A review of: Sánchez-Porro, C., Kaur, B., Mann, H., and Ventosa, A. (2010) Halomonas titanicae sp. nov., a halophilic bacterium isolated from the RMS Titanic. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 60:2768-2774
A new species of bacterium isolated from the RMS titanic is described in this paper. The bacterium was isolated from the rusticles on the ship, bioconcretious structures that look like icicles but are formed from oxidised iron. Various microorganisms live within these structures, which are the by-product of the microorganisms effectively feeding off the metal of the ship.
In this study, the authors used phylogenetic analysis alongside other methods including obtaining 16s rRNA though PCR to perform a BLAST search in order to try and identify the strain. The results of these methods showed that the strain isolated was most closely related to the genus Halomonas. Its most closely related species included Halomonas neptunia (98.6% sequence similarity), Halomonas variabilis (98.4%), Halomonas boliviensis (98.3%) and Halomonas sulfidaeris (97.5%), amongst others confirming it belonged in the Halomonas genus. However, several important differences, including phenotypic and chemotaxonomic differences features that confirmed the strain was a separate and distinct species not previously identified. The paper goes on to describe the new bacterium in detail.
The genus halomonas is heterogeneous, containing more than 60 species to date and are a member of the salt-loving Halomonadaceae family which are able to grow at salinities of 5 - 10% and who are considered generally non-pathogenic aerobes. The new bacterium is also gram negative, flagellated and motile.The discovery of this new bacterium is of particular interest as it may contribute more to the understanding of the mechanisms of rusticles, how they form etc. It also can have wider implications in understanding how to protect other submerged metal structures such as oil pipeline, oil rigs and the disposal of ships at sea for example.
Additional reference: BBC. (06/12/2010). New species of bacteria found in Titanic 'rusticles'.Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11926932.
7 comments:
Hi Rachel,
Interesting review and great timing. I think today is the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Its such an interesting story but I just cant stand the movie (with Leonardo di Caprio etc)...I hope they dont keep replaying it on TV in the coming days because it is just simply awful. :)They have now brought it out on 3D in the cinemas to 'cash in'...tut tut.
With this year being the centenary of the sinking of the RMS titanic, it has been prevalent in the news. I read an article regarding the weakening of the wreck due to these 'metal-eating' bacteria and found the idea that the wreck is effectively retaining some of its structure (albeit precariously) through the formation of these 'rusticles' as a by-product of the bacterial degredation of the ship fascinating, as well as the mechanism of the formation of these 'rusticles' itself. Unfortunately there is not much research and it is still poorly understood but hopefully there is further research to come.
Mario, if I could 'like' that comment, I would. :) There is something fascinating about the Titanic story, both in its history and in its gradual degradation and general condition as a wreck (if that makes sense).
I see interesting perhaps we should write the musical and cash in etc and fund research :-), Mario you would make a great Jack
This is amazing - apparently you really can eat everything these days, or bacteria can anyway! Rachelle I agree with you about it being incredible that the titanic has managed to maintain its structure at all, and especially with these 'rusticles'.
I also hate the Titanic film by the way, though I can appreciate that the film is a good interpretation of what some of the people aboard could have gone through when disaster struck.
If you make a musical, I want to see it!
It appears they do! :)
I've also decided that I quite like the word 'rusticles'.
If there's going to be a musical, i'm in! (but not literally)
This was a great paper to read!
I have to agree with you on the use of the word rusticles too!
The points raised about the bacteria posing a threat to other metallic structures are well aimed and it would be very interesting to see further studies done on these structures.
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