What's in Our Soil? The Relationship Between Heavy Metal Concentrations and Microbial Diversity
Location
Poster #11
Start Date
1-5-2026 12:00 PM
Department
Biology
Abstract
Previous student research identified elevated concentrations of heavy metals, including barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg), in soils from multiple locations across the Triton College campus. The presence of these pollutants raises important questions regarding their ecological impact and the feasibility of future bioremediation strategies. However, before remediation approaches can be considered, it is essential to characterize the existing microbial communities within these soils. Our study investigates the relationship between heavy metal contamination and soil microbial community composition. Soil samples will be collected from three campus locations previously identified as having elevated heavy metal concentrations. Elemental composition and metal concentrations will be quantified using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. To assess microbial biodiversity, DNA metabarcoding will be performed. Total soil DNA will be extracted and bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1/ITS2) regions will be amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplicons will be sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatic pipelines to characterize microbial community structure and diversity. Correlations between heavy metal concentrations and microbial community composition will be evaluated. This study will provide foundational insight into the ecological consequences of heavy metal contamination and inform future remediation strategies that preserve or enhance native microbial communities.
Faculty Sponsor
Sheldon Turner
What's in Our Soil? The Relationship Between Heavy Metal Concentrations and Microbial Diversity
Poster #11
Previous student research identified elevated concentrations of heavy metals, including barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg), in soils from multiple locations across the Triton College campus. The presence of these pollutants raises important questions regarding their ecological impact and the feasibility of future bioremediation strategies. However, before remediation approaches can be considered, it is essential to characterize the existing microbial communities within these soils. Our study investigates the relationship between heavy metal contamination and soil microbial community composition. Soil samples will be collected from three campus locations previously identified as having elevated heavy metal concentrations. Elemental composition and metal concentrations will be quantified using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. To assess microbial biodiversity, DNA metabarcoding will be performed. Total soil DNA will be extracted and bacterial 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) and fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS1/ITS2) regions will be amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplicons will be sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatic pipelines to characterize microbial community structure and diversity. Correlations between heavy metal concentrations and microbial community composition will be evaluated. This study will provide foundational insight into the ecological consequences of heavy metal contamination and inform future remediation strategies that preserve or enhance native microbial communities.