Watts MP, Spurr LP, Lê Cao KA, Wick R, Banfield JF, Moreau JW. Genome-resolved metagenomics of an autotrophic thiocyanate-remediating microbial bioreactor consortium.
WATER RESEARCH 2019;
158:106-117. [PMID:
31022528 DOI:
10.1016/j.watres.2019.02.058]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Industrial thiocyanate (SCN-) waste streams from gold mining and coal coking have polluted environments worldwide. Modern SCN- bioremediation involves use of complex engineered heterotrophic microbiomes; little attention has been given to the ability of a simple environmental autotrophic microbiome to biodegrade SCN-. Here we present results from a bioreactor experiment inoculated with SCN- -loaded mine tailings, incubated autotrophically, and subjected to a range of environmentally relevant conditions. Genome-resolved metagenomics revealed that SCN- hydrolase-encoding, sulphur-oxidizing autotrophic bacteria mediated SCN- degradation. These microbes supported metabolically-dependent non-SCN--degrading sulphur-oxidizing autotrophs and non-sulphur oxidizing heterotrophs, and "niche" microbiomes developed spatially (planktonic versus sessile) and temporally (across changing environmental parameters). Bioreactor microbiome structures changed significantly with increasing temperature, shifting from Thiobacilli to a novel SCN- hydrolase-encoding gammaproteobacteria. Transformation of carbonyl sulphide (COS), a key intermediate in global biogeochemical sulphur cycling, was mediated by plasmid-hosted CS2 and COS hydrolase genes associated with Thiobacillus, revealing a potential for horizontal transfer of this function. Our work shows that simple native autotrophic microbiomes from mine tailings can be employed for SCN- bioremediation, thus improving the recycling of ore processing waters and reducing the hydrological footprint of mining.
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