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Analysis of soil samples for human comensal micro-organism to determine the degree of human induced microbial contamination of heavily used regions

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Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: Unknown
Publication_Date: Unknown
Title: Analysis of soil samples for human comensal micro-organism to determine the degree of human induced microbial contamination of heavily used regions

Description:

Abstract:: Mineral soils from the immediate vicinity of field campsites in the Wright Valley, Miers Valley and Bratina Island campsites were sampled daily during occupation. The samples were analysed with PCR based methods using a range of genus- and species-specific DNA primers to detect human commensal microbiota. The aim was to monitor the rate and degree of contamination of heavily impacted regions by human activities. Pristine samples were recovered from relatively inaccessible sites high on the eastern wall of the valleys. Ornithogenic soils were sampled from various sites in the Adele penguin colony at Cape Crozier for comparative microbial diversity studies as these samples could be valuable negative controls for the 'non-indigenous' microorganisms study, for confirming that positive signals with particular sets are not the result of cross-reactivity with microbial species that are carried by higher eukaryotes other than humans. Samples of gravel were also collected from heavily impacted sites at Scott Base and McMurdo station as these samples serve as positive controls for the non-indigenous microorganisms. An additional sample was obtained from a Scott Base vaccum cleaner. Gravel samples were also collected from the doorway entrance to Shackleton's Hut at Cape Royds and Scotts Hut at Hut Point.
Purpose:: Not Available
Supplemental_Information:: REFERENCE: Ah Tow, L. Cowan, D.A. 2003 Non-specificity of Staphylococcus generic primers. Microbiology 149(7): 1605-1607
Supplemental_Information:: REFERENCE: Cowan, D.A. Ah Tow, L. , 2005 Dissemination and survival of non-indigenous bacterial genomes in pristine Antarctic environments. Extremophiles 9(5): 385-389
Supplemental_Information:: REFERENCE: Baker, G.C. Ah Tow, L. Cowan, D.A. 2003 PCR-based detection of non-indigenous microorganisms in 'pristine' environments. Journal of microbiological methods 53: 157-164

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Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 20020127
Ending_Date: 20020206

Currentness_Reference:Unknown

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed

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