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Huang H, Shi Y, Gong Z, Wang J, Zheng L, Gao S. Revealing the characteristics of biofilms on different polypropylene plastic products: Comparison between disposable masks and takeaway boxes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133400. [PMID: 38198871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133400] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The increasingly severe plastic pollution issue was intensified by the enormous plastic emissions into ecosystems during the Covid-19 pandemic. Plastic wastes entering the environment were swiftly exposed to microorganisms and colonized by biofilms, and the plastic-biofilm combined effects further influenced the ecosystem. However, the non-woven structure of disposable masks discarded carelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic was different from those of plastics with flat surface. To reveal the potential effects of plastic structure on colonized biofilms, white disposable surgical masks (DM) and transparent takeaway boxes (TB), both made of polyethylene, were selected for the incubation of organic conditioning films and biofilms. The results indicated that the non-woven structure of disposable mask was destroyed by the influence of water infiltration and biofilm colonization. The influence of surface structure on conditioning films led to a relatively higher proportion of tryptophan-like substances on DM than those on TB samples. Therefore, biofilms with significantly higher microbial biomass and carbon metabolic capacity were formed on DM than those on TB samples owing to the combined effects of their differences in surface structure and conditioning films. Moreover, abundant functional microorganisms associated with stress tolerance, carbon metabolism and biofilm formation were observed in biofilms on disposable mask. Combining with the results of partial least squares regression analysis, the selective colonization of functional microorganisms on disposable masks with uneven surface longitudinal fluctuation was revealed. Although the predicted functions of biofilms on disposable masks and takeaway boxes showed more similarity to each other than to those of free-living aquatic microorganisms owing to the existence of the plastisphere, biofilms on disposable masks may potentially trigger environmental risks different from those of takeaway boxes by unique carbon metabolism and abundant biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hexinyue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiahao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lezhou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Flores-Vargas G, Korber DR, Bergsveinson J. Sub-MIC antibiotics influence the microbiome, resistome and structure of riverine biofilm communities. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1194952. [PMID: 37593545 PMCID: PMC10427767 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1194952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics on aquatic environments is not yet fully understood. Here, we explore these effects by employing a replicated microcosm system fed with river water where biofilm communities were continuously exposed over an eight-week period to sub-MIC exposure (1/10, 1/50, and 1/100 MIC) to a mix of common antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and oxytetracycline). Biofilms were examined using a structure-function approach entailing microscopy and metagenomic techniques, revealing details on the microbiome, resistome, virulome, and functional prediction. A comparison of three commonly used microbiome and resistome databases was also performed. Differences in biofilm architecture were observed between sub-MIC antibiotic treatments, with an overall reduction of extracellular polymeric substances and autotroph (algal and cyanobacteria) and protozoan biomass, particularly at the 1/10 sub-MIC condition. While metagenomic analyses demonstrated that microbial diversity was lowest at the sub-MIC 1/10 antibiotic treatment, resistome diversity was highest at sub-MIC 1/50. This study also notes the importance of benchmarking analysis tools and careful selection of reference databases, given the disparity in detected antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) identity and abundance across methods. Ultimately, the most detected ARGs in sub-MICs exposed biofilms were those that conferred resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, β-lactams, sulfonamides, and trimethoprim. Co-occurrence of microbiome and resistome features consistently showed a relationship between Proteobacteria genera and aminoglycoside ARGs. Our results support the hypothesis that constant exposure to sub-MICs antibiotics facilitate the transmission and promote prevalence of antibiotic resistance in riverine biofilms communities, and additionally shift overall microbial community metabolic function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Darren R. Korber
- Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jordyn Bergsveinson
- Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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3
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Abdelhak S, Menard Y, Artigas J. Effects of global change on the ability of stream biofilm to dissipate the herbicide glyphosate. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 324:121406. [PMID: 36893978 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121406] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The herbicide glyphosate is contaminating a large number of freshwater ecosystems worldwide and its fate and effects remains uncertain in light of the effects of global change. The present study examines how variations in water temperature and light availability relative to global change affect the ability of stream biofilms to degrade the herbicide glyphosate. Biofilms were exposed in microcosms to two levels of water temperature simulating global warming (Ambient = 19-22 °C and Warm = 21-24 °C) and three levels of light representative of riparian habitat destruction due to land use change (Dark = 0, Intermediate = 600, High = 1200 μmol photons m-2 s-1). Biofilms were acclimated to six different experimental treatments, namely i) ambient temperature without light (AMB_D), ii) ambient temperature and intermediate light (AMB_IL), iii) ambient temperature and high light (AMB_HL), iv) warm temperature without light (WARM_D), v) warm temperature and intermediate light (WARM_IL) and vi) warm temperature and high light (WARM_HL). The ability of biofilms to degrade 50 μg L-1 of glyphosate was tested. Results showed that water temperature increase, but not light availability increase, significantly