1
|
Osman JR, Castillo J, Sanhueza V, Miller AZ, Novoselov A, Cotoras D, Morales D. Key energy metabolisms in modern living microbialites from hypersaline Andean lagoons of the Salar de Atacama, Chile. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 937:173469. [PMID: 38788953 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Microbialites are organosedimentary structures formed mainly due to the precipitation of carbonate minerals, although they can also incorporate siliceous, phosphate, ferric, and sulfate minerals. The minerals' precipitation occurs because of local chemical changes triggered by changes in pH and redox transformations catalyzed by the microbial energy metabolisms. Here, geochemistry, metagenomics, and bioinformatics tools reveal the key energy metabolisms of microbial mats, stromatolites and an endoevaporite distributed across four hypersaline lagoons from the Salar de Atacama. Chemoautotrophic and chemoheterotrophic microorganisms seem to coexist and influence microbialite formation. The microbialite types of each lagoon host unique microbial communities and metabolisms that influence their geochemistry. Among them, photosynthetic, carbon- and nitrogen- fixing and sulfate-reducing microorganisms appear to control the main biogeochemical cycles. Genes associated with non-conventional energy pathways identified in MAGs, such as hydrogen production/consumption, arsenic oxidation/reduction, manganese oxidation and selenium reduction, also contribute to support life in microbialites. The presence of genes encoding for enzymes associated with ureolytic processes in the Cyanobacteria phylum and Gammaproteobacteria class might induce carbonate precipitation in hypersaline environments, contributing to the microbialites formation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study characterizing metagenomically microbialites enriched in manganese and identifying metabolic pathways associated with manganese oxidation, selenium reduction, and ureolysis in this ecosystem, which suggests that the geochemistry and bioavailability of energy sources (As, Mn and Se) shapes the microbial metabolisms in the microbialites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge R Osman
- Instituto de Geología Económica Aplicada (GEA), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
| | - Julio Castillo
- University of the Free State, Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Vilma Sanhueza
- Instituto de Geología Económica Aplicada (GEA), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Ana Z Miller
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS-CSIC), Av. Reina Mercedes 10, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Alexey Novoselov
- Instituto de Geología Económica Aplicada (GEA), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Davor Cotoras
- Laboratorio de Microbiología y Biotecnología, Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santos Dumont #964, Independencia, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Morales
- Instituto de Geología Económica Aplicada (GEA), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cubillos CF, Aguilar P, Moreira D, Bertolino P, Iniesto M, Dorador C, López-García P. Exploring the prokaryote-eukaryote interplay in microbial mats from an Andean athalassohaline wetland. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0007224. [PMID: 38456669 PMCID: PMC10986560 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00072-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial community assembly results from the interaction between biotic and abiotic factors. However, environmental selection is thought to predominantly shape communities in extreme ecosystems. Salar de Huasco, situated in the high-altitude Andean Altiplano, represents a poly-extreme ecosystem displaying spatial gradients of physicochemical conditions. To disentangle the influence of abiotic and biotic factors, we studied prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities from microbial mats and underlying sediments across contrasting areas of this athalassohaline ecosystem. The prokaryotic communities were primarily composed of bacteria, notably including a significant proportion of photosynthetic organisms like Cyanobacteria and anoxygenic photosynthetic members of Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria and Chloroflexi. Additionally, Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Deltaproteobacteria were abundantly represented. Among eukaryotes, photosynthetic organisms (Ochrophyta and Archaeplastida) were predominant, alongside relatively abundant ciliates, cercozoans, and flagellated fungi. Salinity emerged as a key driver for the assembly of prokaryotic communities. Collectively, abiotic factors influenced both prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities, particularly those of algae. However, prokaryotic communities strongly correlated with photosynthetic eukaryotes, suggesting a pivotal role of biotic interactions in shaping these communities. Co-occurrence networks suggested potential interactions between different organisms, such as diatoms with specific photosynthetic and heterotrophic bacteria or with protist predators, indicating influences beyond environmental selection. While some associations may be explained by environmental preferences, the robust biotic correlations, alongside insights from other ecosystems and experimental studies, suggest that symbiotic and trophic interactions significantly shape microbial mat and sediment microbial communities in this athalassohaline ecosystem.IMPORTANCEHow biotic and abiotic factors influence microbial community assembly is still poorly defined. Here, we explore their influence on prokaryotic and eukaryotic community assembly within microbial mats and sediments of an Andean high-altitude polyextreme wetland system. We show that, in addition to abiotic elements, mutual interactions exist between prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities. Notably, photosynthetic eukaryotes exhibit a strong correlation with prokaryotic communities, specifically diatoms with certain bacteria and other protists. Our findings underscore the significance of biotic interactions in community assembly and emphasize the necessity of considering the complete microbial community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolina F. Cubillos
