Thermophilic aerobic organoheterotrophic soil bacteria from anthropogenically changed territories of Saint Petersburg and Leningrad region

Abstract

Anthropogenically altered soils of Saint Petersburg and Luga (Leningrad Region) were investigated for the presence of thermophilic aerobic chemoorganoheterotrophic bacteria, potentially capable of decomposing hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures (60 C). 6 strains of pure spore-forming cultures of bacteria were isolated. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA genes showed that they belong to the genera Geobacillus and Aeribacillus. For the first time, we obtained information on the presence of representatives of the genus Aeribacillus, which are typical inhabitants of hot springs and zones with geothermal activity, in the soils of the regions of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.