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Sharma A, Taubert M, Pérez-Carrascal OM, Lehmann R, Ritschel T, Totsche KU, Lazar CS, Küsel K. Iron coatings on carbonate rocks shape the attached bacterial aquifer community. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170384. [PMID: 38281639 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170384] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Most studies of groundwater ecosystems target planktonic microbes, which are easily obtained via water samples. In contrast, little is known about the diversity and function of microbes adhering to rock surfaces, particularly to consolidated rocks. To investigate microbial attachment to rock surfaces, we incubated rock chips from fractured aquifers in limestone-mudstone alternations in bioreactors fed with groundwater from two wells representing oxic and anoxic conditions. Half of the chips were coated with iron oxides, representing common secondary mineralization in fractured rock. Our time-series analysis showed bacteria colonizing the chips within two days, reaching cell numbers up to 4.16 × 105 cells/mm2 after 44 days. Scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed extensive colonization but no multi-layered biofilms, with chips from oxic bioreactors more densely colonized than from anoxic ones. Estimated attached-to-planktonic cell ratios yielded values of up to 106: 1 and 103: 1, for oxic and anoxic aquifers, respectively. We identified distinct attached and planktonic communities with an overlap between 17 % and 42 %. Oxic bioreactors were dominated by proteobacterial genera Aquabacterium and Rhodoferax, while Rheinheimera and Simplicispira were the key players of anoxic bioreactors. Motility, attachment, and biofilm formation traits were predicted in major genera based on groundwater metagenome-assembled genomes and reference genomes. Early rock colonizers appeared to be facultative autotrophs, capable of fixing CO2 to synthesize biomass and a biofilm matrix. Late colonizers were predicted to possess biofilm degrading enzymes such as beta-glucosidase, beta-galactosidase, amylases. Fe-coated chips of both bioreactors featured more potential iron reducers and oxidizers than bare rock chips. As secondary minerals can also serve as energy source, they might favor primary production and thus contribute to subsurface ecosystem services like carbon fixation. Since most subsurface microbes seem to be attached, their contribution to ecosystem services should be considered in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alisha Sharma
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Strasse 159, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Taubert
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Strasse 159, 07743 Jena, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Grüne Aue, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Olga M Pérez-Carrascal
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Strasse 159, 07743 Jena, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Grüne Aue, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Robert Lehmann
- Hydrogeology, Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Burgweg 11, 07749 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Ritschel
- Hydrogeology, Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Burgweg 11, 07749 Jena, Germany
| | - Kai U Totsche
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Grüne Aue, 07745 Jena, Germany; Hydrogeology, Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Burgweg 11, 07749 Jena, Germany
| | - Cassandre S Lazar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec at Montreal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Kirsten Küsel
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Strasse 159, 07743 Jena, Germany; Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Grüne Aue, 07745 Jena, Germany; German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstrasse 4, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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2
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Campostrini L, Proksch P, Jakwerth S, Farnleitner AH, Kirschner AKT. Introducing bacterial community turnover times to elucidate temporal and spatial hotspots of biological instability in a large Austrian drinking water distribution network. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 252:121188. [PMID: 38324987 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121188] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Ensuring biological stability in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) is important to reduce the risk of aesthetic, operational and hygienic impairments of the distributed water. Drinking water after treatment often changes in quality during transport due to interactions with pipe-associated biofilms, temperature increases and disinfectant residual decay leading to potential biological instability. To comprehensively assess the potential for biological instability in a large chlorinated DWDS, a tool-box of bacterial biomass and activity parameters was applied, introducing bacterial community turnover times (BaCTT) as a direct, sensitive and easy-to-interpret quantitative parameter based on the combination of 3H-leucine incorporation with bacterial biomass. Using BaCTT, hotspots and periods of bacterial growth and potential biological instability could be identified in the DWDS that is fed by water with high bacterial growth potential. A de-coupling of biomass from activity parameters was observed, suggesting that bacterial biomass parameters depict seasonally fluctuating raw water quality rather than processes related to biological stability of the finished water in the DWDS. BaCTT, on the other hand, were significantly correlated to water age, disinfectant residual, temperature and a seasonal factor, indicating a higher potential of biological instability at more distant sampling sites and later in the year. As demonstrated, BaCTT is suggested as a novel, sensitive and very useful parameter for assessing the biological instability potential. However, additional studies in other DWDSs are needed to investigate the general applicability of BaCTT depending on water source, applied treatment processes, biofilm growth potential on different pipe materials, or size, age and complexity of the DWDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Campostrini
- Medical University of Vienna, Centre for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology - Water Microbiology, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna A-1090, Austria; Interuniversity Cooperation Centre Water & Health, Austria
| | - Philipp Proksch
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Water Pollution Control, Muthgasse 18, Vienna A-1190, Austria
| | - Stefan Jakwerth
- Medical University of Vienna, Centre for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology - Water Microbiology, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna A-1090, Austria; Interuniversity Cooperation Centre Water & Health, Austria
| | - Andreas H Farnleitner
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre Water & Health, Austria; Division Water Quality and Health, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, Krems A-3500, Austria; Technische Universität Wien, Institute for Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Gumpendorferstraße 1, Vienna A-1060, Austria
| | - Alexander K T Kirschner
- Medical University of Vienna, Centre for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology - Water Microbiology, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna A-1090, Austria; Interuniversity Cooperation Centre Water & Health, Austria; Division Water Quality and Health, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr. Karl Dorrek-Straße 30, Krems A-3500, Austria.
