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Mazzoni C, Piacentini A, Di Bella L, Aldega L, Perinelli C, Conte AM, Ingrassia M, Ruspandini T, Bonfanti A, Caraba B, Falese FG, Chiocci FL, Fazi S. Carbonate precipitation and phosphate trapping by microbialite isolates from an alkaline insular lake (Bagno dell'Acqua, Pantelleria Island, Italy). Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1391968. [PMID: 38841062 PMCID: PMC11150794 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1391968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The Bagno dell'Acqua lake is characterized by CO2 emissions, alkaline waters (pH = 9) and Eh values which indicate strongly oxidizing conditions. A typical feature of the lake is the presence of actively growing microbialites rich in calcium carbonates and silica precipitates. Mineralogy, petrography and morphology analyses of the microbialites were coupled with the analysis of the microbial community, combining molecular and cultivation approaches. The DNA sequencing revealed distinct patterns of microbial diversity, showing pronounced differences between emerged and submerged microbialite, with the upper layer of emerged samples exhibiting the most distinctive composition, both in terms of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In particular, the most representative phyla in the microbial community were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota, while Cyanobacteria were present only with an average of 5%, with the highest concentration in the submerged intermediate layer (12%). The role of microorganisms in carbonate mineral formation was clearly demonstrated as most of the isolates were able to precipitate calcium carbonate and five of them were characterized at molecular level. Interestingly, when microbial isolates were cultivated only in filtered water, the precipitation of hazenite was observed (up to 85%), opening new prospective in P (phosphate) recovery from P depleted environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Mazzoni
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnese Piacentini
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
| | - Letizia Di Bella
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Aldega
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Aida Maria Conte
- Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council (IGAG-CNR), Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Ingrassia
- Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council (IGAG-CNR), Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Ruspandini
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Bonfanti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Caraba
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Giuseppe Falese
- Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, National Research Council (IGAG-CNR), Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Fazi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Water Research Institute, National Research Council (IRSA-CNR), Montelibretti, Rome, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
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2
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Medina-Ruiz A, Jiménez-Millán J, Abad I, Gálvez A, Grande MJ, Jiménez-Espinosa R. Aragonite crystallization in a sulfate-rich hypersaline wetland under dry Mediterranean climate (Laguna Honda, eastern Guadalquivir basin, S Spain). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171362. [PMID: 38428615 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
This research investigates the influence of water composition, the presence of seasonal algal mats, detrital inputs and the activity of microorganisms on the crystallization of aragonite in the sediments deposited in the hypersaline Laguna Honda wetland (S of Spain). The high alkaline and hypersaline waters (pH > 9.2 and C.E. > 70 mS/cm) of the wetland lake are rich in SO42- (>24,000 mg/l), Cl- (>21,000 mg/l), Na+ (>11,000 mg/l) Mg2+ (>8400 mg/l) and Ca2+ (>1000 mg/l), and are supersaturated for dolomite, calcite and aragonite. Sediments have lower pH values than column waters, oscillating from 8.54 in the low Eh (up to -80.9 mV) central deep sediments and 6.33 in the shallower higher Eh (around -13.6 mV) shore sediments. Erosion of the surrounding olive groves soils produced detrital silicates rich sediments with concretions of carbonate or sulfate. Aragonite (up to 19 %) and pyrite (up to 13 %) are mainly concentrated in the organic matter rich samples from the upper part of the sediment cores, whereas gypsum is preferably concentrated in low organic matter content samples. Mineral crusts containing a MgAl silicate phase, epsomite, halite and gypsum are precipitated on the floating algal mats covering the wetland waters. Floating algal mats deposit increased the organic matter content of the upper sediments which promoted the presence of fermentative microorganisms, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) communities and variations of Eh that influence the authigenesis of carbonate and S-bearing minerals. Replacement of poorly crystalline MgSi phases infilling algal cells by aragonite was favored in the organic matter rich sediments with low Eh values and important SRB communities that promoted sulfate bioreduction processes to form pyrite. Aragonite precipitation was favored by the increase of carbonate and bicarbonate concentration produced by the SRB oxidation of organic matter, the CO2 degassing by high summer temperatures and the CO2 uptake by photosynthesis of the algal mats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Medina-Ruiz
- Department of Geology and CEACTEMA, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Juan Jiménez-Millán
- Department of Geology and CEACTEMA, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
| | - Isabel Abad
- Department of Geology and CEACTEMA, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Antonio Gálvez
- Microbiology Division, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - María José Grande
