FIG 7.

A working model depicting the fate of pollutant-degrading strains in contaminated environments. The same color indicates the same strain. (A) Strains with pollutant-degrading capabilities. (B) Pollutant-contaminated environments. (C) Stressful conditions. (D) Strains in the VBNC state. (E) Removal of stressful conditions. (F) Addition of signaling compounds. Strains with pollutant-degrading capabilities are divided into five categories: strains enter into the VBNC state under stressful conditions and can be resuscitated by the removal of stresses (1, strains with green color) or by the addition of signaling compounds (2, strains with red color), strains maintain highly efficient pollutant-degrading capabilities under stressful conditions (3, strains with blue color), strains exhibit reduced pollutant-degrading activity under stressful conditions and can be restored by resuscitation (4, strains with purple color), and strains die under stressful conditions and cannot be reversed by resuscitation (5, strains with yellow color).