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Pablo Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana, Instituto Antofagasta and Centro de Bioingeniería y Biotecnología (CeBiB), Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids - INVASAL, Concepción, Chile
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Paola Bertolino
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Miguel Iniesto
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Cristina Dorador
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana, Instituto Antofagasta and Centro de Bioingeniería y Biotecnología (CeBiB), Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Garuglieri E, Marasco R, Odobel C, Chandra V, Teillet T, Areias C, Sánchez-Román M, Vahrenkamp V, Daffonchio D. Searching for microbial contribution to micritization of shallow marine sediments. Environ Microbiol 2024; 26:e16573. [PMID: 38217094 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Micritization is an early diagenetic process that gradually alters primary carbonate sediment grains through cycles of dissolution and reprecipitation of microcrystalline calcite (micrite). Typically observed in modern shallow marine environments, micritic textures have been recognized as a vital component of storage and flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs, attracting scientific and economic interests. Due to their endolithic activity and the ability to promote nucleation and reprecipitation of carbonate crystals, microorganisms have progressively been shown to be key players in micritization, placing this process at the boundary between the geological and biological realms. However, published research is mainly based on geological and geochemical perspectives, overlooking the biological and ecological complexity of microbial communities of micritized sediments. In this paper, we summarize the state-of-the-art and research gaps in micritization from a microbial ecology perspective. Since a growing body of literature successfully applies in vitro and in situ 'fishing' strategies to unveil elusive microorganisms and expand our knowledge of microbial diversity, we encourage their application to the study of micritization. By employing these strategies in micritization research, we advocate promoting an interdisciplinary approach/perspective to identify and understand the overlooked/neglected microbial players and key pathways governing this phenomenon and their ecology/dynamics, reshaping our comprehension of this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Garuglieri
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ramona Marasco
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Charlene Odobel
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Viswasanthi Chandra
- Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thomas Teillet
- Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Camila Areias
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mónica Sánchez-Román
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Volker Vahrenkamp
- Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniele Daffonchio
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
López-García P, Gutiérrez-Preciado A, Krupovic M, Ciobanu M, Deschamps P, Jardillier L, López-Pérez M, Rodríguez-Valera F, Moreira D. Metagenome-derived virus-microbe ratios across ecosystems. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1552-1563. [PMID: 37169871 PMCID: PMC10504350 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01431-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
It is generally assumed that viruses outnumber cells on Earth by at least tenfold. Virus-to-microbe ratios (VMR) are largely based on counts of fluorescently labelled virus-like particles. However, these exclude intracellular viruses and potentially include false positives (DNA-containing vesicles, gene-transfer agents, unspecifically stained inert particles). Here, we develop a metagenome-based VMR estimate (mVRM) that accounts for DNA viruses across all stages of their replication cycles (virion, intracellular lytic and lysogenic) by using normalised RPKM (reads per kilobase of gene sequence per million of mapped metagenome reads) counts of the major capsid protein (MCP) genes and cellular universal single-copy genes (USCGs) as proxies for virus and cell counts, respectively. After benchmarking this strategy using mock metagenomes with increasing VMR, we inferred mVMR across different biomes. To properly estimate mVMR in aquatic ecosystems, we generated metagenomes from co-occurring cellular and viral fractions (>50 kDa-200 µm size-range) in freshwater, seawater and solar saltern ponds (10 metagenomes, 2 control metaviromes). Viruses outnumbered cells in freshwater by ~13 fold and in plankton from marine and saline waters by ~2-4 fold. However, across an additional set of 121 diverse non-aquatic metagenomes including microbial mats, microbialites, soils, freshwater and marine sediments and metazoan-associated microbiomes, viruses, on average, outnumbered cells by barely two-fold. Although viruses likely are the most diverse biological entities on Earth, their global numbers might be closer to those of cells than previously estimated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Purificación López-García
