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Liu X, Wang H, Wang W, Cheng X, Wang Y, Li Q, Li L, Ma L, Lu X, Tuovinen OH. Nitrate determines the bacterial habitat specialization and impacts microbial functions in a subsurface karst cave. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1115449. [PMID: 36846803 PMCID: PMC9947541 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1115449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Karst caves are usually considered as natural laboratories to study pristine microbiomes in subsurface biosphere. However, effects of the increasingly detected nitrate in underground karst ecosystem due to the acid rain impact on microbiota and their functions in subsurface karst caves have remained largely unknown. In this study, samples of weathered rocks and sediments were collected from the Chang Cave, Hubei province and subjected to high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. The results showed that nitrate significantly impacted bacterial compositions, interactions, and functions in different habitats. Bacterial communities clustered according to their habitats with distinguished indicator groups identified for each individual habitat. Nitrate shaped the overall bacterial communities across two habitats with a contribution of 27.2%, whereas the pH and TOC, respectively, structured bacterial communities in weathered rocks and sediments. Alpha and beta diversities of bacterial communities increased with nitrate concentration in both habitats, with nitrate directly affecting alpha diversity in sediments, but indirectly on weathered rocks by lowering pH. Nitrate impacted more on bacterial communities in weathered rocks at the genus level than in sediments because more genera significantly correlated with nitrate concentration in weathered rocks. Diverse keystone taxa involved in nitrogen cycling were identified in the co-occurrence networks such as nitrate reducers, ammonium-oxidizers, and N2-fixers. Tax4Fun2 analysis further confirmed the dominance of genes involved in nitrogen cycling. Genes of methane metabolism and carbon fixation were also dominant. The dominance of dissimilatory and assimilatory nitrate reduction in nitrogen cycling substantiated nitrate impact on bacterial functions. Our results for the first time revealed the impact of nitrate on subsurface karst ecosystem in terms of bacterial compositions, interactions, and functions, providing an important reference for further deciphering the disturbance of human activities on the subsurface biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China,School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China,School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China,*Correspondence: Hongmei Wang, ;
| | - Weiqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China,School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyu Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China,School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Lu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Geobiology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Liyuan Ma
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaolu Lu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Olli H. Tuovinen
- Department of Microbiology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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Zanardini E, May E, Purdy KJ, Murrell JC. Nutrient cycling potential within microbial communities on culturally important stoneworks. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2019; 11:147-154. [PMID: 30346661 PMCID: PMC7379959 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies on microbes associated with deterioration of cultural heritage (CH) stoneworks have revealed a diverse microbiota adapted to stresses such as low nutrients, aridity and high salinity, temperatures and radiation. However, the function of these pioneer microbial communities is still unclear. This study examines bacterial and archaeal diversity in exfoliated and dark encrustation sandstone from Portchester Castle (UK) by 16S rRNA and functional gene analyses. Bacterial and archaeal communities from the exfoliated sites were distinctly different from the dark encrustation. Detected genera were linked to extreme environmental conditions, various potential functional roles and degradation abilities. From these data it was possible to reconstruct almost complete nitrogen and sulfur cycles, as well as autotrophic carbon fixation and mineral transformation processes. Analysis of RNA showed that many of the detected genera in these nutrient cycles were probably active in situ. Thus, CH stonework microbial communities are highly diverse and potentially self-sustaining ecosystems capable of cycling carbon, nitrogen and sulfur as well as the stone biodeterioration processes that lead to alterations such as exfoliation and corrosion. These results highlight the importance of diversity and internal recycling capacity in the development of microbial communities in harsh and low energy systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Zanardini
- School of Life SciencesUniversity of WarwickCoventryUK
- Department of Science and High TechnologyUniversity of InsubriaComoItaly
| | - Eric May
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of PortsmouthPortsmouthUK
| | | | - J. Colin Murrell
- School of Environmental SciencesUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