increased aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) production by biofilms. However, the combined increase of temperature and light generated the shortest time to dissipate half of the glyphosate supplied and/or half of the maximum AMPA produced (6.4 and 5.4 days, respectively) by biofilms. Despite light had a major effect in modulating biofilm structural and functional descriptors, the response of certain descriptors (i. e. chlorophyll-a concentration, bacterial density and diversity, nutrient content and PHO activity) to light availability increase depended on water temperature. Specifically, the biofilms in the WARM_HL treatment displayed the highest Glucosidase: Peptidase and Glucosidase: Phosphatase enzyme activity ratios and the lowest biomass C: N molar ratios compared to the other treatments. According to these results, warmer temperatures and high light availability could have been exacerbating the decomposition of organic C compounds in biofilms, including the use of glyphosate as a C source for microbial heterotrophs. This study shows that ecoenzymatic stoichiometry and xenobiotic biodegradation approaches can be combined to better understand the functioning of biofilms in pesticide-polluted streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Abdelhak
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Yoann Menard
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Joan Artigas
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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4
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Sabater S, Freixa A, Jiménez L, López-Doval J, Pace G, Pascoal C, Perujo N, Craven D, González-Trujillo JD. Extreme weather events threaten biodiversity and functions of river ecosystems: evidence from a meta-analysis. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:450-461. [PMID: 36307907 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12914] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Both gradual and extreme weather changes trigger complex ecological responses in river ecosystems. It is still unclear to what extent trend or event effects alter biodiversity and functioning in river ecosystems, adding considerable uncertainty to predictions of their future dynamics. Using a comprehensive database of 71 published studies, we show that event - but not trend - effects associated with extreme changes in water flow and temperature substantially reduce species richness. Furthermore, event effects - particularly those affecting hydrological dynamics - on biodiversity and primary productivity were twice as high as impacts due to gradual changes. The synthesis of the available evidence reveals that event effects induce regime shifts in river ecosystems, particularly affecting organisms such as invertebrates. Among extreme weather events, dryness associated with flow interruption caused the largest effects on biota and ecosystem functions in rivers. Effects on ecosystem functions (primary production, organic matter decomposition and respiration) were asymmetric, with only primary production exhibiting a negative response to extreme weather events. Our meta-analysis highlights the disproportionate impact of event effects on river biodiversity and ecosystem functions, with implications for the long-term conservation and management of river ecosystems. However, few studies were available from tropical areas, and our conclusions therefore remain largely limited to temperate river systems. Further efforts need to be directed to assemble evidence of extreme events on river biodiversity and functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071, Girona, Spain
| | - Laura Jiménez
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Julio López-Doval
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Giorgio Pace
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Pascoal
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Núria Perujo
- Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003, Girona, Spain
- University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Dylan Craven
- Centro de Modelación y Monitoreo de Ecosistemas, Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Chile
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5
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Freixa A, Ortiz-Rivero J, Sabater S. Artificial substrata to assess ecological and ecotoxicological responses in river biofilms: Use and recommendations. MethodsX 2023; 10:102089. [PMID: 36915862 PMCID: PMC10006700 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
River biofilms are biological consortia of autotrophs and heterotrophs colonizing most solid surfaces in rivers. Biofilm composition and biomass differ according to the environmental conditions, having different characteristics between systems and even between river habitats. Artificial substrata (AS) are an alternative for in situ or laboratory experiments to handle the natural variability of biofilms. However, specific research goals may require decisions on colonization time or type of substrata. Substrata properties (i.e., texture, roughness, hydrophobicity) and the colonization period and site are selective factors of biofilm characteristics. Here we describe the uses of artificial substrata in the assessment of ecological and ecotoxicological responses and propose a decision tree for the best use of artificial substrata in river biofilm studies. We propose departing from the purpose of the study to define the necessity of obtaining a realistic biofilm community, from which it may be defined the colonization time, the colonization site, and the type of artificial substratum. Having a simple or mature biofilm community should guide our decisions on the colonization time and type of substrata to be selected for the best use of AS in biofilm studies. Tests involving contaminants should avoid adsorbing materials while those ecologically oriented may use any AS mimicking those substrata occurring in the streambed.•We review the utilization of different artificial substrata to colonize biofilm in river ecology and ecotoxicology.•We propose a decision tree to guide on selecting the appropriate artificial substrata and colonization site and duration.•Type of artificial substrata (material, size, shape...) and colonization duration are to be decided according to the specific purpose of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.,University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Javier Ortiz-Rivero
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.,University of Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec 3, 17004, Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Carrer Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain.,Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain
