Evaluation of Arsenic Pollution and Anaerobic Arsenic-metabolizing Bacteria of Lake Van, the World's Largest Soda Lake

Abstract

Abstract Arsenic is responsible for water pollution in many places in the World and presents a serious health risk for people. Lake Van is in the position of the world's largest soda lake and there are no studies on seasonal arsenic pollution and arsenic resistant bacteria. So, it was aimed to determine arsenic amount of lake water and sediment, to isolate arsenic metabolizing anaerobic bacteria and their identification and determination of arsenic metabolism. Sampling was done from 7.5 meters to represent the four seasons. Metal contents were determined by using ICP-MS. Pure cultures were obtained using the hungate technique. Growth characteristics of the strains were determined at different conditions as well as at arsenate and arsenite concentrations. Molecular studies were also carried out for various resistance genes. Our results showed that Lake Van’s total arsenic amount changes seasonally. As a result of 16S rRNA sequencing, it was determined that the isolates were the members of 8 different genera had arsC resistance gene. In conclusion; for the sustainability of water resources, it is necessary to prevent chemical and microorganism-based pollution. It is thought that the arsenic resistant bacteria obtained as a result of this study will contribute to the solution of environmental arsenic pollution problems, as they are the first data and provide the necessary basic data for the bioremediation studies of arsenic from contaminated environmental habitat. At the same time, the first data that will contribute to the creation of the seasonal arsenic map of Lake Van are obtained.