The Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Methanogens in the Sediments of Dianchi Lake by Fluorescence Quantitative PCR

PurposeTo study the abundance and distribution characteristics of methanogens abundance in the sediments of Dianchi.

MethodThe sediments were collected from 4 different non-point source contaminated areas in Caohai and Waihai of Dianchi Lake. The distribution characteristics of methanogen abundance was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR procedure, of which included the sediment DNA extraction, PCR amplification and product purification, plasmid construction and positive verification, and production of standard curve.

ResultsThe abundance of methanogenes in the sediments of Dianchi Lake ranged from 5.91×10⁷-7.74×10⁸ copies/g. The copy number of methanogenic was significantly different in each sampling area (F=10.3006, P=0.0012), and their spatial distribution characteristics, that is, the central part of Waihai>southern part of Waihai>Caohai>northern part of Waihai (P<0.05).

ConclusionDianchi Lake sediments had a high methaneogen abundance and spatital heterogeneous, the abundances of methanogens in the middle part (adjacent to the agricultural non-point source pollution area) and south part (adjacent to the phosphorus and potassium plant) of the Waihai were significantly higher than that in the Caohai and north of Waihai (algae enriched area).