Aminobacter sp. MSH1 invades sand filter community biofilms while retaining 2,6-dichlorobenzamide degradation functionality under C- and N-limiting conditions.

Aminobacter sp. MSH1 is of interest for bioaugmentation of biofiltration units in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) due to its ability to degrade the groundwater micropollutant 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM). Using a continuous flow chamber biofilm model, MSH1 was previously shown to colonize surfaces and degrade BAM at trace concentrations as low as 1 μg/L under the oligotrophic conditions found in DWTPs. In DWTP filtration units, MSH1 has to compete with the resident biofilm microbiota for space and nutrients. Using the same model, we examined how a sand filter community (SFC) affects MSH1's BAM-degrading activity and biofilm formation under C- and N-limiting conditions when fed with trace concentrations of BAM. MSH1 was inoculated simultaneously with the SFC (co-colonization mode) or after the SFC formed a biofilm (invasion mode). MSH1 successfully established in the SFC biofilm showing growth and activity. In co-colonization mode, MSH1 decreased in number in the presence of the SFC and formed isolated colonies, while specific BAM-degradation activity increased. In the invasion mode, MSH1 also decreased in numbers in the presence of the SFC but formed mixed colonies, while specific BAM degradation was unaffected. Our results show that MSH1 invades and performs successfully in an SFC biofilm under the oligotrophic conditions of DWTPs.