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Ana Gutiérrez-Preciado
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mart Krupovic
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR6047, Archaeal Virology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Maria Ciobanu
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Philippe Deschamps
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ludwig Jardillier
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Mario López-Pérez
- Departamento de Producción Vegetal y Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain
| | | | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iniesto M, Moreira D, Benzerara K, Reboul G, Bertolino P, Tavera R, López‐García P. Planktonic microbial communities from microbialite-bearing lakes sampled along a salinity-alkalinity gradient. LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY 2022; 67:2718-2733. [PMID: 37064594 PMCID: PMC10087431 DOI: 10.1002/lno.12233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Continental freshwater systems are particularly vulnerable to environmental variation. Climate change-induced desertification and the anthropogenic exploitation of hydric resources result in the progressive evaporation and salinization of inland water bodies in many areas of the globe. However, how this process impacts microbial communities and their activities in biogeochemical cycles is poorly known. Here, we take a space-for-time substitution approach and characterize the prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities of two planktonic cell-size fractions (0.2-5 μm and 5-30 μm) from lakes of diverse trophic levels sampled along a salinity-alkalinity gradient located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). We applied a 16S/18S rRNA gene metabarcoding strategy to determine the microbial community composition of 54 samples from 12 different lakes, from the low-salinity lake Zirahuén to the hypersaline residual ponds of Rincón de Parangueo. Except for systems at both extremes of the salinity gradient, most lakes along the evaporation trend bear actively forming microbialites, which harbor microbial communities clearly distinct from those of plankton. Several lakes were sampled in winter and late spring and the crater lakes Alchichica and Atexcac were sampled across the water column. Physicochemical parameters related to salinity-alkalinity were the most influential drivers of microbial community structure whereas trophic status, depth, or season were less important. Our results suggest that climate change and anthropogenic-induced hydric deficit could significantly affect microbial communities, potentially altering ecosystem functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Iniesto
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRSUniversité Paris‐Saclay, AgroParisTechOrsayFrance
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRSUniversité Paris‐Saclay, AgroParisTechOrsayFrance
| | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRSSorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire NaturelleParisFrance
| | - Guillaume Reboul
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRSUniversité Paris‐Saclay, AgroParisTechOrsayFrance
| | - Paola Bertolino
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRSUniversité Paris‐Saclay, AgroParisTechOrsayFrance
| | - Rosaluz Tavera
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMexico CityMexico
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Xu T, Tao Y, Song L, Wang H, Ren B. A unique microbiome in a highly polluted and alkalic lake in a seasonally frozen area. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112056. [PMID: 34534523 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Highly polluted waters profoundly promoted microbial activities and vice versa. Although microbial community structures and bioprocesses in polluted environments have been fully investigated, they are rarely uncovered in abandoned and highly polluted aquatic environment, especially in a seasonally frozen area. East Lake had been polluted by surrounding paper mills and dairy plants from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Under low biodegradability (BOD5/COD ratio<0.2) and alkalic (pH > 9) conditions, a unique microbiome was discovered in East lake. Proteobacteria was the largest taxonomic group in the microbial community, covering almost half of the top-100 genera. Among them, seven genera are sulfate-reducing bacteria, including Desulfuromusa, Desulfuromonas, Desulfobulbus, Desulfocapsa, Desulfurivibrio, Desulfatiglans, and Desulfomicrobium. Functional analysis revealed abundant predicted functional genes for the respiration of sulfur compounds and sulfate respiration. Great vertical variations were found to both microbial community structures and predicted functions. This work provides unique evidence for future microbiome studies of nutrient-rich, alkalic, and seasonally frozen water habitats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiefu Xu
- School of Civil Engineering, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yu Tao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lan Song
