant in both low and high intertidal zone forests at low salinity upstream sites.S. brevicristatum was most abundant in the central reaches of the river and only in the high intertidal zone.S. semperi-longicristatum was found only in the low intertidal zone, downstream forest. Subsequently, tests of salinity tolerances of these crabs were carried out in the laboratory. These indicated very wide tolerances over salinities from completely fresh to hypersaline (60‰). The osmoregulatory abilities of the crabs were also found to vary. However, neither their salinity tolerance nor osmoregulatory ability adequately explain the zonation patterns were measured in the field. For example,S. brevicristatum had the most restricted distribution, but it had the second broadest salinity tolerance and osmoregulatory ability. Sediment characteristics explained a significant amount of the variation in abundance for two of the crab species. Pore-water salinity provided no explanatory power for any of the species. Individual species abundances are probably influenced by additional factors such as interspecific competition and predation.

Oviposition Preferences of Aedes taeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Florida Mangrove Forests

Ovipositional preferences of Aedes taeniorhynchus (Wiedemann) in south Florida mangrove basin forests were measured by eggshell sampling and compared with several site characteristics. Mangrove basin forest geomorphology (elevation mean, standard deviation, range, and basin spillover elevation), soil (litter standing crop, soil bulk density, and percentage organic matter), and vegetation (total absolute dominance and vegetative association) were quantified and correlated with eggshell density at 34 sites. The only significant ( P < 0.05) variables (basin spillover elevation, elevation range) accounted for 58% of the variability of eggshell density using a piecewise regression model. These data indicated that any mangrove basin forest, regardless of vegetative association, Hooded by <14% of the highest daily tides, can potentially produce A. taeniorhynchus . Including data from operational surveys, nearly 50% of the sites sampled ( n = 89) contained sufficient eggshells (0.05 per cubic centimeter) to produce significant larval broods. Sites flooded only by storm tides were especially productive, with high upland eggshell densities indicated oviposition even when mangrove plains were flooded.