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3
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Calvo-Martin E, Teira E, Álvarez-Salgado XA, Rocha C, Jiang S, Justel-Díez M, Ibánhez JSP. On the hidden diversity and niche specialization of the microbial realm of subterranean estuaries. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:5859-5881. [PMID: 36054689 PMCID: PMC10087554 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Subterranean estuaries (STEs) modulate the chemical composition of continental groundwater before it reaches the coast, but their microbial community is poorly known. Here, we explored the microbial ecology of two neighbouring, yet contrasting STEs (Panxón and Ladeira STEs; Ría de Vigo, NW Iberian Peninsula). We investigated microbial composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing), abundance, heterotrophic production and their geochemical drivers. A total of 10,150 OTUs and 59 phyla were retrieved from porewater sampled during four surveys covering each STE seepage face. In both STEs, we find a very diverse microbial community composed by abundant cosmopolitans and locally restricted rare taxa. Porewater oxygen and dissolved organic matter are the main environmental predictors of microbial community composition. More importantly, the high variety of benthic microbiota links to biogeochemical processes of different elements in STEs. The oxygen-rich Panxón beach showed strong associations of the ammonium oxidizing archaea Nitrosopumilales with the heterotrophic community, thus acting as a net source of nitrogen to the coast. On the other hand, the prevailing anoxic conditions of Ladeira beach promoted the dominance of anaerobic heterotrophs related to the degradation of complex and aromatic compounds, such as Dehalococcoidia and Desulfatiglans, and the co-occurrence of methane oxidizers and methanogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Calvo-Martin
- Organic Geochemistry Lab, Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain.,PhD Program in Marine Science, Technology and Management, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Eva Teira
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidade de Vigo, Centro de Investigación Mariña da Universidade de Vigo (CIM-UVigo), Vigo, Spain
| | - Xosé Antón Álvarez-Salgado
- Organic Geochemistry Lab, Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain
| | - Carlos Rocha
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Shan Jiang
- School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.,State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Maider Justel-Díez
- Departamento de Ecología y Biología Animal, Universidade de Vigo, Centro de Investigación Mariña da Universidade de Vigo (CIM-UVigo), Vigo, Spain
| | - Juan Severino Pino Ibánhez
- Organic Geochemistry Lab, Department of Oceanography, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Vigo, Spain.,School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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4
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Keller NS, Hornbruch G, Lüders K, Werban U, Vogt C, Kallies R, Dahmke A, Richnow HH. Monitoring of the effects of a temporally limited heat stress on microbial communities in a shallow aquifer. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 781:146377. [PMID: 33794453 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) is a key concept for the use of renewable energy resources. Interest in ATES performed at high temperature (HT-ATES; > 60 °C) is increasing due to higher energetic efficiencies. HT-ATES induces temperature fluctuations that exceed the natural variability in shallow aquifers, which could lead to adverse effects in subsurface ecosystems by altering the groundwater chemistry, biodiversity, and microbial metabolic activity, resulting in changes of the groundwater quality, biogeochemical processes, and ecosystem functions. The aim of this study was to emulate the initial operating phase of a HT-ATES system with a short-term infiltration of warm water into Pleistocene sandur sediment and, consequently, to monitor the thermal effects on the groundwater microbiome inhabiting an imitated affected space of an HT-ATES system. Therefore, local groundwater was withdrawn, heated up to 75 °C, and re-infiltrated into a shallow aquifer located near Wittstock/Dosse (Brandenburg, Germany) for around five days. Groundwater samples taken regularly before and after the infiltration were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for microbial diversity analyses as well as total cell counting. During the infiltration, a thermal plume with groundwater temperatures increasing from 9 ± 2 to up to ~65 °C was recorded. The highest temperature at which groundwater samples were taken was 34.9 °C, a temperature typically arising in the affected space of an HT-ATES system. The microbial communities in the groundwater were mainly composed of Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidia, and Actinobacteria, and the total cell numbers ranged from 3.2 * 104 to 3.1 * 106 cells ml-1. Neither the compositions of the microbial communities nor the total number of cells in groundwater were significantly changed upon moderate temperature increase, indicating that the diverse groundwater microbiome was resilient to the temporally limited heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina-Sophie Keller
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Götz Hornbruch
- University of Kiel, Institute for Geosciences, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Klas Lüders
- University of Kiel, Institute for Geosciences, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Ulrike Werban
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Monitoring & Exploration Technologies, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Carsten Vogt
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - René Kallies
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Environmental Microbiology, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Andreas Dahmke
- University of Kiel, Institute for Geosciences, 24118 Kiel, Germany.
| | - Hans Hermann Richnow
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department of Isotope Biogeochemistry, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
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5
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Bourrain M, Suzuki MT, Calvez A, West NJ, Lions J, Lebaron P. In-depth prospection of Avène Thermal Spring Water reveals an uncommon and stable microbial community. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 34 Suppl 5:8-14. [PMID: 32870559 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Avène Thermal Spring Water (TSW) exhibits therapeutic properties in the treatment of skin pathologies. Arising from a dolomitic aquifer system, its physico-chemical properties are well-established and its bacteriological quality regularly monitored. The microbiota of this aquifer have been characterized. OBJECTIVES We aimed to describe the structure of the bacterial community inhabiting the deep aquifer and to examine its dynamics over time. METHODS The Avène TSW was collected at the catchment point and filtered through 0.1 µm pore size filters. The sampling was carried out every 3 months to generate a 4-year time series. The DNA extracted from filters was analysed using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and the microorganisms and their contribution were characterized by the taxonomic assignment of sequence variants generated from each sample. RESULTS Bacteria were distributed into 39 phyla. Nitrospirae and Proteobacteria were the most prevalent, accounting for 38% and 23% of the total community on average, respectively. A stable pattern was observed throughout the study. A few bacterial species were always detected, forming a core community of likely chemolithoautotrophic organisms which might use energy sources and nutrients produced from water-bedrock interactions. Most of the species were distantly related to organisms described to date. CONCLUSIONS Avène TSW provided by the deep aquifer system harbours a unique microbial community, shaped by the physico-chemical characteristics of the deep environment. Its remarkable stability over time has revealed a high level of confinement of the water resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bourrain
- Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique R&D Center, Toulouse, France
| | - M T Suzuki
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, LBBM, Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - A Calvez
- Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique R&D Center, Toulouse, France
| | - N J West
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - J Lions
- Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique R&D Center, Toulouse, France
| | - P Lebaron
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes, LBBM, Observatoire Océanologique, Banyuls-sur-mer, France
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6
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Ruiz-González C, Rodellas V, Garcia-Orellana J. The microbial dimension of submarine groundwater discharge: current challenges and future directions. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2021; 45:6128669. [PMID: 33538813 PMCID: PMC8498565 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuab010] [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] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the relevance of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) for ocean biogeochemistry, the microbial dimension of SGD remains poorly understood. SGD can influence marine microbial communities through supplying chemical compounds and microorganisms, and in turn, microbes at the land–ocean transition zone determine the chemistry of the groundwater reaching the ocean. However, compared with inland groundwater, little is known about microbial communities in coastal aquifers. Here, we review the state of the art of the microbial dimension of SGD, with emphasis on prokaryotes, and identify current challenges and future directions. Main challenges include improving the diversity description of groundwater microbiota, characterized by ultrasmall, inactive and novel taxa, and by high ratios of sediment-attached versus free-living cells. Studies should explore microbial dynamics and their role in chemical cycles in coastal aquifers, the bidirectional dispersal of groundwater and seawater microorganisms, and marine bacterioplankton responses to SGD. This will require not only combining sequencing methods, visualization and linking taxonomy to activity but also considering the entire groundwater–marine continuum. Interactions between traditionally independent disciplines (e.g. hydrogeology, microbial ecology) are needed to frame the study of terrestrial and aquatic microorganisms beyond the limits of their presumed habitats, and to foster our understanding of SGD processes and their influence in coastal biogeochemical cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Ruiz-González
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC). Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, E08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valentí Rodellas
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Jordi Garcia-Orellana
- Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E08193 Bellaterra, Spain.,Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E08193 Bellaterra, Spain
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7
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Investigating the Structure of a Coastal Karstic Aquifer through the Hydrogeological Characterization of Springs Using Geophysical Methods and Field Investigation, Gökova Bay, SW Turkey. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12123343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The electrical resistivity tomography method has been widely used in geophysics for many purposes such as determining geological structures, water movement, saltwater intrusion, and tectonic regime modeling. Karstic springs are important for water basin management since the karst systems are highly complex and vulnerable to exploitation and contamination. An accurate geophysical model of the subsurface is needed to reveal the spring structure. In this study, several karst springs in the Gökova Bay (SW, Turkey) were investigated to create a 3D subsurface model of the nearby karstic cavities utilizing electrical resistivity measurements. For this approach, 2D resistivity profiles were acquired and interpreted. Stratigraphically, colluvium, conglomerate, and dolomitic-limestone units were located in the field. The resistivity values of these formations were determined considering both the literature and field survey. Then, 2D profiles were interpolated to create a 3D resistivity model of the study area. Medium-large sized cavities were identified as well as their locations relative to the springs. The measured resistivities were also correlated with the corresponding geological units. The results were then used to construct a 3D model that aids to reveal the cavity geometry in the subsurface. Additionally, several faults are detected and their effect on the cavities is interpreted.