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Profile of microbial communities on carbonate stones of the medieval church of San Leonardo di Siponto (Italy) by Illumina-based deep sequencing. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2016; 100:8537-48. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-016-7656-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Riquelme C, Rigal F, Hathaway JJM, Northup DE, Spilde MN, Borges PAV, Gabriel R, Amorim IR, Dapkevicius MDLNE. Cave microbial community composition in oceanic islands: disentangling the effect of different colored mats in diversity patterns of Azorean lava caves. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 91:fiv141. [PMID: 26564959 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Processes determining diversity and composition of bacterial communities in island volcanic caves are still poorly understood. Here, we characterized colored microbial mats in 14 volcanic caves from two oceanic islands of the Azores using 16S rRNA gene sequences. Factors determining community diversity (α) and composition (β) were explored, namely colored mats, caves and islands, as well as environmental and chemical characteristics of caves. Additive partitioning of diversity using OTU occurrence showed a greater influence of β-diversity between islands and caves that may relate to differences in rare OTUs (singletons and doubletons) across scales. In contrast, Shannon diversity partitioning revealed the importance of the lowest hierarchical level (α diversity, colored mat), suggesting a dominance of cosmopolitan OTUs (>1%) in most samples. Cosmopolitan OTUs included members involved in nitrogen cycling, supporting the importance of this process in Azorean caves. Environmental and chemical conditions in caves did not show any significant relationship to OTU diversity and composition. The absence of clear differences between mat colors and across scales may be explained by (1) the geological youth of the cave system (cave communities have not had enough time to diverge) or/and (2) community convergence, as the result of selection pressure in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Riquelme
- Food Science and Health Group (CITA-A), Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
| | - François Rigal
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores - Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal Environment and Microbiology Team, MELODY group, Université of Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, IPREM UMR CNRS 5254, BP 1155, 64013 Pau Cedex, France
| | - Jennifer J M Hathaway
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Diana E Northup
- Department of Biology, MSC03 2020, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Michael N Spilde
- Institute of Meteoritics, MSC03 2050, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Paulo A V Borges
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores - Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
| | - Rosalina Gabriel
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores - Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
| | - Isabel R Amorim
- cE3c - Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/Azorean Biodiversity Group and Universidade dos Açores - Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
| | - Maria de Lurdes N E Dapkevicius
- Food Science and Health Group (CITA-A), Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, São Pedro, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira, Azores, Portugal
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Jroundi F, Gonzalez-Muñoz MT, Sterflinger K, Piñar G. Molecular Tools for Monitoring the Ecological Sustainability of a Stone Bio-Consolidation Treatment at the Royal Chapel, Granada. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132465. [PMID: 26222040 PMCID: PMC4519126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biomineralization processes have recently been applied in situ to protect and consolidate decayed ornamental stone of the Royal Chapel in Granada (Spain). While this promising method has demonstrated its efficacy regarding strengthening of the stone, little is known about its ecological sustainability. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Here, we report molecular monitoring of the stone-autochthonous microbiota before and at 5, 12 and 30 months after the bio-consolidation treatment (medium/long-term monitoring), employing the well-known molecular strategy of DGGE analyses. Before the bio-consolidation treatment, the bacterial diversity showed the exclusive dominance of Actinobacteria (100%), which decreased in the community (44.2%) after 5 months, and Gamma-proteobacteria (30.24%) and Chloroflexi (25.56%) appeared. After 12 months, Gamma-proteobacteria vanished from the community and Cyanobacteria (22.1%) appeared and remained dominant after thirty months, when the microbiota consisted of Actinobacteria (42.2%) and Cyanobacteria (57.8%) only. Fungal diversity showed that the Ascomycota phylum was dominant before treatment (100%), while, after five months, Basidiomycota (6.38%) appeared on the stone, and vanished again after twelve months. Thirty months after the treatment, the fungal population started to stabilize and Ascomycota dominated on the stone (83.33%) once again. Members of green algae (Chlorophyta, Viridiplantae) appeared on the stone at 5, 12 and 30 months after the