This study evaluated the PCR inhibition and toxic effects by sediment samples exposed to drilling muds. This information was gathered in an attempt to identify what effect, if any, drilling muds had on the microbial community structure in sediments around four specific oil-drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Sediment samples were taken before and after drilling had taken place around two platforms (GB516 and VK916), and sediment samples were taken after drilling had taken place around two other platforms (MC292 and GB602). After using traditional, non-selective DNA extraction methods, successful amplification took place via PCR with all pre-drilling samples that were tested. Post-drilling samples, however, failed to amplify using the same procedure. Many experiments were conducted to identify the cause of PCR inhibition in the post-drilling samples. It was clearly demonstrated that an abundance of humic substances was being carried through the extraction procedure and caused the PCR inhibition. The Lumitox assay showed that the toxic effects of exposed sediments ranged from very toxic to non-toxic.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LSU/oai:etd.lsu.edu:etd-0626103-112039 |
| Date | 27 June 2003 |
| Creators | Satterly, Neal Gilpin |
| Contributors | Paul LaRock, Vince Wilson, Ralph Portier |
| Publisher | LSU |
| Source Sets | Louisiana State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-0626103-112039/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby grant to LSU or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University Libraries in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. |
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