Science Centres: Aquatic Biodiversity and Biosecurity

Results of the genetic analysis show two groups (in blue and green respectively) that probably represent new bacterial genera.

In all, we isolated 15 types of bacteria from sediment cores taken at depths of between 270 and 4000 metres on the Norfolk Ridge and Challenger Plateau. Most of the isolates are related to known species, but two haven’t been found anywhere else in the world and probably represent two new genera.

‘Marine bacteria have an important role in recycling nutrients in the oceans by breaking down organic matter,’ explains NIWA environmental microbiologist Dr Els Maas, who led the research. ‘The enzymes they use to do this have potential uses in industrial processes and commercial products, such as washing powder. We are now exploring all 15 new isolates for their potential uses in industry and will in due course describe and name them.’

NIWA holds the largest collection of marine bacteria in New Zealand, numbering some 1500 isolates.