Mercury-Resistant Bacteria Associated With Macrophytes from A Polluted Lake

Although Onondaga Lake in the Syracuse NY area is contaminated with high levels of mercury from past manufacturing operations, macrophytes in the lake have been able to survive, apparently withstanding mercury toxicity. Homogenates of three macrophyte species, Myriophyllum spicatum L., Potamogeton crispus L., and Stuckenia pectinata (L.) Borner, were phenotypically positive for the presence of mercury resistant bacteria. As determined by PCR analysis, the mercury resistant bacteria associated with M. spicatum and S. pectinata also possessed merA, one of the more widely studied essential genes in the mer operon. Analysis of 24 macrophyte taxa isolated from lakes across the United States, as well as biological supply houses, showed that mercury resistant bacteria were associated with all macrophytes. One possible explanation for the association of mercury resistant bacteria with macrophytes is described. This hypothesis suggests that Hg^sup r^ bacteria may potentially ameliorate the negative effects that mercury elicits in macrophytes.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]