Pontchartrain Basin Clearinghouse

Project

Project Title:

Assessment of Domestic and Agricultural Runoff in the Northern Boundaries of the Lake Pontchartrain Drainage Basin: A Survey of the Fecal Pollution Indicator Levels in the Tributaries and Lake Water and the Impact of Storm Water Runoff

Principal Investigator(s):

Gary W. Childers, Gary T. Howard and Chris Schulz

Project Location:

Northern Boundaries of the Lake Pontchartrain Drainage Basin

Project Description

The impact of sampling season and habitat on the archaeal assemblages from six sites selected along a salinity gradient of Lake Pontchartrain basin were evaluated by analyzing 16S rDNA. Fingerprinting analysis using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) suggested that sampling season and habitat were major determinants of community structure. Phylogenetic analysis revealed season and site specific clusters. The estimated number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for July sampling was higher than November, correlating with MPNs for both acetoclastic (MPNA) and hydrogenotrophic (MPNH) methanogens. The number of OTUs for top sediment was higher than the bottom and the water column. However, differences in OTU did not result in differences in Chao I richness index and Shannon-Weaver diversity index. These results suggest that sampling season and habitat affect archaeal communities in the Lake Pontchartrain basin. Although, some clusters are ubiquitous, others decline below detection limit due to seasonal changes.

 

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