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8
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Hofmann R, Uhl J, Hertkorn N, Griebler C. Linkage Between Dissolved Organic Matter Transformation, Bacterial Carbon Production, and Diversity in a Shallow Oligotrophic Aquifer: Results From Flow-Through Sediment Microcosm Experiments. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:543567. [PMID: 33250862 PMCID: PMC7674671 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.543567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aquifers are important reservoirs for organic carbon. A fundamental understanding of the role of groundwater ecosystems in carbon cycling, however, is still missing. Using sediment flow-through microcosms, long-term (171d) experiments were conducted to test two scenarios. First, aquifer sediment microbial communities received dissolved organic matter (DOM) at low concentration and typical to groundwater in terms of composition (DOM-1x). Second, sediments received an elevated concentration of DOM originating from soil (DOM-5x). Changes in DOM composition were analyzed via NMR and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS). Carbon production, physiological adaptations and biodiversity of groundwater, and sediment prokaryotic communities were monitored by total cell counts, substrate use arrays, and deep amplicon sequencing. The experiments showed that groundwater microbial communities do not react very fast to the sudden availability of labile organic carbon from soil in terms of carbon degradation and biomass production. It took days to weeks for incoming DOM being efficiently degraded and pronounced cell production occurred. Once conditioned, the DOM-1x supplied sediments mineralized 294(±230) μgC L−1sed d−1, 10-times less than the DOM-5x fed sediment communities [2.9(±1.1) mgC L−1sed d−1]. However, the overall biomass carbon production was hardly different in the two treatments with 13.7(±4.8) μgC L−1sed d−1 and 14.3(±3.5) μgC L−1sed d−1, respectively, hinting at a significantly lower carbon use efficiency with higher DOM availability. However, the molecularly more diverse DOM from soil fostered a higher bacterial diversity. Taking the irregular inputs of labile DOM into account, shallow aquifers are assumed to have a low resilience. Lacking a highly active and responsive microbial community, oligotrophic aquifers are at high risk of contamination with organic chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Hofmann
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jenny Uhl
- Research Unit Analytical Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Norbert Hertkorn
- Research Unit Analytical Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Griebler
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany.,Division of Limnology, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Long- and Short-Term Inorganic Nitrogen Runoff from a Karst Catchment in Austria. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11101112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Excess nitrogen (N) deposition and gaseous N emissions from industrial, domestic, and agricultural sources have led to increased nitrate leaching, the loss of biological diversity, and has affected carbon (C) sequestration in forest ecosystems. Nitrate leaching affects the purity of karst water resources, which contribute around 50% to Austria’s drinking water supply. Here we present an evaluation of the drivers of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) concentrations and fluxes from a karst catchment in the Austrian Alps (LTER Zöbelboden) from 27 years of records. In addition, a hydrological model was used together with climatic scenario data to predict expected future runoff dynamics. The study area was exposed to increasing N deposition during the 20th century (up to 30 to 35 kg N ha−1 y−1), which are still at levels of 25.5 ± 3.6 and 19.9 ± 4.2 kg N ha−1 y−1 in the spruce and the mixed deciduous forests, respectively. Albeit N deposition was close to or exceeded critical loads for several decades, 70–83% of the inorganic N retained in the catchment from 2000 to 2018, and NO3- concentrations in the runoff stayed <10 mg L−1 unless high-flow events occurred or forest stand-replacing disturbances. We identified tree growth as the main sink for inorganic N, which might together with lower runoff, increase retention of only weakly decreasing N deposition in the future. However, since recurring forest stand-replacement is predicted in the future as a result of a combination of climatically driven disturbance agents, pulses of elevated nitrate concentrations in the catchment runoff will likely add to groundwater pollution.
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10
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Savio D, Stadler P, Reischer GH, Demeter K, Linke RB, Blaschke AP, Mach RL, Kirschner AKT, Stadler H, Farnleitner AH. Spring Water of an Alpine Karst Aquifer Is Dominated by a Taxonomically Stable but Discharge-Responsive Bacterial Community. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:28. [PMID: 30828319 PMCID: PMC6385617 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpine karst aquifers are important groundwater resources for the provision of drinking water all around the world. Yet, due to difficult accessibility and long-standing methodological limitations, the microbiology of these systems has long been understudied. The aim of the present study was to investigate the structure and dynamics of bacterial communities in spring water of an alpine limestone karst aquifer (LKAS2) under different hydrological conditions (base vs. event flow). The study was based on high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, study design and sample selection were guided by hydrology and pollution microbiology data. Spanning more than 27 months, our analyses revealed a taxonomically highly stable bacterial community, comprising high proportions of yet uncultivated bacteria in the suspended bacterial community fraction. Only the three candidate phyla Parcubacteria (OD1), Gracilibacteria (GN02), Doudnabacteria (SM2F11) together with Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes contributed between 70.0 and 88.4% of total reads throughout the investigation period. A core-community of 300 OTUs consistently contributed between 37.6 and 56.3% of total reads, further supporting the hypothesis of a high temporal stability in the bacterial community in the spring water. Nonetheless, a detectable response in the bacterial community structure of the spring water was discernible during a high-discharge event. Sequence reads affiliated to the class Flavobacteriia clearly increased from a mean proportion of 2.3% during baseflow to a maximum of 12.7% during the early phase of the studied high-discharge event, suggesting direct impacts from changing hydrological conditions on the bacterial community structure in the spring water. This was further supported by an increase in species richness (Chao1) at higher discharge. The combination of these observations allowed the identification and characterization of three different discharge classes (Q1-Q3). In conclusion, we found a taxonomically stable bacterial community prevailing in spring waters from an alpine karst aquifer over the entire study period of more than 2 years. Clear response to changing discharge conditions could be detected for particular bacterial groups, whereas the most responsive group - bacteria affiliated to the class of Flavobacteriia - might harbor potential as a valuable natural indicator of "system disturbances" in karst aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Savio
- Division Water Quality and Health, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Stadler
- Centre for Water Resource Systems, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Research Unit for Water Quality Management, Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg H. Reischer
- Molecular Diagnostics Group, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, TU Wien, Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- Research Group for Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katalin Demeter
- Centre for Water Resource Systems, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Research Group for Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rita B. Linke
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
- Research Group for Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alfred P. Blaschke
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert L. Mach
- Research Division of Biochemical Technology, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander K. T. Kirschner
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
- Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hermann Stadler
- Department for Water Resources Management and Environmental Analytics, Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainability, Joanneum Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas H. Farnleitner
- Division Water Quality and Health, Department Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, Vienna, Austria
- Research Group for Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics 166/5/3, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Hershey OS, Kallmeyer J, Wallace A, Barton MD, Barton HA. High Microbial Diversity Despite Extremely Low Biomass in a Deep Karst Aquifer. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2823. [PMID: 30534116 PMCID: PMC6275181 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the importance of karst aquifers as a source of drinking water, little is known about the role of microorganisms in maintaining the quality of this water. One of the limitations in exploring the microbiology of these environments is access, which is usually limited to wells and surface springs. In this study, we compared the microbiology of the Madison karst aquifer sampled via the potentiometric lakes of Wind Cave with surface sampling wells and a spring. Our data indicated that only the Streeter Well (STR), which is drilled into the same hydrogeologic domain as the Wind Cave Lakes (WCL), allowed access to water with the same low biomass (1.56-9.25 × 103 cells mL-1). Filtration of ∼300 L of water from both of these sites through a 0.2 μm filter allowed the collection of sufficient cells for DNA extraction, PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene sequences, and identification through pyrosequencing. The results indicated that bacteria (with limited archaea and no detectable eukaryotic organisms) dominated both water samples; however, there were significant taxonomic differences in the bacterial populations of the samples. The STR sample was dominated by a single phylotype within the Gammaproteobacteria (Order Acidithiobacillales), which dramatically reduced the overall diversity and species richness of the population. In WCL, despite less organic carbon, the bacterial population was significantly more diverse, including significant contributions from the Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Fusobacter, and Omnitrophica phyla. Comparisons with similar oligotrophic environments suggest that karst aquifers have a greater species richness than comparable surface environs. These data also demonstrate that Wind Cave provides a unique opportunity to sample a deep, subterranean aquifer directly, and that the microbiology of such aquifers may be more complex than previously anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia S Hershey
- Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, OH, United States
| | - Jens Kallmeyer
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Andrew Wallace
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, United States
| | | | - Hazel A Barton
- Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, OH, United States.,Department of Geosciences, University of Akron, Akron, OH, United States
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12
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Bacterial Productivity in a Ferrocyanide-Contaminated Aquifer at a Nuclear Waste Site. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10081072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study examined potential microbial impacts of cyanide contamination in an aquifer affected by ferrocyanide disposal from nuclear waste processing at the US Department of Energy’s Hanford Site in south-eastern Washington State (USA). We examined bacterial productivity and microbial cell density in groundwater (GW) from wells with varying levels of recent and historical total cyanide concentrations. We used tritiated leucine (3H-Leu) uptake as a proxy for heterotrophic, aerobic bacterial productivity in the GW, and we measured cell density via nucleic acid staining followed by epifluorescence microscopy. Bacterial productivity varied widely, both among wells that had high historical and recent total cyanide (CN−) concentrations and among wells that had low total CN− values. Standing microbial biomass varied less, and was generally greater than that observed in a similar study of uranium-contaminated hyporheic-zone groundwater at the Hanford Site. Our results showed no correlation between 3H-Leu uptake and recent or historical cyanide concentrations in the wells, consistent with what is known about cyanide toxicity with respect to iron speciation. However, additional sampling of the CN− affected groundwater, both in space and time, would be needed to confirm that the CN− contamination is not affecting the GW biota.
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13
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Savio D, Stadler P, Reischer GH, Kirschner AK, Demeter K, Linke R, Blaschke AP, Sommer R, Szewzyk U, Wilhartitz IC, Mach RL, Stadler H, Farnleitner AH. Opening the black box of spring water microbiology from alpine karst aquifers to support proactive drinking water resource management. WIRES. WATER 2018; 5:e1282. [PMID: 29780584 PMCID: PMC5947618 DOI: 10.1002/wat2.1282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 01/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 15 years, pioneering interdisciplinary research has been performed on the microbiology of hydrogeologically well-defined alpine karst springs located in the Northern Calcareous Alps (NCA) of Austria. This article gives an overview on these activities and links them to other relevant research. Results from the NCA springs and comparable sites revealed that spring water harbors abundant natural microbial communities even in aquifers with high water residence times and the absence of immediate surface influence. Apparently, hydrogeology has a strong impact on the concentration and size of the observed microbes, and total cell counts (TCC) were suggested as a useful means for spring type classification. Measurement of microbial activities at the NCA springs revealed extremely low microbial growth rates in the base flow component of the studied spring waters and indicated the importance of biofilm-associated microbial activities in sediments and on rock surfaces. Based on genetic analysis, the autochthonous microbial endokarst community (AMEC) versus transient microbial endokarst community (TMEC) concept was proposed for the NCA springs, and further details within this overview article are given to prompt its future evaluation. In this regard, it is well known that during high-discharge situations, surface-associated microbes and nutrients such as from soil habitats or human settlements-potentially containing fecal-associated pathogens as the most critical water-quality hazard-may be rapidly flushed into vulnerable karst aquifers. In this context, a framework for the comprehensive analysis of microbial pollution has been proposed for the NCA springs to support the sustainable management of drinking water safety in accordance with recent World Health Organization guidelines. Near-real-time online water quality monitoring, microbial source tracking (MST) and MST-guided quantitative microbial-risk assessment (QMRA) are examples of the proposed analytical tools. In this context, this overview article also provides a short introduction to recently emerging methodologies in microbiological diagnostics to support reading for the practitioner. Finally, the article highlights future research and development needs. This article is categorized under: 1Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation2Science of Water > Water Extremes3Water and Life > Nature of Freshwater Ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Savio
- Division Water Quality and HealthDepartment Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health SciencesKrems a. d. DonauAustria
- Centre for Water Resource SystemsTechnische Universität WienViennaAustria
| | - Philipp Stadler
- Centre for Water Resource SystemsTechnische Universität WienViennaAustria
- Institute for Water Quality, Resource and Waste ManagementTechnische Universität WienViennaAustria
| | - Georg H. Reischer
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics166/5/3, Technische Universität WienViennaAustria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, www.waterandhealth.at
| | - Alexander K.T. Kirschner
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, www.waterandhealth.at
- Unit Water Hygiene, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Katalin Demeter
- Centre for Water Resource SystemsTechnische Universität WienViennaAustria
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics166/5/3, Technische Universität WienViennaAustria
| | - Rita Linke
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics166/5/3, Technische Universität WienViennaAustria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, www.waterandhealth.at
| | - Alfred P. Blaschke
- Centre for Water Resource SystemsTechnische Universität WienViennaAustria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, www.waterandhealth.at
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources ManagementTechnische Universität WienViennaAustria
| | - Regina Sommer
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, www.waterandhealth.at
- Unit Water Hygiene, Institute for Hygiene and Applied ImmunologyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Ulrich Szewzyk
- Department of Environmental TechnologyTechnical University of BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Inés C. Wilhartitz
- Department of Environmental MicrobiologyEawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and TechnologyDübendorfSwitzerland
| | - Robert L. Mach
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics166/5/3, Technische Universität WienViennaAustria
| | - Hermann Stadler
- Department for Water Resources Management and Environmental AnalyticsInstitute for Water, Energy and Sustainability, Joanneum Research, GrazAustria
| | - Andreas H. Farnleitner
- Division Water Quality and HealthDepartment Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health SciencesKrems a. d. DonauAustria
- Institute of Chemical, Environmental & Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics166/5/3, Technische Universität WienViennaAustria
- Interuniversity Cooperation Centre for Water and Health, www.waterandhealth.at
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14
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Herzyk A, Fillinger L, Larentis M, Qiu S, Maloszewski P, Hünniger M, Schmidt SI, Stumpp C, Marozava S, Knappett PSK, Elsner M, Meckenstock R, Lueders T, Griebler C. Response and recovery of a pristine groundwater ecosystem impacted by toluene contamination - A meso-scale indoor aquifer experiment. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2017; 207:17-30. [PMID: 29128133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities are the driving force behind the degradation of contaminants like aromatic hydrocarbons in groundwater ecosystems. However, little is known about the response of native microbial communities to contamination in pristine environments as well as their potential to recover from a contamination event. Here, we used an indoor aquifer mesocosm filled with sandy quaternary calciferous sediment that was continuously fed with pristine groundwater to study the response, resistance and resilience of microbial communities to toluene contamination over a period of almost two years, comprising 132days of toluene exposure followed by nearly 600days of recovery. We observed an unexpectedly high intrinsic potential for toluene degradation, starting within the first two weeks after the first exposure. The contamination led to a shift from oxic to anoxic, primarily nitrate-reducing conditions as well as marked cell growth inside the contaminant plume. Depth-resolved community fingerprinting revealed a low resistance of the native microbial community to the perturbation induced by the exposure to toluene. Distinct populations that were dominated by a small number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) rapidly emerged inside the plume and at the plume fringes, partially replacing the original community. During the recovery period physico-chemical conditions were restored to the pristine state within about 35days, whereas the recovery of the biological parameters was much slower and the community composition inside the former plume area had not recovered to the original state by the end of the experiment. These results demonstrate the low resilience of sediment-associated groundwater microbial communities to organic pollution and underline that recovery of groundwater ecosystems cannot be assessed solely by physico-chemical parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Herzyk