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Binqiao Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, Harbin, 150028, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Muñoz-Gómez SA, Susko E, Williamson K, Eme L, Slamovits CH, Moreira D, López-García P, Roger AJ. Site-and-branch-heterogeneous analyses of an expanded dataset favour mitochondria as sister to known Alphaproteobacteria. Nat Ecol Evol 2022; 6:253-262. [PMID: 35027725 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-021-01638-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Determining the phylogenetic origin of mitochondria is key to understanding the ancestral mitochondrial symbiosis and its role in eukaryogenesis. However, the precise evolutionary relationship between mitochondria and their closest bacterial relatives remains hotly debated. The reasons include pervasive phylogenetic artefacts as well as limited protein and taxon sampling. Here we developed a new model of protein evolution that accommodates both across-site and across-branch compositional heterogeneity. We applied this site-and-branch-heterogeneous model (MAM60 + GFmix) to a considerably expanded dataset that comprises 108 mitochondrial proteins of alphaproteobacterial origin, and novel metagenome-assembled genomes from microbial mats, microbialites and sediments. The MAM60 + GFmix model fits the data much better and agrees with analyses of compositionally homogenized datasets with conventional site-heterogenous models. The consilience of evidence thus suggests that mitochondria are sister to the Alphaproteobacteria to the exclusion of MarineProteo1 and Magnetococcia. We also show that the ancestral presence of the crista-developing mitochondrial contact site and cristae organizing system (a mitofilin-domain-containing Mic60 protein) in mitochondria and the Alphaproteobacteria only supports their close relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A Muñoz-Gómez
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France.
| | - Edward Susko
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Kelsey Williamson
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Laura Eme
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Claudio H Slamovits
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | | | - Andrew J Roger
- Centre for Comparative Genomics and Evolutionary Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Iniesto M, Moreira D, Benzerara K, Muller E, Bertolino P, Tavera R, López-García P. Rapid formation of mature microbialites in Lake Alchichica, Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2021; 13:600-605. [PMID: 34396701 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbialites are emblematic sedimentary rocks formed by phylogenetically and metabolically complex microbial communities thriving under specific physicochemical conditions. Most microbialites are photosynthesis-based ecosystems frequently formed by carbonates, thereby capturing inorganic carbon in the form of both, organic matter and mineral precipitates. However, little is known about the amount of sequestered carbon and the kinetics of the process, that is, microbialite growth rate. To assess microbialite growth rate and the influence of substrates on carbonate formation in Alchichica, an alkaline crater lake harbouring well-developed carbonate microbialites, we incubated in situ sterilized Nylon mesh, hydromagnesite and aragonite crystals, and bleached-coral aragonite for 2 years. We observed the rapid formation of nascent hydromagnesite and aragonite-containing microbialites on Nylon mesh, with an average growth rate of ~0.6 (and up to 1) mm year-1 . By contrast, only thin (< 0.2 mm) biofilms developed on exposed hydromagnesite and aragonite crystals and bleached-coral aragonite, suggesting decoupled microbial colonization and biomineralization and/or potential interference of those mineral surfaces with new carbonate nucleation. Microbial communities associated with 2-year-old microbialites and biofilms were fully comparable to mature communities populating Lake Alchichica indigenous microbialites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Iniesto
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - David Moreira
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Elodie Muller
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Paola Bertolino
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Rosaluz Tavera
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, DF Mexico, Mexico
| | - Purificación López-García
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Saghaï A, Zivanovic Y, Moreira D, Tavera R, López-García P. A Novel Microbialite-Associated Phototrophic Chloroflexi Lineage Exhibiting a Quasi-Clonal Pattern along Depth. Genome Biol Evol 2021; 12:1207-1216. [PMID: 32544224 PMCID: PMC7486959 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chloroflexales (Chloroflexi) are typical members of the anoxygenic photosynthesizing component of microbial mats and have mostly been characterized from communities associated to hot springs. Here, we report the assembly of five metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of a novel lineage of Chloroflexales found in mesophilic lithifying microbial mats (microbialites) in Lake Alchichica (Mexico). Genomic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the bins shared 92% of their genes, and these genes were nearly identical despite being assembled from samples collected along a depth gradient (1-15 m depth). We tentatively name this lineage Candidatus Lithoflexus mexicanus. Metabolic predictions based on the MAGs suggest that these chlorosome-lacking mixotrophs share features in central carbon metabolism, electron transport, and adaptations to life under oxic and anoxic conditions, with members of two related lineages, Chloroflexineae and Roseiflexineae. Contrasting with the other diverse microbialite community members, which display much lower genomic conservation along the depth gradient, Ca. L. mexicanus MAGs exhibit remarkable similarity. This might reflect a particular flexibility to acclimate to varying light conditions with depth or the capacity to occupy a very specific spatial ecological niche in microbialites from different depths. Alternatively, Ca. L. mexicanus may also have the ability to modulate its gene expression as a function of the local environmental conditions during diel cycles in microbialites along the depth gradient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélien Saghaï
