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Davis SN, Klumker SM, Mitchell AA, Coppage MA, Labonté JM, Quigg A. Life in the PFAS lane: The impact of perfluoroalkyl substances on photosynthesis, cellular exudates, nutrient cycling, and composition of a marine microbial community. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:171977. [PMID: 38547969 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171977] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of great ecological concern, however, exploration of their impact on bacteria-phytoplankton consortia is limited. This study employed a bioassay approach to investigate the effect of unary exposures of increasing concentrations of PFAS (perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate (6:2 FTS)) on microbial communities from the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Each community was examined for changes in growth and photophysiology, exudate production and shifts in community structure (16S and 18S rRNA genes). 6:2 FTS did not alter the growth or health of phytoplankton communities, as there were no changes relative to the controls (no PFOS added). On the other hand, PFOS elicited significant phototoxicity (p < 0.05), altering PSII antennae size, lowering PSII connectivity, and decreasing photosynthetic efficiency over the incubation (four days). PFOS induced a cellular protective response, indicated by significant increases (p < 0.001) in the release of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) compared to the control. Eukaryotic communities (18S rRNA gene) changed substantially (p < 0.05) and to a greater extent than prokaryotic communities (16S rRNA gene) in PFOS treatments. Community shifts were concentration-dependent for eukaryotes, with the low treatment (5 mg/L PFOS) dominated by Coscinodiscophyceae (40 %), and the high treatment (30 mg/L PFOS) marked by a Trebouxiophyceae (50 %) dominance. Prokaryotic community shifts were not concentration dependent, as both treatment levels became depleted in Cyanobacteriia and were dominated by members of the Bacteroidia, Gammaproteobacteria, and Alphaproteobacteria classes. Further, PFOS significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the Shannon diversity and Pielou's evenness across treatments for eukaryotes, and in the low treatment (5 mg/L PFOS) for prokaryotes. These findings show that photophysiology was not impacted by 6:2 FTS but PFOS elicited toxicity that impacted photosynthesis, exudate release, and community composition. This research is crucial in understanding how PFOS impacts microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Davis
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA.
| | - Shaley M Klumker
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Alexis A Mitchell
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Marshall A Coppage
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, 715 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Jessica M Labonté
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA; Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, 3146 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, 534 John Kimbrough Boulevard, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Gofstein TR, Leigh MB. Metatranscriptomic shifts suggest shared biodegradation pathways for Corexit 9500 components and crude oil in Arctic seawater. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 15:51-59. [PMID: 36177554 PMCID: PMC10103760 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
While the genes and pathways responsible for petroleum biodegradation in marine environments have received substantial attention, considerably less is known about those active in the biodegradation of the commonly applied chemical dispersant Corexit 9500. Yet, their fate in the Arctic marine environment is an increasingly important unknown. To elucidate the genes and pathways active in the biodegradation of oil and dispersants, we performed metatranscriptomic sequencing on microbial communities in Arctic seawater exposed to oil, Corexit, or both for 0, 5, and 30 days in a mesocosm incubation experiment. While oil and Corexit stimulated significantly different metatranscriptomic profiles overall, both enriched a suite of fatty acid degradation gene transcripts. Based on the gene transcripts observed and the chemical structures of Corexit 9500 surfactant components, we propose a hypothetical pathway for Corexit surfactant biodegradation in which surfactant ester groups are transformed into fatty acids that are then funnelled into the β-oxidation fatty acid degradation pathway. Several microbial taxa within Oceanospirillales, Pseudomonadales, and Alteromonadales were associated with either oil-only or Corexit-only exposure, potentially implicating them in the degradation of these mixtures. Metabolic gene transcripts were associated with diverse gammaproteobacterial lineages, with many genera exhibiting functional redundancy. These findings offer new insight into the potential genes, pathways, and microbial consortia involved in the biodegradation of Corexit 9500 in the Arctic marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R. Gofstein
- Institute of Arctic BiologyUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAlaskaUSA
- Department of Chemistry & BiochemistryUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAlaskaUSA
| | - Mary Beth Leigh
- Institute of Arctic BiologyUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAlaskaUSA
- Department of Biology and WildlifeUniversity of Alaska FairbanksFairbanksAlaskaUSA
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Qian Z, Peng T, Huang T, Hu Z. Oxidization of benzo[a]pyrene by CYP102 in a novel PAHs-degrader Pontibacillus sp. HN14 with potential application in high salinity environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 321:115922. [PMID: 36027730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Benzo [a]pyrene (BaP) is a type of high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with potent carcinogenicity; however, there are limited studies on its degradation mechanism. Here, a strain of Pontibacillus sp. HN14 with BaP degradation ability was isolated from mangrove sediments in Dongzhai Port, Hainan Province. Our study showed that biodegradation efficiencies reached 42.15% after Pontibacillus sp. HN14 was cultured with 20 mg L-1 BaP as the sole carbon source for 25 days and still had degradability of BaP at a 25% high salinity level. Moreover, 9,10-dihydrobenzo [a]pyrene-7(8H)-one, an intermediate metabolite, was detected during BaP degradation in the HN14 strain. Genome analysis identified a gene encoding the CYP102(HN14) enzyme. The results showed that the E. coli strain with CYP102(HN14) overexpression could transfer BaP to 9,10-dihydrobenzo [a]pyrene-7(8H)-one with a conversion rate of 43.5%, indicating that CYP102(HN14) played an essential role in BaP degradation in Pontibacillus sp. HN14. Thus, our results provide a novel BaP biodegradation molecule, which could be used in BaP bioremediation in high salinity conditions. This study is the first to show that CYP102(HN14) had the BaP oxidization ability in bacteria. CYP102(HN14) could be essential in removing PAHs in saline-alkali soil and other high salt environments through enzyme immobilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Qian
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, PR China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, PR China
| | - Tongwang Huang
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, PR China
| | - Zhong Hu
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, PR China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, Guangdong, PR China.