- Microbiology Division, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Rosario Jiménez-Espinosa
- Department of Geology and CEACTEMA, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas, 23071 Jaén, Spain
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3
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Mather CC, Lampinen HM, Tucker M, Leopold M, Dogramaci S, Raven M, Gilkes RJ. Microbial influence on dolomite and authigenic clay mineralisation in dolocrete profiles of NW Australia. GEOBIOLOGY 2023; 21:644-670. [PMID: 36973880 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Dolomite (CaMg(CO3 )2 ) precipitation is kinetically inhibited at surface temperatures and pressures. Experimental studies have demonstrated that microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) as well as certain clay minerals may catalyse dolomite precipitation. However, the combined association of EPS with clay minerals and dolomite and their occurrence in the natural environment are not well documented. We investigated the mineral and textural associations within groundwater dolocrete profiles from arid northwest Australia. Microbial EPS is a site of nucleation for both dolomite and authigenic clay minerals in this Late Miocene to Pliocene dolocrete. Dolomite crystals are commonly encased in EPS alveolar structures, which have been mineralised by various clay minerals, including montmorillonite, trioctahedral smectite and palygorskite-sepiolite. Observations of microbial microstructures and their association with minerals resemble textures documented in various lacustrine and marine microbialites, indicating that similar mineralisation processes may have occurred to form these dolocretes. EPS may attract and bind cations that concentrate to form the initial particles for mineral nucleation. The dolomite developed as nanocrystals, likely via a disordered precursor, which coalesced to form larger micritic crystal aggregates and rhombic crystals. Spheroidal dolomite textures, commonly with hollow cores, are also present and may reflect the mineralisation of a biofilm surrounding coccoid bacterial cells. Dolomite formation within an Mg-clay matrix is also observed, more commonly within a shallow pedogenic horizon. The ability of the negatively charged surfaces of clay and EPS to bind and dewater Mg2+ , as well as the slow diffusion of ions through a viscous clay or EPS matrix, may promote the incorporation of Mg2+ into the mineral and overcome the kinetic effects to allow disordered dolomite nucleation and its later growth. The results of this study show that the precipitation of clay and carbonate minerals in alkaline environments may be closely associated and can develop from the same initial amorphous Ca-Mg-Si-rich matrix within EPS. The abundance of EPS preserved within the profiles is evidence of past microbial activity. Local fluctuations in chemistry, such as small increases in alkalinity, associated with the degradation of EPS or microbial activity, were likely important for both clay and dolomite formation. Groundwater environments may be important and hitherto understudied settings for microbially influenced mineralisation and for low-temperature dolomite precipitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C Mather
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Heta M Lampinen
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Mineral Resources, 26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, Western Australia, 6151, Australia
| | - Maurice Tucker
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1RJ, UK
| | - Matthias Leopold
- UWA-School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
| | - Shawan Dogramaci
- School of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
- National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training & College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Mark Raven
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Mineralogical Services, Waite Campus, Urrbrae, South Australia, 5064, Australia
| | - Robert J Gilkes
- UWA-School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia, 6009, Australia
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Moore KR, Daye M, Gong J, Williford K, Konhauser K, Bosak T. A review of microbial-environmental interactions recorded in Proterozoic carbonate-hosted chert. GEOBIOLOGY 2023; 21:3-27. [PMID: 36268586 PMCID: PMC10092529 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The record of life during the Proterozoic is preserved by several different lithologies, but two in particular are linked both spatially and temporally: chert and carbonate. These lithologies capture a snapshot of dominantly peritidal environments during the Proterozoic. Early diagenetic chert preserves some of the most exceptional Proterozoic biosignatures in the form of microbial body fossils and mat textures. This fossiliferous and kerogenous chert formed in shallow marine environments, where chert nodules, layers, and lenses are often surrounded by and encased within carbonate deposits that themselves often contain kerogen and evidence of former microbial mats. Here, we review the record of biosignatures preserved in peritidal Proterozoic chert and chert-hosting carbonate and discuss this record in the context of experimental and environmental studies that have begun to shed light on the roles that microbes and organic compounds may have played in the formation of these deposits. Insights gained from these studies suggest temporal trends in microbial-environmental interactions and place new constraints on past environmental conditions, such as the concentration of silica in Proterozoic seawater, interactions among organic compounds and cations in seawater, and the influence of microbial physiology and biochemistry on selective preservation by silicification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R. Moore
- Division of Geological and Planetary SciencesCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Mirna Daye
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jian Gong