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France.,Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yvan Zivanovic
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative de la Cellule, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
| | - Rosaluz Tavera
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kurth D, Elias D, Rasuk MC, Contreras M, Farías ME. Carbon fixation and rhodopsin systems in microbial mats from hypersaline lakes Brava and Tebenquiche, Salar de Atacama, Chile. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246656. [PMID: 33561170 PMCID: PMC7872239 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, molecular diversity of two hypersaline microbial mats was compared by Whole Genome Shotgun (WGS) sequencing of environmental DNA from the mats. Brava and Tebenquiche are lakes in the Salar de Atacama, Chile, where microbial communities are growing in extreme conditions, including high salinity, high solar irradiance, and high levels of toxic metals and metaloids. Evaporation creates hypersaline conditions in these lakes and mineral precipitation is a characteristic geomicrobiological feature of these benthic ecosystems. The mat from Brava was more rich and diverse, with a higher number of different taxa and with species more evenly distributed. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the most abundant, including ~75% of total sequences. At the genus level, the most abundant sequences were affilitated to anoxygenic phototropic and cyanobacterial genera. In Tebenquiche mats, Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes covered ~70% of the sequences, and 13% of the sequences were affiliated to Salinibacter genus, thus addressing the lower diversity. Regardless of the differences at the taxonomic level, functionally the two mats were similar. Thus, similar roles could be fulfilled by different organisms. Carbon fixation through the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway was well represented in these datasets, and also in other mats from Andean lakes. In spite of presenting less taxonomic diversity, Tebenquiche mats showed increased abundance and variety of rhodopsin genes. Comparison with other metagenomes allowed identifying xantorhodopsins as hallmark genes not only from Brava and Tebenquiche mats, but also for other mats developing at high altitudes in similar environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kurth
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Microbiológicas de Lagunas Andinas (LIMLA), Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI), CCT, CONICET, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Dario Elias
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos, Oro Verde, Entre Ríos, Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Rasuk
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Microbiológicas de Lagunas Andinas (LIMLA), Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI), CCT, CONICET, Tucumán, Argentina
| | | | - María Eugenia Farías
- Laboratorio de Investigaciones Microbiológicas de Lagunas Andinas (LIMLA), Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI), CCT, CONICET, Tucumán, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Suhadolnik MLS, Costa PS, Castro GM, Lobo FP, Nascimento AMA. Comprehensive insights into arsenic- and iron-redox genes, their taxonomy and associated environmental drivers deciphered by a meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106234. [PMID: 33181412 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In nature, arsenic (As) and iron (Fe) biotransformation are interconnected, influencing local As mobility and toxicity. While As- or Fe-metabolizing microorganisms are widely documented, knowledge concerning their cycling genes, associated with geophysicochemical data and taxonomic distribution, remains scarce. We performed a meta-analysis to explore the distribution and environmental importance of As- and Fe-redox genes (AsRGs and FeRGs) and predict their significant correlations and hosts. The most abundant and ubiquitous AsRGs and FeRGs were arsC and ccoN, respectively. The ccoN gene had the highest frequency at pH ≥ 9.1, in which dissolved Fe(II) is scarce, possibly contributing to enhanced host survival. Fe(III) oxidation genes iro and ccoN appear to be associated with As(V) detoxification in mesophilic environments. No correlation was observed between Fe(III) reduction gene omcB and arsenate reductase genes. Cytochromes with putative roles in Fe-redox reactions were identified (including yceJ and fbcH) and were significantly correlated with As(V) reduction genes under diverse geophysicochemical conditions. The taxonomies of AsRGs and FeRGs-carrying contigs revealed great diversity, among which various, such as Chlamydea (arsC) and Firmicutes (omcB), were previously undescribed. Nearly all (98.9%) of the AsRGs and FeRGs were not carried by any plasmid sequences. This meta-analysis expands our understanding of the global environmental, taxonomic and functional microbiome involved in As- and Fe-redox transformations. Moreover, these findings should help guide studies on putative in vivo functional roles of cytochromes in Fe-redox pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luíza S Suhadolnik
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patrícia S Costa
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Giovanni M Castro
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Francisco P Lobo
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Andréa M A Nascimento