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6
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Qin Z, Zhao Z, Xia L, Ohore OE. Research trends and hotspots of aquatic biofilms in freshwater environment during the last three decades: a critical review and bibliometric analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:47915-47930. [PMID: 35522418 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20238-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater periphytic biofilms (FPBs), existing widely in various aquatic environments, have attracted extensive attention for many years. In the present study, a bibliometric analysis based on Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was used to understand the research progress, trends, and hot topics of FPBs qualitatively and quantitatively. The results indicated that publications on FPBs have increased from 1991 to 2020 rapidly, and researchers have focused more on the areas of environmental sciences, microbiology, and marine freshwater biology. The most influential countries were mainly the USA, Spain, France, and Germany. Cooperation network analysis reflected that the USA and its affiliated institutions played crucial roles in the research of FPB cooperation, but the collaboration between core author groups still fell short. Based on the analysis of top 20 high-cited FPB documents over the last 30 years, research hotspots mainly included micro-observation and assembly mechanisms of FPBs; interactions of FPBs and pollutants including heavy metals, antibiotic resistance genes, pathogens, organic pollutants, and nanoparticles; and the role of FPBs for biogeochemical cycling, especially nitrogen cycling. Additionally, future research directions were proposed. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of FPBs, which is useful for research development and researchers who are interested in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirui Qin
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development On Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development On Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
- Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
| | - Liling Xia
- Nanjing Institute of Industry Technology, Nanjing, 210016, China
| | - Okugbe Ebiotubo Ohore
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
- Organization of African Academic Doctors, Off Kamiti Road, P.O. Box 25305-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
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7
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Flores-Vargas G, Bergsveinson J, Lawrence JR, Korber DR. Environmental Biofilms as Reservoirs for Antimicrobial Resistance. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:766242. [PMID: 34970233 PMCID: PMC8713029 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.766242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterizing the response of microbial communities to a range of antibiotic concentrations is one of the strategies used to understand the impact of antibiotic resistance. Many studies have described the occurrence and prevalence of antibiotic resistance in microbial communities from reservoirs such as hospitals, sewage, and farm feedlots, where bacteria are often exposed to high and/or constant concentrations of antibiotics. Outside of these sources, antibiotics generally occur at lower, sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). The constant exposure to low concentrations of antibiotics may serve as a chemical "cue" that drives development of antibiotic resistance. Low concentrations of antibiotics have not yet been broadly described in reservoirs outside of the aforementioned environments, nor is the transfer and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes within natural microbial communities fully understood. This review will thus focus on low antibiotic-concentration environmental reservoirs and mechanisms that are important in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance to help identify key knowledge gaps concerning the environmental resistome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - John R Lawrence
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Darren R Korber
- Food and Bioproduct Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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8
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Huang H, Liu P, Shi Y, Wu X, Gao S. Remarkable characteristics and distinct community of biofilms on the photoaged polyethylene films in riverine microcosms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118485. [PMID: 34774675 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recalcitrant plastics in the environment are gradually fragmented into weathered debris distinguished from their original state by the integrative action of influencing factors, such as UV light, heating and physical abrasion. As new artificial carbon-source substrates in aquatic ecosystems, plastic products can be colonized by biofilms and even utilized by microorganisms. To investigate the influences of weathering of plastics on the colonized biofilms, freshwater samples from the Yangtze River (Nanjing, China) were collected for biofilm incubation. Based on the characterization of plastics and biofilms, the effects of plastic surface properties on biofilm characteristics were revealed by the analysis of partial least squares regression (PLSR). Roughness was the principal influencing factor, while rigidity had the opposite effect to it. 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing results indicated the high relative abundance of Cyanobacteria and rising proportion of harmful components (e.g., Flavobacterium) on photoaged polyethylene plastics. The microbial functional profiles (KEGG) predicted by Tax4Fun showed that the functions (e.g., membrane transport, energy metabolism, etc.) of biofilm on photoaged plastics were dissimilar with those on original ones. These findings suggested that the distinct microbial community and the adverse functional changes in biofilms on photoaged plastics potentially enhanced their environmental risks. On the other hand, 28-day cultured biofilms on original low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films were dominated by Exiguobacterium. The previously ignored potentials of this microorganism in rapidly accommodating to a hydrophobic substrate and its plastic degrading ability were both worthy of attention. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the weathering process of plastics in exploring the "plastisphere", and to give further insights into the double-edged nature of the "plastisphere".