treatment and accounted for 4.25%, 84.77% and 16.77%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The results clearly show that, although a temporary shift in the bacterial and fungal diversity was observed during the first five months, most probably promoted by the application of the bio-consolidation treatment, the microbiota tends to regain its initial stability in a few months. Thus, the treatment does not seem to have any negative side effects on the stone-autochthonous microbiota over that time. The molecular strategy employed here is suggested as an efficient monitoring tool to assess the impact on the stone-autochthonous microbiota of the application of biomineralization processes as a restoration/conservation procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadwa Jroundi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Katja Sterflinger
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, VIBT-BOKU, Vienna, Austria
| | - Guadalupe Piñar
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, VIBT-BOKU, Vienna, Austria
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Kusumi A, Li X, Osuga Y, Kawashima A, Gu JD, Nasu M, Katayama Y. Bacterial communities in pigmented biofilms formed on the sandstone bas-relief walls of the Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom, Cambodia. Microbes Environ 2013; 28:422-31. [PMID: 24334526 PMCID: PMC4070708 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Bayon temple in Angkor Thom, Cambodia has shown serious deterioration and is subject to the formation of various pigmented biofilms. Because biofilms are damaging the bas-reliefs, low reliefs engraved on the surface of sandstone, information about the microbial community within them is indispensable to control biofilm colonization. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of biofilm samples from the pigmented sandstone surfaces showed that the bacterial community members in the biofilms differed clearly from those in the air and had low sequence similarity to database sequences. Non-destructive sampling of biofilm revealed novel bacterial groups of predominantly Rubrobacter in salmon pink biofilm, Cyanobacteria in chrome green biofilm, Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi in signal violet biofilm, Chloroflexi in black gray biofilm, and Deinococcus-Thermus, Cyanobacteria, and Rubrobacter in blue green biofilm. Serial peeling-off of a thick biofilm by layers with adhesive sheets revealed a stratified structure: the blue-green biofilm, around which there was serious deterioration, was very rich in Cyanobacteria near the surface and Chloroflexi in deep layer below. Nitrate ion concentrations were high in the blue-green biofilm. The characteristic distribution of bacteria at different biofilm depths provides valuable information on not only the biofilm formation process but also the sandstone weathering process in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asako Kusumi
- United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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Piñar G, Garcia-Valles M, Gimeno-Torrente D, Fernandez-Turiel JL, Ettenauer J, Sterflinger K. Microscopic, chemical, and molecular-biological investigation of the decayed medieval stained window glasses of two Catalonian churches. INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION 2013; 84:388-400. [PMID: 24092957 PMCID: PMC3728567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2012.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2011] [Revised: 02/21/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the decayed historical church window glasses of two Catalonian churches, both under Mediterranean climate. Glass surfaces were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Their chemical composition was determined by wavelength-dispersive spectrometry (WDS) microprobe analysis. The biodiversity was investigated by molecular methods: DNA extraction from glass, amplification by PCR targeting the16S rRNA and ITS regions, and fingerprint analyses by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Clone libraries containing either PCR fragments of the bacterial 16S rDNA or the fungal ITS regions were screened by DGGE. Clone inserts were sequenced and compared with the EMBL database. Similarity values ranged from 89 to 100% to known bacteria and fungi. Biological activity in both sites was evidenced in the form of orange patinas, bio-pitting, and mineral precipitation. Analyses revealed complex bacterial communities consisting of members of the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. Fungi showed less diversity than bacteria, and species of the genera Cladosporium and Phoma were dominant. The detected Actinobacteria and fungi may be responsible for the observed bio-pitting phenomenon. Moreover, some of the detected bacteria are known for their mineral precipitation capabilities. Sequence results also showed similarities with bacteria commonly found on deteriorated stone monuments, supporting the idea that medieval stained glass biodeterioration in the Mediterranean area shows a pattern comparable to that on stone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Piñar
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology, Vienna Institute of Bio Technology (VIBT), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maite Garcia-Valles
- Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), c/ Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Domingo Gimeno-Torrente