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Kurt Konhauser
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric SciencesUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Tanja Bosak
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary SciencesMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
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5
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Getenet M, García-Ruiz JM, Otálora F, Emmerling F, Al-Sabbagh D, Verdugo-Escamilla C. A Comprehensive Methodology for Monitoring Evaporitic Mineral Precipitation and Hydrochemical Evolution of Saline Lakes: The Case of Lake Magadi Soda Brine (East African Rift Valley, Kenya). CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN 2022; 22:2307-2317. [PMID: 35401055 PMCID: PMC8991015 DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.1c01391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Lake Magadi, East African Rift Valley, is a hyperalkaline and saline soda lake highly enriched in Na+, K+, CO3 2-, Cl-, HCO3 -, and SiO2 and depleted in Ca2+ and Mg2+, where thick evaporite deposits and siliceous sediments have been forming for 100 000 years. The hydrogeochemistry and the evaporite deposits of soda lakes are subjects of growing interest in paleoclimatology, astrobiology, and planetary sciences. In Lake Magadi, different hydrates of sodium carbonate/bicarbonate and other saline minerals precipitate. The precipitation sequence of these minerals is a key for understanding the hydrochemical evolution, the paleoenvironmental conditions of ancient evaporite deposits, and industrial crystallization. However, accurate determination of the precipitation sequence of these minerals was challenging due to the dependency of the different hydrates on temperature, water activity, pH and pCO2, which could induce phase transformation and secondary mineral precipitation during sample handling. Here, we report a comprehensive methodology applied for monitoring the evaporitic mineral precipitation and hydrochemical evolution of Lake Magadi. Evaporation and mineral precipitations were monitored by using in situ video microscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction of acoustically levitated droplets. The mineral patterns were characterized by ex situ Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Experiments were coupled with thermodynamic models to understand the evaporation and precipitation-driven hydrochemical evolution of brines. Our results closely reproduced the mineral assemblages, patterns, and textural relations observed in the natural setting. Alkaline earth carbonates and fluorite were predicted to precipitate first followed by siliceous sediments. Among the salts, dendritic and acicular trona precipitate first via fractional crystallization-reminiscent of grasslike trona layers of Lake Magadi. Halite/villiaumite, thermonatrite, and sylvite precipitate sequentially after trona from residual brines depleted in HCO3 -. The precipitation of these minerals between trona crystals resembles the precipitation process observed in the interstitial brines of the trona layers. Thermonatrite precipitation began after trona equilibrated with the residual brines due to the absence of excess CO2 input. We have shown that evaporation and mineral precipitation are the major drivers for the formation of hyperalkaline, saline, and SiO2-rich brines. The discrepancy between predicted and actual sulfate and phosphate ion concentrations implies the biological cycling of these ions. The combination of different in situ and ex situ methods and modeling is key to understanding the mineral phases, precipitation sequences, and textural relations of modern and ancient evaporite deposits. The synergy of these methods could be applicable in industrial crystallization and natural brines to reconstruct the hydrogeochemical and hydroclimatic conditions of soda lakes, evaporite settings, and potentially soda oceans of early Earth and extraterrestrial planets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melese Getenet
- Laboratorio
de Estudios Cristalográficos, Instituto
Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avenida de las Palmeras 4, Armilla, E-18100 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel García-Ruiz
- Laboratorio
de Estudios Cristalográficos, Instituto
Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avenida de las Palmeras 4, Armilla, E-18100 Granada, Spain
| | - Fermín Otálora
- Laboratorio
de Estudios Cristalográficos, Instituto
Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avenida de las Palmeras 4, Armilla, E-18100 Granada, Spain
| | - Franziska Emmerling
- Federal
Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik Al-Sabbagh
- Federal
Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Richard-Willstätter-Straße 11, 12489 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cristóbal Verdugo-Escamilla
- Laboratorio
de Estudios Cristalográficos, Instituto
Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avenida de las Palmeras 4, Armilla, E-18100 Granada, Spain
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6
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Saccò M, White NE, Harrod C, Salazar G, Aguilar P, Cubillos CF, Meredith K, Baxter BK, Oren A, Anufriieva E, Shadrin N, Marambio-Alfaro Y, Bravo-Naranjo V, Allentoft ME. Salt to conserve: a review on the ecology and preservation of hypersaline ecosystems. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:2828-2850. [PMID: 34747117 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