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Affiliation(s)
- Hexinyue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Remple KL, Silbiger NJ, Quinlan ZA, Fox MD, Kelly LW, Donahue MJ, Nelson CE. Coral reef biofilm bacterial diversity and successional trajectories are structured by reef benthic organisms and shift under chronic nutrient enrichment. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2021; 7:84. [PMID: 34853316 PMCID: PMC8636626 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-021-00252-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Work on marine biofilms has primarily focused on host-associated habitats for their roles in larval recruitment and disease dynamics; little is known about the factors regulating the composition of reef environmental biofilms. To contrast the roles of succession, benthic communities and nutrients in structuring marine biofilms, we surveyed bacteria communities in biofilms through a six-week succession in aquaria containing macroalgae, coral, or reef sand factorially crossed with three levels of continuous nutrient enrichment. Our findings demonstrate how biofilm successional trajectories diverge from temporal dynamics of the bacterioplankton and how biofilms are structured by the surrounding benthic organisms and nutrient enrichment. We identify a suite of biofilm-associated bacteria linked with the orthogonal influences of corals, algae and nutrients and distinct from the overlying water. Our results provide a comprehensive characterization of marine biofilm successional dynamics and contextualize the impact of widespread changes in reef community composition and nutrient pollution on biofilm community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina L. Remple
- grid.410445.00000 0001 2188 0957Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI USA
| | - Nyssa J. Silbiger
- grid.253563.40000 0001 0657 9381Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, CA USA
| | - Zachary A. Quinlan
- grid.263081.e0000 0001 0790 1491Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Michael D. Fox
- grid.56466.370000 0004 0504 7510Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA
| | - Linda Wegley Kelly
- grid.263081.e0000 0001 0790 1491Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Megan J. Donahue
- grid.410445.00000 0001 2188 0957Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI USA
| | - Craig E. Nelson
- grid.410445.00000 0001 2188 0957Daniel K. Inouye Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, Department of Oceanography and Sea Grant College Program, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI USA
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10
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Arias Font R, Khamis K, Milner AM, Sambrook Smith GH, Ledger ME. Low flow and heatwaves alter ecosystem functioning in a stream mesocosm experiment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 777:146067. [PMID: 33677285 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to intensify the effect of environmental stressors on riverine ecosystems. Extreme events, such as low flow and heatwaves, could have profound consequences for stream ecosystem functioning, but research on the impact of these stressors and their interaction across multiple processes, remains scarce. Here, we report the results of a two-month stream mesocosm experiment testing the effect of low flow (66% water level reduction, without gravel exposure) and heatwaves (three 8-d episodes of +5 °C above ambient with 10-15 days recovery between each episode) on a suite of ecosystem processes (i.e. detrital decomposition, biofilm accrual, ecosystem metabolism and DOC quantity and quality). Low flow reduced whole system metabolism, suppressing the rates of gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER), but elevated DOC concentration. Overall, habitat contraction was the main driver of reduced ecosystem functioning in the low flow treatment. By contrast, heatwaves increased decomposition, algal accrual, and humic-like DOC, but reduced leaf decomposition efficiency. Net ecosystem production (NEP) generally decreased across the experiment but was most pronounced for low flow and heatwaves when occurring independently. Assessment of NEP responses to the three successive heatwave events revealed that responses later in the sequence were more reduced (i.e. more similar to controls), suggesting biofilm communities may acclimate to autumn heatwaves. However, when heatwaves co-occurred with low flow, a strong reduction in both ER and GPP was observed, suggesting increased microbial mortality and reduced acclimation. Our study reveals autumn heatwaves potentially elongate the growth season for primary producers and stimulate decomposers. With climate change, river ecosystems may become more heterotrophic, with faster processing of recalcitrant carbon. Further research is required to identify the impacts on higher trophic levels, meta-community dynamics and the potential for legacy effects generated by successive low flows and heatwaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Arias Font
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Kieran Khamis
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Alexander M Milner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Gregory H Sambrook Smith
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Mark E Ledger
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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11
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Multiple Stressors Determine Community Structure and Estimated Function of River Biofilm Bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00291-20. [PMID: 32245764 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00291-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems are exposed to multiple stressors, but their individual and combined effects remain largely unexplored. Here, we investigated the response of stream biofilm bacterial communities to warming, hydrological stress, and pesticide exposure. We used 24 artificial streams on which epilithic (growing on coarse sediments) and epipsammic (growing on fine sediments) stream biofilms were maintained. Bacterial community composition and estimated function of biofilms exposed during 30 days to individual and combined stressors were assessed using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. Among the individual effects by stressors, hydrological stress (i.e., a simulated low-flow situation) was the most relevant, since it significantly altered 57% of the most abundant bacterial taxa (n = 28), followed by warming (21%) and pesticide exposure (11%). Regarding the combined effects, 16% of all stressor combinations resulted in significant interactions on bacterial community composition and estimated function. Antagonistic responses prevailed (57 to 89% of all significant interactions), followed by synergisms (11 to 43%), on specific bacterial taxa, indicating that multiple-stressor scenarios could lead to unexpected shifts in the community composition and associated functions of riverine bacterial communities.IMPORTANCE Freshwater ecosystems such as rivers are of crucial importance for human well-being. However, human activities result in many stressors (e.g., toxic chemicals, increased water temperatures, and hydrological alterations) cooccurring in rivers and streams worldwide. Among the many organisms inhabiting rivers and streams, bacteria are ecologically crucial; they are placed at the base of virtually all food webs and they recycle the organic matter needed for bigger organisms. Most of these bacteria are in close contact with river substratum, where they form the biofilms. There is an urgent need to evaluate the effects of these stressors on river biofilms, so we can anticipate future environmental problems. In this study, we experimentally exposed river biofilms to a pesticide mixture, an increase in water temperature and a simulated low-flow condition, in order to evaluate the individual and joint effects of these stressors on the bacterial community composition and estimated function.
