Silent Bioremediation: the Contribution of Bacteria to the Sediments of Faro Lake (italy)

Abstract Book of the 6th World Conference on Climate Change and Global Warming

Year: 2025

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Silent Bioremediation: the Contribution of Bacteria to the Sediments of Faro Lake (italy)

Maria Genovese, Lunetta Alessia, Caruso Gabriella, Giacobbe Salvatore, Specchiulli Antonietta, Scirocco Tommaso, Renzi Monia, D'amore Antonella, Cappello Simone

ABSTRACT:

Lake floor-sediments act as natural reservoirs for contaminants and support microbial communities that contribute to ecosystem functioning. This study investigates the biotechnological potential of floor sediment-associated bacteria from Faro Lake (Messina, Italy), a transitional coastal environment exposed to moderate anthropogenic pressure due to geographical position surrounding by the urbanization as their channels. The sediment–water interface plays a central role in regulating chemical and biological exchanges, influencing microbial activity and pollutant dynamics. Sediments collected from five stations selected to cover the entire surface of the lake, were analyzed for hydrocarbon contamination. To explore microbial degradative capabilities, microcosms enriched with tetradecane, phenanthrene and crude oil were set up, using hydrocarbons as sole carbon sources. After long incubation (80 days), measures of microbial abundance (DAPI, CFU and MPN count) were carried out. Out of 25 isolates, 16 were taxonomically identified via 16S rRNA gene sequencing as hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, including Isoalcanivorax pacificus, Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus, Pseudoalteromonas spp., and Vibrio alginolyticus. Emulsifying activity (E24, %) were carried out for each strain under the study. Percentages of 60% (Pseudoalteromonas spp), 50% (Stappia indica) and 44% (Vibrio alginolyticus) are among the highest percentages recorded.
These results suggest that even in relatively low-contaminated environments, native microbial communities act as a “microbial seed bank,” ready to respond to pollution events. This highlights their potential application in bioremediation strategies for transitional and coastal ecosystems. Considering the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and global warming, the understanding of microbial adaptability and their biotechnological potential in such environments becomes increasingly relevant.

Keywords: Bioremediation, Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria, Lake Sediments, Microcosms.