Abstract:

This dataset contains values for abundance denitrifying bacteria collected from 13 marshes in Terrebonne Bay (TB), western Barataria Bay (WB), and eastern Barataria Bay (EB), LA. In TB and EB we sampled two oiled marshes and two unoiled marshes, and in WB we sampled three oiled marshes and two unoiled marshes. At each marsh, we collected 5-cm deep soil cores along a 20-m transect from the marsh edge and collecting soil samples every 5 m. Each sample was analyzed for abundance of denitrifying bacteria by targeting the nitrite reductase gene (nirS). Marshes were sampled in July 2012.

Suggested Citation:

Bernhard, Anne. 2016. Abundance of denitrifying bacteria in Louisiana salt marshes two years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (July 2012). Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/N7HX19N0

Purpose:

This dataset was developed as part of a research project investigating the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on salt marsh biogeochemistry and microbial ecology. This particular project was directed to determine: 1) if there was a significant impact of oil on abundance of denitrifying microbial communities; and 2) if there were spatial (regional, within marsh) or temporal patterns in their distribution.

Data Parameters and Units:

Region- identifies the region (TB for Terrebonne Bay, WB for western Barataria Bay, EB for eastern Barataria Bay) Site - four sites within each region, except for WB where there are 5 Plot number - four plots at each site that are increasing distance from marsh edge (1 = 5 m, 2 = 10 m, 3 = 15 m, 4 = 20 m) oil status- oiled indicates sites that received Macondo oil Abundance of nirS genes is reported in copy numbers/ gram dry weight of sediment. TB 1 29.29297 -90.604939 TB 2 29.2915 -90.602824 TB 3 29.304486 -90.565818 TB 4 29.2964 -90.549793 WB 1 29.288949 -90.042667 WB 2 29.265837 -90.024864 WB 3 29.2801 -89.975833 WB 4 29.276533 -89.97535 WB 5 29.302883 -89.9707917 EB 1 29.491204 -89.911325 EB 2 29.491325 -89.907681 EB 3 29.462317 -89.872867 EB 4 29.453856 -89.866346

Methods:

Gene abundances were measured for denitrifying bacteria using the nirS gene. Abundances were measured using real-time PCR with primers nirS1F and nirS3R.

Instruments:

R eal-time PCR was carried out on an iCycler (BioRad).

Individual Files: