New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Molecular analysis of bacterial communities in groundwaters from selected wells
in the Hutt Valley and the Wairarapa, New Zealand
Margo van Bekkum1,2
James P. Sainsbury1
Christopher J. Daughney3
Geoffrey K. Chambers1
1Institute for Molecular Systematics
School of Biological Sciences
Victoria University of Wellington
P.O. Box 600
Wellington, New Zealand
2Dental Research Department
Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences
University of Otago
P.O. Box 7343
Wellington South, New Zealand
3Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited
P.O. Box 30368
Lower Hutt, New Zealand
email: c.daughney@gns.cri.nz
Abstract This study constitutes the first attempt to examine the
microbial diversity in New Zealand groundwater samples using a culture- and
cloning-independent technique. In this investigation, 18 distinct terminal
restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) peak profiles were generated
from groundwater samples collected from various sites and aquifers in the Hutt
Valley and the Wairarapa. Most peak profiles were similar, implying only small
differences in microbial community structure in the groundwater samples collected,
and relatively low microbial diversity compared to non-aquifer water samples.
Nonetheless, subtle but systematic differences in T-RFLP peak profiles were
observed between the aquifers and, in some instances, for groundwater samples
collected at different locations within a single aquifer. Differences in the
peak profiles appeared to be related to groundwater chemistry, particularly
to concentrations of iron, manganese, nitrogen, and sulfur.
Keywords groundwater; bacteria; biodiversity; terminal restriction
fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP)
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2006, Vol. 40:
91–106
0028–8330/06/4001–0091 © The Royal Society
of New Zealand 2006
M05043; Online publication date 9 February 2006 Received 11 July 2005;
accepted 8 October 2005
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