Microbial diversity in a nitrate-contaminated aquifer

Groundwater denitrification has long been recognized as a microbially-mediated process and has been applied as a tool for in situ bioremediation of subsurface nitrate. Investigation of microbial diversity is crucial for understanding natural occurrence of denitrification in aquifers and identifying prospective key players. In addition, the microbial data provides indications whether denitrification is governed principally by heterotrophic or autotrophic microorganisms. To our knowledge, there is no baseline data on microbial communities of the Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer. This project will attempt to close this knowledge gap by generating microbial community diversity data which will be helpful in implementing more robust monitoring parameters for the Abbotsford-Sumas Aquifer.