ABSTRACT
A DNA-microarray for the detection and characterisation of microbial communities involved in degradation of organic pollutants in contaminated groundwater plumes was developed and tested. Universal PCR primers were used to amplify the 5′ region of Bacteria and Archaea 16S rRNA-genes from groundwater total DNA. Amplification products were fluorescently labeled and hybridized to the prototype microarray, which consisted of 78 16S rRNA genetargeted oligonucleotide probes for simultaneous detection of Bacteria-and Archaea-families. The results of this study demonstrate that DNA microarray technology facilitates the fast and efficient analysis of complex microbial communities in methodological challenging habitats such as contaminated groundwater. Hence, DNA-microarray technology is applicable for monitoring natural attenuation (NA) in contaminated groundwater.