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lucas Fillinger
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Larentis
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Shiran Qiu
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Piotr Maloszewski
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Marko Hünniger
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Susanne I Schmidt
- University of Koblenz-Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, Landau, Germany
| | - Christine Stumpp
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sviatlana Marozava
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Peter S K Knappett
- Texas A&M University, College of Geosciences, Department of Geology & Geophysics, College Station, Texas, United States
| | - Martin Elsner
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany; Technical University of Munich, Chair of Analytical Chemistry and Water Chemistry, Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Meckenstock
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany; University of Duisburg-Essen, Biofilm Centre, Aquatic Microbiology, Essen, Germany
| | - Tillmann Lueders
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Griebler
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Neuherberg, Germany.
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15
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Spatial and temporal variability of bacterial communities in high alpine water spring sediments. Res Microbiol 2016; 167:325-333. [PMID: 26776565 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Water springs are complex, fragile and taxa-rich environments, especially in highly dynamic ecosystems such as glacier forefields experiencing glacier retreat. Bacterial communities are important actors in alpine water body metabolism, and have shown both high seasonal and spatial variations. Seven springs from a high alpine valley (Matsch Valley, South Tyrol, Italy) were examined via a multidisciplinary approach using both hydrochemical and microbiological techniques. Amplified ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and electric conductivity (EC) measurements, as well as elemental composition and water stable isotopic analyses, were performed. Our target was to elucidate whether and how bacterial community structure is influenced by water chemistry, and to determine the origin and extent of variation in space and time. There existed variations in both space and time for all variables measured. Diversity values more markedly differed at the beginning of summer and then at the end; the extent of variation in space was prevalent over the time scale. Bacterial community structural variation responded to hydrochemical parameter changes; moreover, the stability of the hydrochemical parameters played an important role in shaping distinctive bacterial communities.
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16
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Dirnböck T, Kobler J, Kraus D, Grote R, Kiese R. Impacts of management and climate change on nitrate leaching in a forested karst area. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2016; 165:243-252. [PMID: 26439862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Forest management and climate change, directly or indirectly, affect drinking water resources, both in terms of quality and quantity. In this study in the Northern Limestone Alps in Austria we have chosen model calculations (LandscapeDNDC) in order to resolve the complex long-term interactions of management and climate change and their effect on nitrogen dynamics, and the consequences for nitrate leaching from forest soils into the karst groundwater. Our study highlights the dominant role of forest management in controlling nitrate leaching. Both clear-cut and shelterwood-cut disrupt the nitrogen cycle to an extent that causes peak concentrations and high fluxes into the seepage water. While this effect is well known, our modelling approach has revealed additional positive as well as negative impacts of the expected climatic changes on nitrate leaching. First, we show that peak nitrate concentrations during post-cutting periods were elevated under all climate scenarios. The maximal effects of climatic changes on nitrate concentration peaks were 20-24 mg L(-1) in 2090 with shelterwood or clear-cut management. Second, climate change significantly decreased the cumulative nitrate losses over full forest rotation periods (by 10-20%). The stronger the expected temperature increase and precipitation decrease (in summer), the lesser were the observed nitrate losses. However, mean annual seepage water nitrate concentrations and cumulative nitrate leaching were higher under continuous forest cover management than with shelterwood-cut and clear-cut systems. Watershed management can thus be adapted to climate change by either reducing peak concentrations or long-term loads of nitrate in the karst groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Dirnböck
- Environment Agency Austria, Department for Ecosystem Research and Data Information Management, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Johannes Kobler
- Environment Agency Austria, Department for Ecosystem Research and Data Information Management, Spittelauer Lände 5, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - David Kraus
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Grote
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Ralf Kiese
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research (IMK-IFU), Kreuzeckbahnstraße 19, 82467, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
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17
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Brannen-Donnelly K, Engel AS. Bacterial diversity differences along an epigenic cave stream reveal evidence of community dynamics, succession, and stability. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:729. [PMID: 26257715 PMCID: PMC4508600 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Unchanging physicochemical conditions and nutrient sources over long periods of time in cave and karst subsurface habitats, particularly aquifers, can support stable ecosystems, termed autochthonous microbial endokarst communities (AMEC). AMEC existence is unknown for other karst settings, such as epigenic cave streams. Conceptually, AMEC should not form in streams due to faster turnover rates and seasonal disturbances that have the capacity to transport large quantities of water and sediment and to change allochthonous nutrient and organic matter sources. Our goal was to investigate whether AMEC could form and persist in hydrologically active, epigenic cave streams. We analyzed bacterial diversity from cave water, sediments, and artificial substrates (Bio-Traps®) placed in the cave at upstream and downstream locations. Distinct communities existed for the water, sediments, and Bio-Trap® samplers. Throughout the study period, a subset of community members persisted in the water, regardless of hydrological disturbances. Stable habitat conditions based on flow regimes resulted in more than one contemporaneous, stable community throughout the epigenic cave stream. However, evidence for AMEC was insufficient for the cave water or sediments. Community succession, specifically as predictable exogenous heterotrophic microbial community succession, was evident from decreases in community richness from the Bio-Traps®, a peak in Bio-Trap® community biomass, and from changes in the composition of Bio-Trap® communities. The planktonic community was compositionally similar to Bio-Trap® initial colonizers, but the downstream Bio-Trap® community became more similar to the sediment community at the same location. These results can help in understanding the diversity of planktonic and attached microbial communities from karst, as well as microbial community dynamics, stability, and succession during disturbance or contamination responses over time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annette S Engel
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN, USA
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18
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Weaver L, Webber JB, Hickson AC, Abraham PM, Close ME. Biofilm resilience to desiccation in groundwater aquifers: a laboratory and field study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 514:281-289. [PMID: 25668280 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is used as a precious resource for drinking water worldwide. Increasing anthropogenic activity is putting increasing pressure on groundwater resources. One impact of increased groundwater abstraction coupled with increasing dry weather events is the lowering of groundwater levels within aquifers. Biofilms within groundwater aquifers offer protection to the groundwater by removing contaminants entering the aquifer systems from land use activities. The study presented investigated the impact of desiccation events on the biofilms present in groundwater aquifers using field and laboratory experiments. In both field and laboratory experiments a reduction in enzyme activity (glucosidase, esterase and phosphatase) was seen during desiccation compared to wet controls. However, comparing all the data together no significant differences were seen between either wet or desiccated samples or between the start and end of the experiments. In both field and laboratory experiments enzyme activity recovered to start levels after return to wet conditions. The study shows that biofilms within groundwater systems are resilient and can withstand periods of desiccation (4 months).
