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Wu B, Liu F, Liang Z, Wang C, Wang S. Spatial distribution of cable bacteria in nationwide organic-matter-polluted urban rivers in China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174118. [PMID: 38925373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
An overload of labile organic matter triggers the water blackening and odorization in urban rivers, leading to a unique microbiome driving biogeochemical cycles in these anoxic habitats. Among the key players in these environments, cable bacteria interfere directly with C/N/S/O cycling, and are closely associated with phylogenetically diverse microorganisms in anoxic sediment as an electron conduit to mediate long-distance electron transport from deep-anoxic-layer sulfide to oxic-layer oxygen. Despite their hypothesized importance in black-odorous urban rivers, the spatial distribution patterns and roles of cable bacteria in large-scale polluted urban rivers remain inadequately understood. This study examined the diversity and spatial distribution pattern of cable bacteria in sediment samples from 186 black-odorous urban rivers across China. Results revealed the co-existence of two well-characterized cable bacteria (i.e., Candidatus Electrothrix and Candidatus Electronema), with Candidatus Electrothrix exhibiting a comparatively wider distribution in the polluted urban rivers. Concentrations of DOC, SS, sulfate, nitrate, and heavy metals (e.g., Ni and Cr) were correlated with the cable bacteria diversity, indicating their essential role in biogeochemical cycles. The activation energy of cable bacteria was 0.624 eV, close to the canonical 0.65 eV. Furthermore, cable bacteria were identified as key connectors and module hubs, closely associated with denitrifiers, sulfate-reducing bacteria, methanogens and alkane degraders, highlighting their role as keystone functional lineages in the contaminated urban rivers. Our study provided the first large-scale and comprehensive insight into the cable bacteria diversity, spatial distribution, and their essential function as keystone species in organic-matter-polluted urban rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Feifei Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; Guangdong Magigene Biotechnology Co. Ltd., 510000 Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiwei Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shanquan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Environmental Microbiomics Research Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Dong M, Nielsen LP, Yang S, Klausen LH, Xu M. Cable bacteria: widespread filamentous electroactive microorganisms protecting environments. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:697-706. [PMID: 38151387 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Cable bacteria have been identified and detected worldwide since their discovery in marine sediments in Aarhus Bay, Denmark. Their activity can account for the majority of oxygen consumption and sulfide depletion in sediments, and they induce sulfate accumulation, pH excursions, and the generation of electric fields. In addition, they can affect the fluxes of other elements such as calcium, iron, manganese, nitrogen, and phosphorous. Recent developments in our understanding of the impact of cable bacteria on element cycling have revealed their positive contributions to mitigating environmental problems, such as recovering self-purification capacity, enhancing petroleum hydrocarbon degradation, alleviating phosphorus eutrophication, delaying euxinia, and reducing methane emission. We highlight recent research outcomes on their distribution, state-of-the-art findings on their physiological characteristics, and ecological contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijun Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection Microbiology and Regional Ecological Security, Guangzhou 510070, Guangdong, China
| | - Lars Peter Nielsen
- Center for Electromicrobiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Shan Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection Microbiology and Regional Ecological Security, Guangzhou 510070, Guangdong, China
| | - Lasse Hyldgaard Klausen
- Center for Electromicrobiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Meiying Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510070, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection Microbiology and Regional Ecological Security, Guangzhou 510070, Guangdong, China.
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Wang Z, Digel L, Yuan Y, Lu H, Yang Y, Vogt C, Richnow HH, Nielsen LP. Electrogenic sulfur oxidation mediated by cable bacteria and its ecological effects. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 20:100371. [PMID: 38283867 PMCID: PMC10821171 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
At the sediment-water interfaces, filamentous cable bacteria transport electrons from sulfide oxidation along their filaments towards oxygen or nitrate as electron acceptors. These multicellular bacteria belonging to the family Desulfobulbaceae thus form a biogeobattery that mediates redox processes between multiple elements. Cable bacteria were first reported in 2012. In the past years, cable bacteria have been found to be widely distributed across the globe. Their potential in shaping the surface water environments has been extensively studied but is not fully elucidated. In this review, the biogeochemical characteristics, conduction mechanisms, and geographical distribution of cable bacteria, as well as their ecological effects, are systematically reviewed and discussed. Novel insights for understanding and applying the role of cable bacteria in aquatic ecology are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wang
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Leonid Digel
- Center for Electromicrobiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Yongqiang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yonggang Yang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528225, China
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510007, China
| | - Carsten Vogt
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hans-Hermann Richnow
- Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Lars Peter Nielsen
- Center for Electromicrobiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark
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Zhuang X, Wang S, Wu S. Electron Transfer in the Biogeochemical Sulfur Cycle. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:591. [PMID: 38792612 PMCID: PMC11123123 DOI: 10.3390/life14050591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Microorganisms are key players in the global biogeochemical sulfur cycle. Among them, some have garnered particular attention due to their electrical activity and ability to perform extracellular electron transfer. A growing body of research has highlighted their extensive phylogenetic and metabolic diversity, revealing their crucial roles in ecological processes. In this review, we delve into the electron transfer process between sulfate-reducing bacteria and anaerobic alkane-oxidizing archaea, which facilitates growth within syntrophic communities. Furthermore, we review the phenomenon of long-distance electron transfer and potential extracellular electron transfer in multicellular filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. These bacteria, with their vast application prospects and ecological significance, play a pivotal role in various ecological processes. Subsequently, we discuss the important role of the pili/cytochrome for electron transfer and presented cutting-edge approaches for exploring and studying electroactive microorganisms. This review provides a comprehensive overview of electroactive microorganisms participating in the biogeochemical sulfur cycle. By examining their electron transfer mechanisms, and the potential ecological and applied implications, we offer novel insights into microbial sulfur metabolism, thereby advancing applications in the development of sustainable bioelectronics materials and bioremediation technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuliang Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources (TPESER), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Shijie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shanghua Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; (X.Z.); (S.W.)
