Effect of pumping on the spatio-temporal distribution of microbial communities in a water well field

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 46; no. 4; pp. 1286 - 1300
• Main Authors: Medihala, P.G., Lawrence, J.R., Swerhone, G.D.W., Korber, D.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15-03-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; aquifers; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - growth & development; bacterial communities; Biofilm; Biofilms - growth & development; Colony Count, Microbial; community structure; confocal laser scanning microscopy; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE); Exact sciences and technology; Fouling; Fungi - genetics; Fungi - growth & development; Gene Dosage - genetics; Geobacter; hydrochemistry; iron; manganese; Methylobacter; Microbial community; Molecular Sequence Data; Pollution; Principal Component Analysis; Principal Components Analysis (PCA); quantitative polymerase chain reaction; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rhodobacter; rivers; Rivers - microbiology; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S - genetics; Saskatchewan; screening; sediments; sequence analysis; Sequence Analysis, DNA; spatial variation; temporal variation; Time Factors; Water Microbiology; water quality; Water treatment and pollution; Water Wells - microbiology; Well pumping; Saskatchewan; Canada; North America; America; Biofilm; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE); Fouling; Microbial community; Principal Components Analysis (PCA); Well pumping; Microbial activity; Sulfur compounds; Harbor; Confocal microscopy; Zerovalent metal; Iron; Urban area; Sulfates; Time variation; Aquifers; Water well; Pumping; Bacteria; Stream; Ground water; Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis; Sediments; Heavy metal; Polymerase chain reaction; Trace element; Screening; Hydrochemistry; Spatial distribution; Surface water; Water quality; Principal component analysis; Manganese
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.12.036

A water well field adjacent to the North Saskatchewan River (City of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada) with a history of rapid deterioration of both well water quality and yield was selected to study the spatial and temporal distribution of subsurface microbial communities and their response to water pumping. A range of conventional cultural, microscopic and molecular techniques, including confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), Biolog, qPCR and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), was used during this study. Redox data and water and sediment chemistry showed that the aquifer was anoxic and harbored substantial amounts of Fe and Mn. CLSM analyses of incubated coupons indicated extensive biofilm growth in the zone immediately surrounding the well and was coincident with reduced water well yield. PCR screening and qPCR analyses showed that the potential for iron- and sulfate-reducing activity increased with proximity to the well. Bacterial communities inhabiting the zone closest to the well showed the greatest changes and differences in metabolic activities and composition as revealed by PCA (Principal Components Analysis) of the Biolog and DGGE data. The sequence analysis of all the samples revealed that
Sulfuricurvum spp.,
Methylobacter spp.,
Geobacter spp. and
Rhodobacter spp. were most commonly detected in this aquifer. Overall the findings demonstrated that the microbial numbers, metabolic activities and the community composition changed in response to water pumping but effects did not extend beyond 1–2
m zone from the well.
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► The aquifer had abundant concentrations of Fe and Mn in water and sediments. ► Aquifer microbial community structure and function varied with time and space. ► Pumping most-strongly influenced microbial processes within the 1–2
m zone.