Phylogenetic analysis of bacterial populations in an anaerobic microbial consortium capable of degrading saturation concentrations of tetrachloroethylene.

An anaerobic microbial consortium able to biodegrade saturation levels of perchloroethylene (PCE) in a column containing a source zone of PCE was examined phylogenetically to determine microbial community structure and spatial variation in relation to the PCE source. The consortium was comprised of at least 34 members with 7 organisms sharing affiliations with known respiratory or cometabolic dechlorinators. Seven other organisms had their closest phylogenetic relative detected in other environments containing chlorinated compounds. Based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, significant Bacteria were Dehalococcoides ethenogenes, Shewanella putrefaciens, and an Acetobacterium species. Spatial variations in community structure of the consortium relative to the PCE source zone were observed. A Pseudomonas species was predominant in a zone 30 cm from the PCE source. A Methanothrix species was predominant at points over 85 cm from the source zone. A Trichlorobacter species was detected where PCE concentrations were highest, up to 85 cm from the PCE source, whereas D. ethenogenes was ubiquitous to over 128 cm from the PCE source.