Effect of hybrid poplar trees on microbial populations important to hazardous waste bioremediation

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Date: 
Monday, October 26, 2009
Author(s): 
James L. Jordahl
Lesley Foster
Jerald L. Schnoor
Pedro J.J. Alvarez
Journal Title: 
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Abstract: 

Microbial concentrations of denitrifiers, pseudomonads, and monoaromatic petroleum hydrocarbon (BTX) degraders were significantly higher (p < 0.1) in soil samples from the rhizosphere of poplar trees than in adjacent agricultural soils, and atrazine degraders were found only in one rhizosphere sample. The relative abundance of these phenotypes (as a fraction of total heterotrophs) was not significantly different between rhizosphere and surrounding soils. Therefore, the poplar rhizosphere enhanced the growth of microbial populations that participate in natural bioremediation without exerting selective pressure for them.

Citation: 

Jordahl, James L., Lesley Foster, Jerald L. Schnoor, and Pedro JJ Alvarez. "Effect of hybrid poplar trees on microbial populations important to hazardous waste bioremediation." Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 16, no. 6 (1997): 1318-1321. DOI: 10.1002/etc.5620160630