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12
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Gionchetta G, Oliva F, Romaní AM, Bañeras L. Hydrological variations shape diversity and functional responses of streambed microbes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 714:136838. [PMID: 32018979 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microbiota inhabiting the intermittent streambeds mediates several in-stream processes that are essential for ecosystem function. Reduced stream discharge caused by the strengthened intermittency and increased duration of the dry phase is a spreading global response to changes in climate. Here, the impacts of a 5-month desiccation, one-week rewetting and punctual storms, which interrupted the dry period, were examined. The genomic composition of total (DNA) and active (RNA) diversity, and the community level physiological profiles (CLPP) were considered as proxies for functional diversity to describe both prokaryotes and eukaryotes inhabiting the surface and hyporheic streambeds. Comparisons between the genomic and potential functional responses helped to understand how and whether the microbial diversity was sensitive to the environmental conditions and resource acquisition, such as water stress and extracellular enzyme activities, respectively. RNA expression showed the strongest relationship with the environmental conditions and resource acquisition, being more responsive to changing conditions compared to DNA diversity, especially in the case of prokaryotes. The DNA results presumably reflected the legacy of the treatments because inactive, dormant, or dead cells were included, suggesting a slow microbial biomass turnover or responses of the microbial communities to changes mainly through physiological acclimation. On the other hand, microbial functional diversity was largely explained by resources acquisition, such as metrics of extracellular enzymes, and appeared vulnerable to the hydrological changes and duration of desiccation. The data highlight the need to improve the functional assessment of stream ecosystems with the application of complementary metrics to better describe the streambed microbial dynamics under dry-rewet stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gionchetta
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain.
| | - F Oliva
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A M Romaní
- GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - L Bañeras
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, 17003 Girona, Spain
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13
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Stutter M, Wyness A, Watson H, Dodd N. Coupled macronutrient cycling in stream biofilms: Effects of stoichiometry, light and temperature. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 703:134880. [PMID: 31753493 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Stream biofilms have the capacity to modify the passage of macronutrients through catchments as they respond to nutrient compositions and ratios from different sources. Knowledge of coupled cycling of N, P and organic C in flowing freshwaters is essential to understanding and predicting aquatic ecosystems responses to environmental change comprising multiple chemical and physical stressors. Colonisation on nutrient diffusing substrates (glucose-C, inorganic NP, combined CNP and control applied in-situ in an oligotrophic, upland stream) led to biofilms differing in community and element compositions. The 72 biofilms were transferred to replicated recirculating water chambers (1 L volume) for 4-days where additional effects of light and temperature treatments were investigated on nutrient exchange with the water column. Chemical (nutrient analyses, 13C, 15N tracing, stoichiometry) and biological (chlorophyll, TRFLP) analyses were performed to understand the biofilm composition changes and interaction with the water column. Biofilms combining C with NP incorporated more N and P relative to controls than did those with NP alone. During the chamber phase C-treated biofilms resulted in lower water column N, P concentrations with CNP relative to NP treatments. The effects of the light and temperature were manifested mainly in impaired net nutrient uptake at temperature deviating from ambient stream temperatures. The effects of organic C on N, P cycling (and vice-versa) in mixed biofilms and their interaction with waters is a developing field. Combining in-stream and chamber tests has shown potential for studying in controlled and replicated systems such complex interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Stutter
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB158QH, UK; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA14YQ, UK.