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Affiliation(s)
- L Weaver
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - J B Webber
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - A C Hickson
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - P M Abraham
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - M E Close
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand
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19
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Amalfitano S, Del Bon A, Zoppini A, Ghergo S, Fazi S, Parrone D, Casella P, Stano F, Preziosi E. Groundwater geochemistry and microbial community structure in the aquifer transition from volcanic to alluvial areas. WATER RESEARCH 2014; 65:384-394. [PMID: 25165005 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 08/03/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Groundwaters may act as sinks or sources of organic and inorganic solutes, depending on the relative magnitude of biochemical mobilizing processes and groundwater-surface water exchanges. The objective of this study was to link the lithological and hydrogeological gradients to the aquatic microbial community structure in the transition from aquifer recharge (volcanic formations) to discharge areas (alluvial deposits). A field-scale analysis was performed along a water table aquifer in which volcanic products decreased in thickness and areal extension, while alluvial deposits became increasingly important. We measured the main groundwater physical parameters and the concentrations of major and trace elements. In addition, the microbial community structure was assessed by estimating the occurrence of total coliforms and Escherichia coli, the prokaryotic abundance, the cytometric and phylogenetic community composition. The overall biogeochemical asset differed along the aquifer flow path. The concentration of total and live prokaryotic cells significantly increased in alluvial waters, together with the percentages of Beta- and Delta-Proteobacteria. The microbial propagation over a theoretical groundwater travel time allowed for the identification of microbial groups shifting significantly in the transition between the two different hydrogeochemical facies. The microbial community structure was intimately associated with geochemical changes, thus it should be further considered in view of a better understanding of groundwater ecology and sustainable management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Amalfitano
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy.
| | - A Del Bon
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - A Zoppini
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - S Ghergo
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - S Fazi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - D Parrone
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - P Casella
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - F Stano
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
| | - E Preziosi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA-CNR), Via Salaria Km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy
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20
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Current developments in groundwater ecology—from biodiversity to ecosystem function and services. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2014; 27:159-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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21
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Shabarova T, Villiger J, Morenkov O, Niggemann J, Dittmar T, Pernthaler J. Bacterial community structure and dissolved organic matter in repeatedly flooded subsurface karst water pools. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2014; 89:111-26. [PMID: 24716603 DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 03/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial diversity, community assembly, and the composition of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) were studied in three temporary subsurface karst pools with different flooding regimes. We tested the hypothesis that microorganisms introduced to the pools during floods faced environmental filtering toward a 'typical' karst water community, and we investigated whether DOM composition was related to floodings and the residence time of water in stagnant pools. As predicted, longer water residence consistently led to a decline of bacterial diversity. The microbial assemblages in the influx water harbored more 'exotic' lineages with large distances to known genotypes, yet these initial communities already appeared to be shaped by selective processes. β-Proteobacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) closely related to microbes from subsurface or surface aquatic environments were mainly responsible for the clustering of samples according to water residence time in the pools. By contrast, several Cytophagaceae and Flavobacteriaceae OTUs were related to different floodings, which were also the main determinants of DOM composition. A subset of compounds distinguishable by molecular mass and O/C content were characteristic for individual floods. Moreover, there was a transformation of DOM in stagnant pools toward smaller and more aromatic compounds, potentially also reflecting microbial utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Shabarova
- Limnological Station, Institute of Plant Biology, University of Zurich, Kilchberg, Switzerland
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22
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Konopka A, Plymale AE, Carvajal DA, Lin X, McKinley JP. Environmental controls on the activity of aquifer microbial communities in the 300 area of the Hanford site. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2013; 66:889-896. [PMID: 24061343 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-013-0283-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Aquifer microbes in the 300 Area of the Hanford Site in southeastern Washington State, USA, are located in an oligotrophic environment and are periodically exposed to U(VI) concentrations that can range up to 10 μM in small sediment fractures. Assays of (3)H-leucine incorporation indicated that both sediment-associated and planktonic microbes were metabolically active, and that organic C was growth-limiting in the sediments. Although bacteria suspended in native groundwater retained high activity when exposed to 100 μM U(VI), they were inhibited by U(VI) <1 μM in synthetic groundwater that lacked added bicarbonate. Chemical speciation modeling suggested that positively charged species and particularly (UO2)3(OH)5 (+) rose in concentration as more U(VI) was added to synthetic groundwater, but that carbonate complexes dominated U(VI) speciation in natural groundwater. U toxicity was relieved when increasing amounts of bicarbonate were added to synthetic groundwater containing 4.5 μM U(VI). Pertechnetate, an oxyanion that is another contaminant of concern at the Hanford Site, was not toxic to groundwater microbes at concentrations up to 125 μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Konopka
- Microbiology Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-18, Richland, WA, 99352, USA,
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Intrinsic potential for immediate biodegradation of toluene in a pristine, energy-limited aquifer. Biodegradation 2013; 25:325-36. [PMID: 24062165 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-013-9663-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Pristine and energy-limited aquifers are considered to have a low resistance and resilience towards organic pollution. An experiment in an indoor aquifer system revealed an unexpected high intrinsic potential for the attenuation of a short-term toluene contamination. A 30 h pulse of 486 mg of toluene, used as a model contaminant, and deuterated water (D2O) through an initially pristine, oxic, and organic carbon poor sandy aquifer revealed an immediate aerobic toluene degradation potential. Based on contaminant and tracer break-through curves, as well as mass balance analyses and reactive transport modelling, a contaminant removal of 40 % over a transport distance of only 4.2 m in less than one week of travel time was obtained. The mean first-order degradation rate constant was λ = 0.178 day(-1), corresponding to a half-life time constant T1/2 of 3.87 days. Toluene-specific stable carbon isotope analysis independently proved that the contaminant mass removal can be attributed to microbial biodegradation. Since average doubling times of indigenous bacterial communities were in the range of months to years, the aerobic biodegradation potential observed is assumed to be present and active in the pristine, energy-limited groundwater ecosystems at any time. Follow-up experiments and field studies will help to quantify the immediate natural attenuation potential of aquifers for selected priority contaminants and will try to identify the key-degraders within the autochthonous microbial communities.