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Iniesto M, Moreira D, Reboul G, Deschamps P, Benzerara K, Bertolino P, Saghaï A, Tavera R, López-García P. Core microbial communities of lacustrine microbialites sampled along an alkalinity gradient. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:51-68. [PMID: 32985763 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Microbialites are usually carbonate-rich sedimentary rocks formed by the interplay of phylogenetically and metabolically complex microbial communities with their physicochemical environment. Yet, the biotic and abiotic determinants of microbialite formation remain poorly constrained. Here, we analysed the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities associated with microbialites occurring in several crater lakes of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt along an alkalinity gradient. Microbialite size and community structure correlated with lake physicochemical parameters, notably alkalinity. Although microbial community composition varied across lake microbialites, major taxa-associated functions appeared quite stable with both, oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis and, to less extent, sulphate reduction, as major putative carbonatogenic processes. Despite interlake microbialite community differences, we identified a microbial core of 247 operational taxonomic units conserved across lake microbialites, suggesting a prominent ecological role in microbialite formation. This core mostly encompassed Cyanobacteria and their typical associated taxa (Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes) and diverse anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, notably Chloroflexi, Alphaproteobacteria (Rhodobacteriales, Rhodospirilalles), Gammaproteobacteria (Chromatiaceae) and minor proportions of Chlorobi. The conserved core represented up to 40% (relative abundance) of the total community in lakes Alchichica and Atexcac, displaying the highest alkalinities and the most conspicuous microbialites. Core microbialite communities associated with carbonatogenesis might be relevant for inorganic carbon sequestration purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Iniesto
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - David Moreira
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Guillaume Reboul
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Philippe Deschamps
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Paola Bertolino
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Aurélien Saghaï
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France.,Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Rosaluz Tavera
- Departamento de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, DF Mexico, Mexico
| | - Purificación López-García
- Unité d'Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Unexpected Abundance and Diversity of Phototrophs in Mats from Morphologically Variable Microbialites in Great Salt Lake, Utah. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.00165-20. [PMID: 32198176 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00165-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial mat communities are associated with extensive (∼700 km2) and morphologically variable carbonate structures, termed microbialites, in the hypersaline Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah. However, whether the composition of GSL mat communities covaries with microbialite morphology and lake environment is unknown. Moreover, the potential adaptations that allow the establishment of these extensive mat communities at high salinity (14% to 17% total salts) are poorly understood. To address these questions, microbial mats were sampled from seven locations in the south arm of GSL representing different lake environments and microbialite morphologies. Despite the morphological differences, microbialite-associated mats were taxonomically similar and were dominated by the cyanobacterium Euhalothece and several heterotrophic bacteria. Metagenomic sequencing of a representative mat revealed Euhalothece and subdominant Thiohalocapsa populations that harbor the Calvin cycle and nitrogenase, suggesting they supply fixed carbon and nitrogen to heterotrophic bacteria. Fifteen of the next sixteen most abundant taxa are inferred to be aerobic heterotrophs and, surprisingly, harbor reaction center, rhodopsin, and/or bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis proteins, suggesting aerobic photoheterotrophic (APH) capabilities. Importantly, proteins involved in APH are enriched in the GSL community relative to that in microbialite mat communities from lower salinity environments. These findings indicate that the ability to integrate light into energy metabolism is a key adaptation allowing for robust mat development in the hypersaline GSL.IMPORTANCE The earliest evidence of life on Earth is from organosedimentary structures, termed microbialites, preserved in 3.481-billion-year-old (Ga) rocks. Phototrophic microbial mats form in association with an ∼700-km2 expanse of morphologically diverse microbialites in the hypersaline Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah. Here, we show taxonomically similar microbial mat communities are associated with morphologically diverse microbialites across the lake. Metagenomic sequencing reveals an abundance and diversity of autotrophic and heterotrophic taxa capable of harvesting light energy to drive metabolism. The unexpected abundance of and diversity in the mechanisms of harvesting light energy observed in GSL mat populations likely function to minimize niche overlap among coinhabiting taxa, provide a mechanism(s) to increase energy yield and osmotic balance during salt stress, and enhance fitness. Together, these physiological benefits promote the formation of robust mats that, in turn, influence the formation of morphologically diverse microbialite structures that can be imprinted in the rock record.
