Abstract Ionic and organic forms of mercury (Hg)
are powerful cytotoxic and neurotoxic agents in both
humans and wild life. The aim of this study was to
analyze the resistance profile and potential detoxification
of inorganic and organic forms of Hg of bacteria
isolated from marine sponges on the coast of Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. Out of the 1,236 colony forming units
associated with eleven species of marine sponges, 100
morphologically different bacterial strains were analyzed
in this study. Of these, 21 strains were resistant
to Hg, 14 of which were classified as highly resistant
because they grew despite exposure to 100 lMHgCl2.
Fifteen resistant strains reduced Hg and presented
merA in their genomes. The remaining six strains
produced biosurfactants, suggesting that they may
tolerate Hg by sequestration. Eleven strains grew in
the presence of methylmercury. Our results suggest a
potential for mercury detoxification by marine
sponge-associated resistant bacteria, either through
reduction or sequestration, as well as the possibility of
bioremediation of toxic waste containing mercury.
Keywords Bioremediation Marine environment
Mercury resistance Sponge-associated bacteria
HgCl2 and MeHg contamination
Introduction
Marine sponges are ecologically diverse
Abstract Ionic and organic forms of mercury (Hg)
are powerful cytotoxic and neurotoxic agents in both
humans and wild life. The aim of this study was to
analyze the resistance profile and potential detoxification
of inorganic and organic forms of Hg of bacteria
isolated from marine sponges on the coast of Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. Out of the 1,236 colony forming units
associated with eleven species of marine sponges, 100
morphologically different bacterial strains were analyzed
in this study. Of these, 21 strains were resistant
to Hg, 14 of which were classified as highly resistant
because they grew despite exposure to 100 lMHgCl2.
Fifteen resistant strains reduced Hg and presented
merA in their genomes. The remaining six strains
produced biosurfactants, suggesting that they may
tolerate Hg by sequestration. Eleven strains grew in
the presence of methylmercury. Our results suggest a
potential for mercury detoxification by marine
sponge-associated resistant bacteria, either through
reduction or sequestration, as well as the possibility of
bioremediation of toxic waste containing mercury.
Keywords Bioremediation Marine environment
Mercury resistance Sponge-associated bacteria
HgCl2 and MeHg contamination
Introduction
Marine sponges are ecologically diverse
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