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Xiong X, Li Y, Zhang C. Cable bacteria: Living electrical conduits for biogeochemical cycling and water environment restoration. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121345. [PMID: 38394932 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Since the discovery of multicellular cable bacteria in marine sediments in 2012, they have attracted widespread attention and interest due to their unprecedented ability to generate and transport electrical currents over centimeter-scale long-range distances. The cosmopolitan distribution of cable bacteria in both marine and freshwater systems, along with their substantial impact on local biogeochemistry, has uncovered their important role in element cycling and ecosystem functioning of aquatic environments. Considerable research efforts have been devoted to the potential utilization of cable bacteria for various water management purposes during the past few years. However, there lacks a critical summary on the advances and contributions of cable bacteria to biogeochemical cycles and water environment restoration. This review aims to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the current research on cable bacteria, with a particular view on their participation in aquatic biogeochemical cycles and promising applications in water environment restoration. It systematically analyzes (i) the global distribution of cable bacteria in aquatic ecosystems and the major environmental factors affecting their survival, diversity, and composition, (ii) the interactive associations between cable bacteria and other microorganisms as well as aquatic plants and infauna, (iii) the underlying role of cable bacteria in sedimentary biogeochemical cycling of essential elements including but not limited to sulfur, iron, phosphorus, and nitrogen, (iv) the practical explorations of cable bacteria for water pollution control, greenhouse gas emission reduction, aquatic ecological environment restoration, as well as possible combinations with other water remediation technologies. It is believed to give a step-by-step introduction to progress on cable bacteria, highlight key findings, opportunities and challenges of using cable bacteria for water environment restoration, and propose directions for further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyan Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, PR China
| | - Yi Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, PR China.
| | - Chi Zhang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Changzhou 213200, PR China.
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Xu X, Weng N, Zhang H, van de Velde SJ, Hermans M, Wu F, Huo S. Cable bacteria regulate sedimentary phosphorus release in freshwater sediments. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120218. [PMID: 37390661 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that e-SOx can regulate the sedimentary release of phosphorus (P) in brackish and marine sediments. When e-SOx is active, an iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) oxide rich layer is formed near the sediment surface, which prevents P release. When e-SOx becomes inactive, the metal oxide layer is reduced via sulfide-mediated dissolution, and P is subsequently released to the water column. Cable bacteria have been shown to also occur in freshwater sediments. In these sediments, sulfide production is limited, and the metal oxide layer would thus dissolve less efficiently, leaving the P trapped at the sediment surface. This lack of an efficient dissolution mechanism implies that e-SOx could play an important role in the regulation of P availability in eutrophied freshwater streams. To test this hypothesis, we incubated sediments from a eutrophic freshwater river to investigate the impact of cable bacteria on sedimentary cycling of Fe, Mn and P. High-resolution depth profiling of pH, O2 and ΣH2S complemented with FISH analysis and high-throughput gene sequencing showed that the development of e-SOx activity was closely linked to the enrichment of cable bacteria in incubated sediments. Cable bacteria activity caused a strong acidification in the suboxic zone, leading to the dissolution of Fe and Mn minerals and consequently a strong release of dissolved Fe2+ and Mn2+ to the porewater. Oxidation of these mobilized ions at the sediment surface led to the formation of a metal oxide layer that trapped dissolved P, as shown by the enrichment of P-bearing metal oxides in the top layer of the sediment and low phosphate in the pore and overlying water. After e-SOx activity declined, the metal oxide layer did not dissolve and P remained trapped at the surface. Overall, our results suggested cable bacteria can play an important role to counteract eutrophication in freshwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Nanyan Weng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing 100012, China.
| | - Hanxiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Sebastiaan J van de Velde
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Operationale Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Martijn Hermans
- Baltic Sea Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm 106 91, Sweden; Environmental Geochemistry Group, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki 00560, Finland
| | - Fengchang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Shouliang Huo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing 100012, China.
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