- Facultat de Geologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), c/ Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jörg Ettenauer
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology, Vienna Institute of Bio Technology (VIBT), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology, Vienna Institute of Bio Technology (VIBT), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 11, A-1190 Vienna, Austria
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8
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New and old microbial communities colonizing a seventeenth-century wooden church. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2013; 59:45-51. [DOI: 10.1007/s12223-013-0265-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2012] [Accepted: 06/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cappitelli F, Salvadori O, Albanese D, Villa F, Sorlini C. Cyanobacteria cause black staining of the National Museum of the American Indian Building, Washington, DC, USA. BIOFOULING 2012; 28:257-266. [PMID: 22435895 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2012.671304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Microbial deterioration of stone is a widely recognised problem affecting monuments and buildings all over the world. In this paper, dark-coloured staining, putatively attributed to microorganisms, on areas of the National Museum of the American Indian Building, Washington, DC, USA, were studied. Observations by optical and electron microscopy of surfaces and cross sections of limestone indicated that biofilms, which penetrated up to a maximum depth of about 1 mm, were mainly composed of cyanobacteria, with the predominance of Gloeocapsa and Lyngbya. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the microbial community also included eukaryotic algae (Trebouxiophyceae) and fungi (Ascomycota), along with a consortium of bacteria. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed the same elemental composition in stained and unstained areas of the samples, indicating that the discolouration was not due to abiotic chemical changes within the stone. The dark pigmentation of the stone was correlated with the high content of scytonemin, which was found in all samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cappitelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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Giacomucci L, Bertoncello R, Salvadori O, Martini I, Favaro M, Villa F, Sorlini C, Cappitelli F. Microbial deterioration of artistic tiles from the façade of the Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria (Venice, Italy). MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2011; 62:287-298. [PMID: 21286701 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-011-9812-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2010] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The Grande Albergo Ausonia & Hungaria (Venice Lido, Italy) has an Art Nouveau polychrome ceramic coating on its façade, which was restored in 2007. Soon after the conservation treatment, many tiles of the façade decoration showed coloured alterations putatively attributed to the presence of microbial communities. To confirm the presence of the biological deposit and the stratigraphy of the Hungaria tiles, stereomicroscope, optical and environmental scanning electron microscope observations were made. The characterisation of the microbial community was performed using a PCR-DGGE approach. This study reported the first use of a culture-independent approach to identify the total community present in biodeteriorated artistic tiles. The case study examined here reveals that the coloured alterations on the tiles were mainly due to the presence of cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria. In addition, we proved that the microflora present on the tiles was generally greatly influenced by the environment of the Hungaria hotel. We found several microorganisms related to the alkaline environment, which is in the range of the tile pH, and related to the aquatic environment, the presence of the acrylic resin Paraloid B72® used during the 2007 treatment and the pollutants of the Venice lagoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Giacomucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari e Microbiologiche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Portillo MC, Gonzalez JM. Moonmilk deposits originate from specific bacterial communities in Altamira Cave (Spain). MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2011; 61:182-189. [PMID: 20717660 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-010-9731-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Accepted: 07/21/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The influence of bacterial communities on the formation of carbonate deposits such as moonmilk was investigated in Altamira Cave (Spain). The study focuses on the relationship between the bacterial communities at moonmilk deposits and those forming white colonizations, which develop sporadically throughout the cave. Using molecular fingerprinting of the metabolically active bacterial communities detected through RNA analyses, the development of white colonizations and moonmilk deposits showed similar bacterial profiles. White colonizations were able to raise the pH as a result of their metabolism (reaching in situ pH values above 8.5), which was proportional to the nutrient supply. Bacterial activity was analyzed by nanorespirometry showing higher metabolic activity from bacterial colonizations than uncolonized areas. Once carbonate deposits were formed, bacterial activity decreased drastically (down to 5.7% of the white colonization activity). This study reports on a specific type of bacterial community leading to moonmilk deposit formation in a cave environment as a result of bacterial metabolism. The consequence of this process is a macroscopic phenomenon of visible carbonate depositions and accumulation in cave environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Portillo
