MIcrobes from seabird faeces to evaluate hreavy metal contamination in antarctic region

This study evaluates the levels of heavy metal pollution in Antarctic marine ecosystem by monitoring gut microbial flora of seabird skua (Catharacta spp). Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated from fresh faecal sample of skua were tested for their heavy metal tolerance and antibiotic resistance pattern. More than 50% isolates were able to tolerate 200 g/ml concentration of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) and >80% isolates showed resistance towards Bacitracin. More than 50% isolates were resistance to multiple antibiotics (MAR) and the traits were found to be plasmid-borne in nature. The elevated rate of tolerance to the heavy metals reflects an adaptive response to the toxic metals present in marine environment.