When it comes to the investigation of key ecosystems in the world, we often omit salt from the ecological recipe. In fact, despite occupying almost half of the volume of inland waters and providing crucial services to humanity and nature, inland saline ecosystems are often overlooked in discussions regarding the preservation of global aquatic resources of our planet. As a result, our knowledge of the biological and geochemical dynamics shaping these environments remains incomplete and we are hesitant in framing effective protective strategies against the increasing natural and anthropogenic threats faced by such habitats. Hypersaline lakes, water bodies where the concentration of salt exceeds 35 g/l, occur mainly in arid and semiarid areas resulting from hydrological imbalances triggering the accumulation of salts over time. Often considered the 'exotic siblings' within the family of inland waters, these ecosystems host some of the most extremophile communities worldwide and provide essential habitats for waterbirds and many other organisms in already water-stressed regions. These systems are often highlighted as natural laboratories, ideal for addressing central ecological questions due to their relatively low complexity and simple food web structures. However, recent studies on the biogeochemical mechanisms framing hypersaline communities have challenged this archetype, arguing that newly discovered highly diverse communities are characterised by specific trophic interactions shaped by high levels of specialisation. The main goal of this review is to explore our current understanding of the ecological dynamics of hypersaline ecosystems by addressing four main research questions: (i) why are hypersaline lakes unique from a biological and geochemical perspective; (ii) which biota inhabit these ecosystems and how have they adapted to the high salt conditions; (iii) how do we protect biodiversity from increasing natural and anthropogenic threats; and (iv) which scientific tools will help us preserve hypersaline ecosystems in the future? First, we focus on the ecological characterisation of hypersaline ecosystems, illustrate hydrogeochemical dynamics regulating such environments, and outline key ecoregions supporting hypersaline systems across the globe. Second, we depict the diversity and functional aspects of key taxa found in hypersaline lakes, from microorganisms to plants, invertebrates, waterbirds and upper trophic levels. Next, we describe ecosystem services and discuss possible conservation guidelines. Finally, we outline how cutting-edge technologies can provide new insights into the study of hypersaline ecology. Overall, this review sheds further light onto these understudied ecosystems, largely unrecognised as important sources of unique biological and functional diversity. We provide perspectives for key future research avenues, and advocate that the conservation of hypersaline lakes should not be taken with 'a grain of salt'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Saccò
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Nicole E White
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Chris Harrod
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile.,Núcleo Milenio INVASAL, Concepción, 3349001, Chile
| | - Gonzalo Salazar
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile.,Núcleo Milenio INVASAL, Concepción, 3349001, Chile
| | - Pablo Aguilar
- Núcleo Milenio INVASAL, Concepción, 3349001, Chile.,Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Carolina F Cubillos
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Karina Meredith
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Locked Bag 2001, Kirrawee DC, NSW, 2232, Australia
| | - Bonnie K Baxter
- Great Salt Lake Institute, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, 84105, U.S.A
| | - Aharon Oren
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, The Institute of Life Sciences, the Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190401, Israel
| | - Elena Anufriieva
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Nakhimov Avenue 2, Sevastopol, 299011, Russia
| | - Nickolai Shadrin
- A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Nakhimov Avenue 2, Sevastopol, 299011, Russia
| | - Yeri Marambio-Alfaro
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad de Antofagasta, Avenida Angamos 601, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Víctor Bravo-Naranjo
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Serena, Benavente 980, La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Morten E Allentoft
- Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Lab, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Centre, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen, Denmark
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7
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Metabarcoding under Brine: Microbial Ecology of Five Hypersaline Lakes at Rottnest Island (WA, Australia). WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13141899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hypersaline ecosystems—aquatic environments where concentration of salt exceeds 35 g L−1—host microbial communities that are highly specialised to cope with these extreme conditions. However, our knowledge on the taxonomic diversity and functional metabolisms characterising microbial communities in the water columns of hypersaline ecosystems is still limited, and this may compromise the future preservation of these unique environments. DNA metabarcoding provides a reliable and affordable tool to investigate environmental dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, and its use in brine can be highly informative. Here, we make use of bacterial 16S metabarcoding techniques combined with hydrochemical analyses to investigate the microbial patterns (diversity and functions) from five hypersaline lakes located at Rottnest Island (WA). Our results indicate lake-driven microbial aquatic assemblages that are characterised by taxonomically and functionally moderately to extremely halophilic groups, with TDS (total dissolved solids) and alkalinity amongst the most influential parameters driving the community patterns. Overall, our findings suggest that DNA metabarcoding allows rapid but reliable ecological assessment of the hypersaline aquatic microbial communities at Rottnest Island. Further studies involving different hypersaline lakes across multiple seasons will help elucidate the full extent of the potential of this tool in brine.
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