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Wilhartitz IC, Kirschner AKT, Brussaard CPD, Fischer UR, Wieltschnig C, Stadler H, Farnleitner AH. Dynamics of natural prokaryotes, viruses, and heterotrophic nanoflagellates in alpine karstic groundwater. Microbiologyopen 2013; 2:633-43. [PMID: 23828838 PMCID: PMC3831627 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal dynamics of naturally occurring prokaryotes, viruses, and heterotrophic nanoflagellates in two hydro-geologically contrasting alpine karst springs were monitored over three annual cycles. To our knowledge, this study is the first to shed light on the occurrence and possible interrelationships between these three groups in karstic groundwater. Hydrological and microbiological standard indicators were recovered simultaneously in order to estimate surface influence, especially during rainfall events. Data revealed a strong dependence of the microbial communities on the prevailing hydrological situation. Prokaryotic numbers averaged 5.1 × 107 and 1.3 × 107 cells L−1, and heterotrophic nanoflagellate abundance averaged 1.1 × 104 and 3 × 103 cells L−1 in the limestone spring type (LKAS2) and the dolomitic spring type (DKAS1), respectively. Viral abundance in LKAS2 and DKAS1 averaged 9.4 × 108 and 1.1 × 108 viruses L−1. Unlike in DKAS1, the dynamic spring type LKAS2 revealed a clear difference between base flow and high discharge conditions. The virus-to-prokaryotes ratio was generally lower by a factor of 2–3, at higher average water residence times. Furthermore, the high prokaryotes-to-heterotrophic nanoflagellate ratios, namely about 4700 and 5400 for LKAS2 and DKAS1, respectively, pointed toward an uncoupling of these two groups in the planktonic fraction of alpine karstic aquifers. Seasonal dynamics of naturally occurring prokaryotes, viruses and heterotrophic nanoflagellates in two hydro-geologically contrasting alpine karst springs were monitored over three annual cycles. Data revealed a strong dependence of the microbial communities on the prevailing hydrological situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inés C Wilhartitz
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
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25
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Rizoulis A, Elliott DR, Rolfe SA, Thornton SF, Banwart SA, Pickup RW, Scholes JD. Diversity of planktonic and attached bacterial communities in a phenol-contaminated sandstone aquifer. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2013; 66:84-95. [PMID: 23640275 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-013-0233-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Polluted aquifers contain indigenous microbial communities with the potential for in situ bioremediation. However, the effect of hydrogeochemical gradients on in situ microbial communities (especially at the plume fringe, where natural attenuation is higher) is still not clear. In this study, we used culture-independent techniques to investigate the diversity of in situ planktonic and attached bacterial communities in a phenol-contaminated sandstone aquifer. Within the upper and lower plume fringes, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles indicated that planktonic community structure was influenced by the steep hydrogeochemical gradient of the plume rather than the spatial location in the aquifer. Under the same hydrogeochemical conditions (in the lower plume fringe, 30 m below ground level), 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing showed that planktonic and attached bacterial communities differed markedly and that the attached community was more diverse. The 16S rRNA gene phylogeny also suggested that a phylogenetically diverse bacterial community operated at this depth (30 mbgl), with biodegradation of phenolic compounds by nitrate-reducing Azoarcus and Acidovorax strains potentially being an important process. The presence of acetogenic and sulphate-reducing bacteria only in the planktonic clone library indicates that some natural attenuation processes may occur preferentially in one of the two growth phases (attached or planktonic). Therefore, this study has provided a better understanding of the microbial ecology of this phenol-contaminated aquifer, and it highlights the need for investigating both planktonic and attached microbial communities when assessing the potential for natural attenuation in contaminated aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Rizoulis
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
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Risse-Buhl U, Herrmann M, Lange P, Akob DM, Pizani N, Schönborn W, Totsche KU, Küsel K. Phagotrophic Protist Diversity in the Groundwater of a Karstified Aquifer - Morphological and Molecular Analysis. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2013; 60:467-79. [DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2012] [Revised: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ute Risse-Buhl
- Limnology/Aquatic Geomicrobiology Research Group; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger Straße 159 07743 Jena Thuringia Germany
| | - Martina Herrmann
- Limnology/Aquatic Geomicrobiology Research Group; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger Straße 159 07743 Jena Thuringia Germany
| | - Patricia Lange
- Limnology/Aquatic Geomicrobiology Research Group; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger Straße 159 07743 Jena Thuringia Germany
- Department of Hydrogeology; Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Burgweg 11 07749 Jena Thuringia Germany
| | - Denise M. Akob
- Limnology/Aquatic Geomicrobiology Research Group; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger Straße 159 07743 Jena Thuringia Germany
| | - Natalia Pizani
- Limnology/Aquatic Geomicrobiology Research Group; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger Straße 159 07743 Jena Thuringia Germany
| | - Wilfried Schönborn
- Limnology/Aquatic Geomicrobiology Research Group; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger Straße 159 07743 Jena Thuringia Germany
| | - Kai Uwe Totsche
- Department of Hydrogeology; Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Burgweg 11 07749 Jena Thuringia Germany
| | - Kirsten Küsel
- Limnology/Aquatic Geomicrobiology Research Group; Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Dornburger Straße 159 07743 Jena Thuringia Germany
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Shabarova T, Widmer F, Pernthaler J. Mass effects meet species sorting: transformations of microbial assemblages in epiphreatic subsurface karst water pools. Environ Microbiol 2013; 15:2476-88. [PMID: 23614967 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2012] [Revised: 02/21/2013] [Accepted: 02/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the transformations of the microbial communities in epiphreatic karst cave pools with different flooding frequencies. Fingerprinting of 16S rRNA genes was combined with microscopic and sequence analysis to examine if source water would transport comparable microbial inocula into the pools at consecutive flood events, and to assess possible effects of residence time on the microbial assemblages during stagnant periods. Variability in the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and conductivity indicated differences between floods and changes of pool water over time. High numbers of Betaproteobacteria affiliated with Methylophilaceae and Comamonadaceae were introduced into the pools during floodings. While the former persisted in the pools, the latter exhibited considerable microdiversification. These Betaproteobacteria might thus represent core microbial groups in karst water. A decrease in the estimated total diversity of the remaining bacterial taxa was apparent after a few weeks of residence: Some were favoured by stagnant conditions, whereas the majority was rapidly outcompeted. Thus, the microbial communities consisted of different components governed by complementary assembly mechanisms (dispersal versus environmental filtering) upon introduction into the pools. High overlap of temporary and persistent community members between samplings from two winters, moreover, reflected the seasonal recurrence of the studied microbial assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Shabarova
- Limnological Station, Institute of Plant Biology, University of Zurich, Seestr. 187, CH-8802, Kilchberg, Switzerland
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Morasch B. Occurrence and dynamics of micropollutants in a karst aquifer. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 173:133-137. [PMID: 23202643 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2012] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Karst systems represent important yet vulnerable drinking water resources. A wide spectrum of pollutants may be released into karst groundwater from agriculture, livestock farming, private households, and industry. This work provides an overview on the occurrence and dynamics of micropollutants in a karst system of the Swiss Jura. Ten months of intensive monitoring for micropollutants confirmed that the swallow hole draining an agricultural plain was the main entry path for pesticides into the karst system and the two connected springs. Elevated fungicide concentrations in winter and occasional quantification of pharmaceuticals suggested wood- or façade treatment and domestic sewer as additional sources of contamination. A continuous atrazine signal in the low ng/L range might affect the autochthonous endokarst microbial community and represents a potential risk for the human population through karst groundwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Morasch