| | - Adam Wyness
- Sediment Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK; Coastal Research Group, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Helen Watson
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB158QH, UK
| | - Nikki Dodd
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB158QH, UK
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14
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Weitere M, Erken M, Majdi N, Arndt H, Norf H, Reinshagen M, Traunspurger W, Walterscheid A, Wey JK. The food web perspective on aquatic biofilms. ECOL MONOGR 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Markus Weitere
- Department River Ecology; Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research - UFZ; Brückstrasse 3a 39114 Magdeburg Germany
| | - Martina Erken
- Department River Ecology; Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research - UFZ; Brückstrasse 3a 39114 Magdeburg Germany
| | - Nabil Majdi
- Department of Animal Ecology; University of Bielefeld; Konsequenz 45 33615 Bielefeld Germany
| | - Hartmut Arndt
- General Ecology; Zoological Institute; Cologne Biocenter; University of Cologne; Zülpicher Strasse 47b 50674 Cologne Germany
| | - Helge Norf
- Department River Ecology; Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research - UFZ; Brückstrasse 3a 39114 Magdeburg Germany
- Department Aquatic Ecosystem Analyses and Management; Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research - UFZ; Brückstrasse 3a 39114 Magdeburg Germany
| | - Michael Reinshagen
- General Ecology; Zoological Institute; Cologne Biocenter; University of Cologne; Zülpicher Strasse 47b 50674 Cologne Germany
| | - Walter Traunspurger
- Department of Animal Ecology; University of Bielefeld; Konsequenz 45 33615 Bielefeld Germany
| | - Anja Walterscheid
- General Ecology; Zoological Institute; Cologne Biocenter; University of Cologne; Zülpicher Strasse 47b 50674 Cologne Germany
| | - Jennifer K. Wey
- Department River Ecology; Helmholtz Centre of Environmental Research - UFZ; Brückstrasse 3a 39114 Magdeburg Germany
- Department of Animal Ecology; Federal Institute of Hydrology; Am Mainzer Tor 1 56068 Koblenz Germany
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15
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Bengtsson MM, Wagner K, Schwab C, Urich T, Battin TJ. Light availability impacts structure and function of phototrophic stream biofilms across domains and trophic levels. Mol Ecol 2018; 27:2913-2925. [PMID: 29679511 PMCID: PMC6055792 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Phototrophic biofilms are ubiquitous in freshwater and marine environments where they are critical for biogeochemical cycling, food webs and in industrial applications. In streams, phototrophic biofilms dominate benthic microbial life and harbour an immense prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial biodiversity with biotic interactions across domains and trophic levels. Here, we examine how community structure and function of these biofilms respond to varying light availability, as the crucial energy source for phototrophic biofilms. Using metatranscriptomics, we found that under light limitation‐dominant phototrophs, including diatoms and cyanobacteria, displayed a remarkable plasticity in their photosynthetic machinery manifested as higher abundance of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in photosynthesis and chloroplast ribosomal RNA. Under higher light availability, bacterial mRNAs involved in phosphorus metabolism, mainly from Betaproteobacteria and Cyanobacteria, increased, likely compensating for nutrient depletion in thick biofilms with high biomass. Consumers, including diverse ciliates, displayed community shifts indicating preferential grazing on algae instead of bacteria under higher light. For the first time, we show that the functional integrity of stream biofilms under variable light availability is maintained by structure–function adaptations on several trophic levels. Our findings shed new light on complex biofilms, or “microbial jungles”, where in analogy to forests, diverse and multitrophic level communities lend stability to ecosystem functioning. This multitrophic level perspective, coupling metatranscriptomics to process measurements, could advance understanding of microbial‐driven ecosystems beyond biofilms, including planktonic and soil environments. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.14733
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia M Bengtsson
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Limnology and Oceanography, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karoline Wagner
- Department of Limnology and Oceanography, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clarissa Schwab
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tim Urich
- Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Tom J Battin
- Stream Biofilm and Ecosystem Research Laboratory, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), ENAC, Lausanne, Switzerland
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16
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Smale DA, Taylor JD, Coombs SH, Moore G, Cunliffe M. Community responses to seawater warming are conserved across diverse biological groupings and taxonomic resolutions. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2017.0534. [PMID: 28878056 PMCID: PMC5597821 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Temperature variability is a major driver of ecological pattern, with recent changes in average and extreme temperatures having significant impacts on populations, communities and ecosystems. In the marine realm, very few experiments have manipulated temperature in situ, and current understanding of temperature effects on community dynamics is limited. We developed new technology for precise seawater temperature control to examine warming effects on communities of bacteria, microbial eukaryotes (protists) and metazoans. Despite highly contrasting phylogenies, size spectra and diversity levels, the three community types responded similarly to seawater warming treatments of +3°C and +5°C, highlighting the critical and overarching importance of temperature in structuring communities. Temperature effects were detectable at coarse taxonomic resolutions and many taxa responded positively to warming, leading to increased abundances at the community-level. Novel field-based experimental approaches are essential to improve mechanistic understanding of how ocean warming will alter the structure and functioning of diverse marine communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan A Smale
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | - Joe D Taylor
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK.,Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Steve H Coombs
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK
| | | | - Michael Cunliffe
- Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, Plymouth PL1 2PB, UK.,Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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17
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Freixa A, Acuña V, Casellas M, Pecheva S, Romaní AM. Warmer night-time temperature promotes microbial heterotrophic activity and modifies stream sediment community. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2017; 23:3825-3837. [PMID: 28208235 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Diel temperature patterns are changing because of global warming, with higher temperatures being predicted to be more pronounced at night. Biological reactions are temperature dependent, with some occurring only during the daylight hours (e.g., light photosynthesis) and other during the entire day (e.g., respiration). Consequently, we expect the modification of daily temperature cycles to alter microbial biological reactions in stream sediments. Here, we aimed to study the effect of warming and changes of the diel temperature patterns on stream sediment biofilm functions tied to organic carbon decomposition, as well as on biofilm meiofaunal community structure. We performed an eight-week experiment with 12 artificial streams subjected to three different diel temperature patterns: warming, warmer nights and control. Significant effects of warming on biofilm function and structure were mainly detected in the long term. Our results showed that warming altered biofilm function, especially in the warmer nights' treatment, which enhanced β-glucosidase enzyme activity. Interestingly, clear opposite diel patterns were observed for dissolved organic carbon and β-glucosidase activity, suggesting that, at night, sediment bacteria quickly consume the input of photosynthetic dissolved organic carbon labile compounds created during light-time. The biofilm structure was also altered by warming, as both warming and warmer night treatments enhanced copepod abundance and diminished abundances of turbellaria and nematodes, which, in turn, controlled bacterial, algal and ciliate communities. Overall, we conclude that warming has strong effect on sediment biofilm structure and enhanced microbial organic matter degradation which might, consequently, affect higher trophic levels and river carbon cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Freixa
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | - Maria Casellas
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Girona, Spain
| | | | - Anna M Romaní
- Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
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18
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Bridier A, Piard JC, Pandin C, Labarthe S, Dubois-Brissonnet F, Briandet R. Spatial Organization Plasticity as an Adaptive Driver of Surface Microbial Communities. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1364. [PMID: 28775718 PMCID: PMC5517491 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are dynamic habitats which constantly evolve in response to environmental fluctuations and thereby constitute remarkable survival strategies for microorganisms. The modulation of biofilm functional properties is largely governed by the active remodeling of their three-dimensional structure and involves an arsenal of microbial self-produced components and interconnected mechanisms. The production of matrix components, the spatial reorganization of ecological interactions, the generation of physiological heterogeneity, the regulation of motility, the production of actives enzymes are for instance some of the processes enabling such spatial organization plasticity. In this contribution, we discussed the foundations of architectural plasticity as an adaptive driver of biofilms through the review of the different microbial strategies involved. Moreover, the possibility to harness such characteristics to sculpt biofilm structure as an attractive approach to control their functional properties, whether beneficial or deleterious, is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Bridier
- Antibiotics, Biocides, Residues and Resistance Unit, Fougères Laboratory, ANSESFougères, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Piard
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayJouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Caroline Pandin
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayJouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Simon Labarthe
- MaIAGE, INRA, Université Paris-SaclayJouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | - Romain Briandet
- Micalis Institute, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-SaclayJouy-en-Josas, France
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19
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Pseudo-Second-Order Calcium-Mediated Cryptosporidium parvum Oocyst Attachment to Environmental Biofilms. Appl Environ Microbiol 2016; 83:AEM.02339-16. [PMID: 27793825 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02339-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts are able to infect a wide range of mammals, including humans, via fecal-oral transmission. The remobilization of biofilm-associated C. parvum oocysts back into the water column by biofilm sloughing or bulk erosion poses a threat to public health and may be responsible for waterborne outbreaks; thus, the investigation of C. parvum attachment mechanisms to biofilms, particularly the physical and chemical factors controlling oocyst attachment to biofilms, is essential to predict the behavior of oocysts in the environment. In our study, biofilms were grown in rotating annular bioreactors using prefiltered stream water (0.2-μm retention) and rock biofilms (6-μm retention) until the mean biofilm thickness reached steady state. Oocyst deposition followed a calcium-mediated pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Kinetic parameters (i.e., initial oocyst deposition rate constant and total number of oocysts adhered to biofilms at equilibrium) from the model were then used to evaluate the impact of water conductivity on the attachment of oocysts to biofilms. Oocyst deposition was independent of solution ionic strength; instead, the presence of calcium enhanced oocyst attachment, as demonstrated by deposition tests. Calcium was identified as the predominant factor that bridges the carboxylic functional groups on biofilm and oocyst surfaces to cause attachment. The pseudo-second-order kinetic profile fit all experimental conditions, regardless of water chemistry and/or lighting conditions. IMPORTANCE The cation bridging model in our study provides new insights into the impact of calcium on the attachment of C. parvum oocysts to environmental biofilms. The kinetic parameters derived from the model could be further analyzed to elucidate the behavior of oocysts in commonly encountered complex aquatic systems, which will enable future innovations in parasite detection and treatment technologies to protect public health.