Collapse
|
14
|
Dai T, Zhang Y, Ning D, Su Z, Tang Y, Huang B, Mu Q, Wen D. Dynamics of Sediment Microbial Functional Capacity and Community Interaction Networks in an Urbanized Coastal Estuary. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2731. [PMID: 30487783 PMCID: PMC6246683 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Coastal estuaries and bays are exposed to both natural and anthropogenic environmental changes, inflicting intensive stress on the microbial communities inhabiting these areas. However, it remains unclear how microbial community diversity and their eco-functions are affected by anthropogenic disturbances rather than natural environmental changes. Here, we explored sediment microbial functional genes dynamics and community interaction networks in Hangzhou Bay (HZB), one of the most severely polluted bays on China’s eastern coast. The results indicated key microbial functional gene categories, including N, P, S, and aromatic compound metabolism, and stress response, displayed significant spatial dynamics along environmental gradients. Sensitive feedbacks of key functional gene categories to N and P pollutants demonstrated potential impacts of human-induced seawater pollutants to microbial functional capacity. Seawater ammonia and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was identified as primary drivers in selecting adaptive populations and varying community composition. Network analysis revealed distinct modules that were stimulated in inner or outer bay. Importantly, the network keystone species, which played a fundamental role in community interactions, were strongly affected by N-pollutants. Our results provide a systematic understanding of the microbial compositional and functional dynamics in an urbanized coastal estuary, and highlighted the impact of human activities on these communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Dai
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Daliang Ning
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, and School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States.,Consolidated Core Laboratory, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States.,State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiguo Su
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yushi Tang
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bei Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Zhoushan Marine Ecological Environmental Monitoring Station, Zhoushan, China
| | - Qinglin Mu
- Zhejiang Provincial Zhoushan Marine Ecological Environmental Monitoring Station, Zhoushan, China
| | - Donghui Wen
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Functional shifts in microbial mats recapitulate early Earth metabolic transitions. Nat Ecol Evol 2018; 2:1700-1708. [PMID: 30297749 PMCID: PMC6217971 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0683-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Phototrophic microbial mats dominated terrestrial ecosystems for billions of years, largely causing, through cyanobacterial oxygenic photosynthesis, but also undergoing, the Great Oxidation Event approximately 2.5 billion years ago. Taking a space-for-time approach based on the universality of core metabolic pathways expressed at ecosystem level, we studied gene content and co-occurrence networks in high-diversity metagenomes from spatially close microbial mats along a steep redox gradient. The observed functional shifts suggest that anoxygenic photosynthesis was present but not predominant under early Precambrian conditions, being accompanied by other autotrophic processes. Our data also suggest that, in contrast to general assumptions, anoxygenic photosynthesis largely expanded in parallel with the subsequent evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic respiration. Finally, our observations might represent space-for-time evidence that the Wood-Ljungdahl carbon fixation pathway dominated phototrophic mats in early ecosystems, whereas the Calvin cycle probably evolved from pre-existing variants before becoming the dominant contemporary form of carbon fixation.
