Analysis of bacterial community structure in toluene degradation by a halophilic consortium

A halophilic bacterial consortium that could degrade BTEX (benzene, tolunene, ethybenzene, xylene) at the salinity of 5% was enriched from oil-contaminated saline soil. Bacterial community structure dynamics in toluene degradation by the consortium was analyzed. The consortium could degrade 200 mg/L toluene at the salinity of 5%. PCR-DGGE profiles revealed that with toluene addition, the predominant species shifted from Bacillus sp. and Bacillus aquimaris to Thalassospira xiamenensis, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Virgibacillus sp. as well as Bacillus sp., four of which remained stable during the degradation process and the following 24h when toluene was depleted. In addition, the consortium could degrade phenanthrene, illustrating its versatility in utilizing aromatic hydrocarbons.