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología, IRNAS-CSIC, Avda. Reina Mercedes 10, Sevilla, 41012, Spain
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12
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Portillo MC, Gonzalez JM. Differential effects of distinct bacterial biofilms in a cave environment. Curr Microbiol 2009; 60:435-8. [PMID: 20020302 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-009-9561-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Current microbial surveys using molecular methods provide us with critical information on the major components of natural bacterial communities. However, limited investigation has been performed on the influence of bacterial metabolism on the environment. In this study, we analyzed the pH generated by distinct bacterial communities in a cave environment. Different bacterial biofilms developing on the walls of the cave were visually distinguished by their colorations (e.g., white, yellow, and gray) and mineral depositions, and previous studies have reported on their bacterial diversity and distribution. Using pH microelectrodes, we carried out in situ measurements and were able to detect differences among these bacterial biofilms. White biofilms and carbonate depositions resulted in alkaline pH values. Gray biofilms also increased the pH although these values remained lower than in white biofilms. A combination of gray-white biofilms resulted in alkaline pH values with highest values at the white edge of the colonies. Yellow biofilms generated a slightly acid pH. These results suggest that different bacterial communities can lead to distinct effects on their environment, for instance, precipitation or dissolution of carbonates in caves. These results add information about metabolic response to current knowledge from bacterial diversity surveys, providing information on the interaction between complex bacterial communities and the geological substrate.
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13
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Assessment of bacterial and fungal growth on natural substrates: consequences for preserving caves with prehistoric paintings. Curr Microbiol 2009; 59:321-5. [PMID: 19536596 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-009-9437-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2009] [Revised: 05/26/2009] [Accepted: 05/27/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The most representative bacterium (Pseudonocardia sp.) and fungus (Fusarium sp.) from the microbial communities of a cave containing paleolithic paintings were isolated and their growth on natural substrates assessed. Growth was tested at the in situ and optimal, laboratory growth temperature. Development was analyzed with and without supplemented nutrients (glucose, ammonium, phosphate, peptone). Results showed that the assayed bacterium on natural substrate was able to develop best at in situ temperature and the addition of organic nutrients and/or phosphate enhanced its growth. The growth of the assayed fungus, however, was limited by low temperature and the availability of ammonium. These results confirm a differential behavior of microorganisms between the laboratory and the natural environments and could explain previous invasion of fungi reported for some caves with prehistoric paintings.
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Is the availability of different nutrients a critical factor for the impact of bacteria on subterraneous carbon budgets? Naturwissenschaften 2009; 96:1035-42. [PMID: 19488732 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-009-0562-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2009] [Revised: 05/11/2009] [Accepted: 05/12/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria thriving in underground systems, such as karsts, adapt to use a variety of nutrients. Most of these nutrients derive from superficial processes. This study shows that bacteria are able to differentially induce carbonate precipitation or dissolution depending on the availability of nutrients for growth. Different bacterial strains isolated from caves, representing the most common components of these microbial communities, were cultured with different carbon and nitrogen sources (e.g., acetate, glucose, peptone, humic acids) and induced changes in pH were measured during growth. Carbonate can either precipitate or dissolve during bacterial growth. The induction of carbonate precipitates or their dissolution as a function of consumption of specific carbon sources revealed the existence of an active nutrient cycling process in karsts and links nutrients and environmental conditions to the existence of a highly significant carbon sink in subterraneous environments.
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