seawater metagenome Genome sequencing and assembly

In this study, we simulate the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in a laboratory system, with the indigenous seawater from the spill site and depth, Macondo oil, and dispersant (Corexit 9500) used during the spill. Successive samples were taken for chemical and metagenomic studies. From the assembled contigs, we isolated the dominant Oceanospirillaceae genome. This study showed that the succession of the microbial community coincide with the genomes' use of hydrocarbon substrates. In general, n-alkane users will rise first, succeeded by mono-ring aromotics, then by multi-ring aromatics. The succession pattern was probably controlled by nutrient availability and the metabolic rates that the group of substrates can sustain. Multiple genomes of Colwellia, Cycloclasticus, members of Gamma-Proteobacteria, flavor bacteria and Rhodobacteria were also resolved, providing insights on potential cooperation or competition in the environment among closely related bacteria.