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20
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Mieczan T, Adamczuk M. Ecology of Ciliates in Microbial Mats in Small Ponds: Relationship to Environmental Parameters (King George Island, Maritime Antarctica). ANN ZOOL FENN 2016. [DOI: 10.5735/086.053.0409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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21
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Battin TJ, Besemer K, Bengtsson MM, Romani AM, Packmann AI. The ecology and biogeochemistry of stream biofilms. Nat Rev Microbiol 2016; 14:251-63. [DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro.2016.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 555] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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22
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Sathe P, Richter J, Myint MTZ, Dobretsov S, Dutta J. Self-decontaminating photocatalytic zinc oxide nanorod coatings for prevention of marine microfouling: a mesocosm study. BIOFOULING 2016; 32:383-95. [PMID: 26930216 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2016.1146256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The antifouling (AF) properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod coated glass substrata were investigated in an out-door mesocosm experiment under natural sunlight (14:10 light: dark photoperiod) over a period of five days. The total bacterial density (a six-fold reduction) and viability (a three-fold reduction) was significantly reduced by nanocoatings in the presence of sunlight. In the absence of sunlight, coated and control substrata were colonized equally by bacteria. MiSeq Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA genes revealed distinct bacterial communities on the nanocoated and control substrata in the presence and absence of light. Diatom communities also varied on nanocoated substrata in the presence and the absence of light. The observed AF activity of the ZnO nanocoatings is attributed to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through photocatalysis in the presence of sunlight. These nanocoatings are a significant step towards the production of an environmentally friendly AF coating that utilizes a sustainable supply of sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Sathe
- a Department of Marine Science & Fisheries, College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences , Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Sultanate of Oman
- b Chair in Nanotechnology, Water Research Center , Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Sultanate of Oman
| | - Jutta Richter
- a Department of Marine Science & Fisheries, College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences , Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Sultanate of Oman
- c Hochschule Bremerhaven , Bremerhaven , Germany
| | - Myo Tay Zar Myint
- b Chair in Nanotechnology, Water Research Center , Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Sultanate of Oman
- d Department of Physics, College of Science , Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Sultanate of Oman
| | - Sergey Dobretsov
- a Department of Marine Science & Fisheries, College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences , Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Sultanate of Oman
| | - Joydeep Dutta
- b Chair in Nanotechnology, Water Research Center , Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Sultanate of Oman
- e Functional Materials Division, Materials and Nano-Physics Department , ICT School, KTH Royal Institute of Technology , Kista Stockholm , Sweden
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23
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Lang JM, McEwan RW, Benbow ME. Abiotic autumnal organic matter deposition and grazing disturbance effects on epilithic biofilm succession. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 91:fiv060. [PMID: 26038240 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stream epilithic biofilm community assembly is influenced in part by environmental factors. Autumn leaf deposition is an annual resource subsidy to streams, but the physical effects of leaves settling on epilithic biofilms has not been investigated.We hypothesized that bacterial and microeukaryotic community assembly would follow a successional sequence that was mediated by abiotic effects that were simulating leaf deposition (reduced light and flow) and by biotic (snail grazing)disturbance. This hypothesis was tested using an in situ experimental manipulation. Ambient biofilms had greater algal biomass and distinct ARISA community profiles compared to biofilms developed under manipulated conditions. There were no significant differences in biofilm characteristics associated with grazing, suggesting that results were driven by reduced light/flow rather than invertebrate disturbance; however, grazing appeared to increase bacterial taxon richness.Interestingly at day 38, all treatments grouped together in ordination space and had similar algal/total biomass ratios. We suggest that algal priming promoted a shift in ambient biofilms but that this effect is dependent upon successional timing of algal establishment. These data demonstrate that abiotic effects were more influential than local grazing disturbance and imply that leaf litter deposition may have bottom-up effects on the stream ecosystem through altered epilithic biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Lang
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469-2320, USA
| | - Ryan W McEwan
- Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469-2320, USA
| | - M Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology and Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University, 243 Natural Science Bldg., 288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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Besemer K. Biodiversity, community structure and function of biofilms in stream ecosystems. Res Microbiol 2015; 166:774-81. [PMID: 26027773 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Multi-species, surface-attached biofilms often dominate microbial life in streams and rivers, where they contribute substantially to biogeochemical processes. The microbial diversity of natural biofilms is huge, and may have important implications for the functioning of aquatic environments and the ecosystem services they provide. Yet the causes and consequences of biofilm biodiversity remain insufficiently understood. This review aims to give an overview of current knowledge on the distribution of stream biofilm biodiversity, the mechanisms generating biodiversity patterns and the relationship between biofilm biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Besemer
- School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Rankine Building, Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow G12 8LT, United Kingdom; Department of Limnology and Bio-Oceanography, University of Vienna, Vienna Ecology Center, Althanstraße 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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