Collapse
|
16
|
Wong HL, White RA, Visscher PT, Charlesworth JC, Vázquez-Campos X, Burns BP. Disentangling the drivers of functional complexity at the metagenomic level in Shark Bay microbial mat microbiomes. ISME JOURNAL 2018; 12:2619-2639. [PMID: 29980796 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-018-0208-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The functional metagenomic potential of Shark Bay microbial mats was examined for the first time at a millimeter scale, employing shotgun sequencing of communities via the Illumina NextSeq 500 platform in conjunction with defined chemical analyses. A detailed functional metagenomic profile has elucidated key pathways and facilitated inference of critical microbial interactions. In addition, 87 medium-to-high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAG) were assembled, including potentially novel bins under the deep-branching archaeal Asgard group (Thorarchaetoa and Lokiarchaeota). A range of pathways involved in carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus cycles were identified in mat metagenomes, with the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway over-represented and inferred as a major carbon fixation mode. The top five sets of genes were affiliated to sulfate assimilation (cysNC cysNCD, sat), methanogenesis (hdrABC), Wood-Ljungdahl pathways (cooS, coxSML), phosphate transport (pstB), and copper efflux (copA). Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase genes were over-represented at the surface, with PHA serving as a potential storage of fixed carbon. Sulfur metabolism genes were highly represented, in particular complete sets of genes responsible for both assimilatory and dissimilatory sulfate reduction. Pathways of environmental adaptation (UV, hypersalinity, oxidative stress, and heavy metal resistance) were also delineated, as well as putative viral defensive mechanisms (core genes of the CRISPR, BREX, and DISARM systems). This study provides new metagenome-based models of how biogeochemical cycles and adaptive responses may be partitioned in the microbial mats of Shark Bay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hon Lun Wong
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard Allen White
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman, USA
| | - Pieter T Visscher
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - James C Charlesworth
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Xabier Vázquez-Campos
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brendan P Burns
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Australian Centre for Astrobiology, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Valdespino-Castillo PM, Hu P, Merino-Ibarra M, López-Gómez LM, Cerqueda-García D, González-De Zayas R, Pi-Puig T, Lestayo JA, Holman HY, Falcón LI. Exploring Biogeochemistry and Microbial Diversity of Extant Microbialites in Mexico and Cuba. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:510. [PMID: 29666607 PMCID: PMC5891642 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbialites are modern analogs of ancient microbial consortia that date as far back as the Archaean Eon. Microbialites have contributed to the geochemical history of our planet through their diverse metabolic capacities that mediate mineral precipitation. These mineral-forming microbial assemblages accumulate major ions, trace elements and biomass from their ambient aquatic environments; their role in the resulting chemical structure of these lithifications needs clarification. We studied the biogeochemistry and microbial structure of microbialites collected from diverse locations in Mexico and in a previously undescribed microbialite in Cuba. We examined their structure, chemistry and mineralogy at different scales using an array of nested methods including 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, elemental analysis, X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Synchrotron Radiation-based Fourier Transformed Infrared (SR-FTIR) spectromicroscopy. The resulting data revealed high biological and chemical diversity among microbialites and specific microbe to chemical correlations. Regardless of the sampling site, Proteobacteria had the most significant correlations with biogeochemical parameters such as organic carbon (Corg), nitrogen and Corg:Ca ratio. Biogeochemically relevant bacterial groups (dominant phototrophs and heterotrophs) showed significant correlations with major ion composition, mineral type and transition element content, such as cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper and nickel. Microbial-chemical relationships were discussed in reference to microbialite formation, microbial metabolic capacities and the role of transition elements as enzyme cofactors. This paper provides an analytical baseline to drive our understanding of the links between microbial diversity with the chemistry of their lithified precipitations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M Valdespino-Castillo
- Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Ping Hu
- Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Martín Merino-Ibarra
- Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luz M López-Gómez
- Unidad Académica de Ecología y Biodiversidad Acuática, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniel Cerqueda-García
- Laboratorio de Ecología Bacteriana, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Teresa Pi-Puig
- Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Laboratorio Nacional de Geoquímica y Mineralogía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Julio A Lestayo
- Centro de Investigaciones de Ecosistemas Costeros, Cayo Coco, Cuba
| | - Hoi-Ying Holman
- Climate and Ecosystem Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States.,Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Luisa I Falcón
- Laboratorio de Ecología Bacteriana, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|