- Laboratoire de Chimie Environnementale, EPFL - ENAC - LCE, Bâtiment GR, Station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Wagner H, Dunker S, Liu Z, Wilhelm C. Subcommunity FTIR-spectroscopy to determine physiological cell states. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2013; 24:88-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2012.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 09/11/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Zhou Y, Kellermann C, Griebler C. Spatio-temporal patterns of microbial communities in a hydrologically dynamic pristine aquifer. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2012; 81:230-42. [PMID: 22452537 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2012.01371.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2011] [Revised: 03/19/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal patterns of groundwater and sediment microbial communities were explored in a hydrologically dynamic alpine oligotrophic porous aquifer, characterized by pronounced groundwater table fluctuations. Rising of the groundwater level in consequence of snow melting water recharge was accompanied by a dramatic drop of bacterial Shannon diversity in groundwater from H' = 3.22 ± 0.28 in autumn and winter to H' = 1.31 ± 0.35 in spring and summer, evaluated based on T-RFLP community fingerprinting. Elevated numbers of bacteria in groundwater in autumn followed nutrient inputs via recharge from summer rains and correlated well with highest concentrations of assimilable organic carbon. Sterile sediments incubated to groundwater in monitoring wells were readily colonized reaching maximum cell densities within 2 months, followed by a consecutive but delayed increase and leveling-off of bacterial diversity. After 1 year of incubation, the initially sterile sediments exhibited a similar number of bacteria and Shannon diversity when compared to vital sediment from a nearby river incubated in parallel. The river bed sediment microbial communities hardly changed in composition, diversity, and cell numbers during 1 year of exposure to groundwater. Summing up, the seasonal hydrological dynamics were found to induce considerable dynamics of microbial communities suspended in groundwater, while sediment communities seem unaffected and stable in terms of biomass and diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Zhou
- Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, GmbH, Neuherberg, Germany
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Reischer GH, Kollanur D, Vierheilig J, Wehrspaun C, Mach RL, Sommer R, Stadler H, Farnleitner AH. Hypothesis-driven approach for the identification of fecal pollution sources in water resources. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2011; 45:4038-45. [PMID: 21466151 PMCID: PMC3084580 DOI: 10.1021/es103659s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Water resource management must strive to link catchment information with water quality monitoring. The present study attempted this for the field of microbial fecal source tracking (MST). A fecal pollution source profile based on catchment data (e.g., prevalence of fecal sources) was used to formulate a hypothesis about the dominant sources of pollution in an Austrian mountainous karst spring catchment. This allowed a statistical definition of methodical requirements necessary for an informed choice of MST methods. The hypothesis was tested in a 17-month investigation of spring water quality. The study followed a nested sampling design in order to cover the hydrological and pollution dynamics of the spring and to assess effects such as differential persistence between parameters. Genetic markers for the potential fecal sources as well as microbiological, hydrological, and chemo-physical parameters were measured. The hypothesis that ruminant animals were the dominant sources of fecal pollution in the catchment was clearly confirmed. It was also shown that the concentration of ruminant markers in feces was equally distributed in different ruminant source groups. The developed approach provides a tool for careful decision-making in MST study design and might be applied on various types of catchments and pollution situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G. H. Reischer
- Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Ecology, Division Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/166-5-2, A-1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - D. Kollanur
- Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Ecology, Division Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/166-5-2, A-1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - J. Vierheilig
- Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Ecology, Division Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/166-5-2, A-1060 Vienna, Austria
- Centre for Water Resource Systems (CWRS), Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/222, A-1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - C. Wehrspaun
- Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Ecology, Division Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/166-5-2, A-1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - R. L. Mach
- Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Ecology, Division Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/166-5-2, A-1060 Vienna, Austria
| | - R. Sommer
- Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Water Hygiene, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - H. Stadler
- Joanneum Research Institute of Water, Energy and Sustainability, Department of Water Resources Management, Elisabethstrasse 16/II, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - A. H. Farnleitner
- Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Ecology, Division Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Gumpendorfer Strasse 1a/166-5-2, A-1060 Vienna, Austria
- Phone: +43-664-60588-2244; fax: +43-1-58801-17299; e-mail:
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Farnleitner AH, Ryzinska-Paier G, Reischer GH, Burtscher MM, Knetsch S, Kirschner AKT, Dirnböck T, Kuschnig G, Mach RL, Sommer R. Escherichia coli and enterococci are sensitive and reliable indicators for human, livestock and wildlife faecal pollution in alpine mountainous water resources. J Appl Microbiol 2010; 109:1599-608. [PMID: 20629798 PMCID: PMC3154642 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04788.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS This study evaluated the applicability of standard faecal indicator bacteria (SFIB) for alpine mountainous water resources monitoring. METHODS AND RESULTS Escherichia coli, enterococci (ENTC) and Clostridium perfringens were investigated by standard or frequently applied phenotypic and genotypic methods in a broad range of animal and human faecal sources in a large alpine mountainous area. Clostridium perfringens occurred only in human, livestock and carnivorous source groups in relevant average concentrations (log 4·7-7·0CFU g(-1) ) but not in herbivorous wildlife sources. Escherichia coli proved to be distributed in all faecal source groups with remarkably balanced average concentrations (log 7·0-8·4CFU g(-1) ). Except for single faecal samples from the cattle source group, prevalence rates for ENTC source groups were generally >87% with average concentrations of log 5·3-7·7 CFUg(-1) . To test the faecal indication capacity in the environment, faecal prevalence data were comparatively analysed with results from the concurrently performed multi-parametric microbial source tracking effort on karst spring water quality from the investigated alpine mountainous catchment (Reischer et al. 2008; Environ Microbiol 10:2598-2608). CONCLUSION Escherichia coli and enterococci are reliable faecal indicators for alpine mountainous water resources monitoring, although E. coli is the more sensitive one. Clostridium perfringens did not prove to be an indicator of general faecal pollution but is suggested a conservative microbial source tracking marker for anthropogenic faecal influence. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Applicability of SFIB is currently hotly debated. This is the first study providing comprehensive information on the applicability of SFIB at alpine mountainous habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Farnleitner
- Institute for Chemical Engineering, Research Area Applied Biochemistry and Gene Technology, Research Group Environmental Microbiology and Molecular Ecology, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, Austria.
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