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Hydrolysis of Methylumbeliferyl Substrate Proxies for Esterase Activities as Indicator for Microbial Oil Degradation in the Ocean: Evidence from Observations in the Aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill (Gulf of Mexico). JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse10050583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Biological oil weathering facilitated by specialized heterotrophic microbial communities plays a key role in the fate of petroleum hydrocarbon in the ocean. The most common methods of assessing oil biodegradation involve (i) measuring changes in the composition and concentration of oil over time and/or (ii) biological incubations with stable or radio-labelled substrates. Both methods provide robust and invaluable information on hydrocarbon biodegradation pathways; however, they also require extensive sample processing and are expensive in nature. More convenient ways to assess activities within microbial oil degradation networks involve measuring extracellular enzyme activity. This perspective article synthesizes previously published results from studies conducted in the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM), to test the hypothesis that fluorescence assays of esterases, including lipase activity, are sensitive indicators for microbial oil degradation in the ocean. In agreement with the rates and patterns of enzyme activity in oil-contaminated seawater and sediments in the nGoM, we found close correlations between esterase activity measured by means of methylumbeliferyl (MUF) oleate and MUF butyrate hydrolysis, and the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in two separate laboratory incubations using surface (<1 m) and deep nGoM waters (>1200 m). Correlations between esterase activities and oil were driven by the presence of chemical dispersants, suggesting a connection to the degree of oil dissolution in the medium. Our results clearly show that esterase activities measured with fluorogenic substrate proxies are a good indicator for oil biodegradation in the ocean; however, there are certain factors as discussed in this study that need to be taken into consideration while utilizing this approach.
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Aljandal S, Doyle SM, Bera G, Wade TL, Knap AH, Sylvan JB. Mesopelagic microbial community dynamics in response to increasing oil and Corexit 9500 concentrations. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263420. [PMID: 35196352 PMCID: PMC8865645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine microbial communities play an important role in biodegradation of subsurface plumes of oil that form after oil is accidentally released from a seafloor wellhead. The response of these mesopelagic microbial communities to the application of chemical dispersants following oil spills remains a debated topic. While there is evidence that contrasting results in some previous work may be due to differences in dosage between studies, the impacts of these differences on mesopelagic microbial community composition remains unconstrained. To answer this open question, we exposed a mesopelagic microbial community from the Gulf of Mexico to oil alone, three concentrations of oil dispersed with Corexit 9500, and three concentrations of Corexit 9500 alone over long periods of time. We analyzed changes in hydrocarbon chemistry, cell abundance, and microbial community composition at zero, three and six weeks. The lowest concentration of dispersed oil yielded hydrocarbon concentrations lower than oil alone and microbial community composition more similar to control seawater than any other treatments with oil or dispersant. Higher concentrations of dispersed oil resulted in higher concentrations of microbe-oil microaggregates and similar microbial composition to the oil alone treatment. The genus Colwellia was more abundant when exposed to multiple concentrations of dispersed oil, but not when exposed to dispersant alone. Conversely, the most abundant Marinobacter amplicon sequence variant (ASV) was not influenced by dispersant when oil was present and showed an inverse relationship to the summed abundance of Alcanivorax ASVs. As a whole, the data presented here show that the concentration of oil strongly impacts microbial community response, more so than the presence of dispersant, confirming the importance of the concentrations of both oil and dispersant in considering the design and interpretation of results for oil spill simulation experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahd Aljandal
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Shawn M. Doyle
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Gopal Bera
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Terry L. Wade
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Anthony H. Knap
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
- Geochemical and Environmental Research Group, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
| | - Jason B. Sylvan
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Kamalanathan M, Hillhouse J, Claflin N, Rodkey T, Mondragon A, Prouse A, Nguyen M, Quigg A. Influence of nutrient status on the response of the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum to oil and dispersant. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259506. [PMID: 34851969 PMCID: PMC8635359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytoplankton play a central role in our ecosystems, they are responsible for nearly 50 percent of the global primary productivity and major drivers of macro-elemental cycles in the ocean. Phytoplankton are constantly subjected to stressors, some natural such as nutrient limitation and some manmade such as oil spills. With increasing oil exploration activities in coastal zones in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere, an oil spill during nutrient-limited conditions for phytoplankton growth is highly likely. We performed a multifactorial study exposing the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum (UTEX 646) to oil and/or dispersants under nitrogen and silica limitation as well as co-limitation of both nutrients. Our study found that treatments with nitrogen limitation (-N and–N-Si) showed overall lower growth and chlorophyll a, lower photosynthetic antennae size, lower maximum photosynthetic efficiency, lower protein in exopolymeric substance (EPS), but higher connectivity between photosystems compared to non-nitrogen limited treatments (-Si and +N+Si) in almost all the conditions with oil and/or dispersants. However, certain combinations of nutrient limitation and oil and/or dispersant differed from this trend indicating strong interactive effects. When analyzed for significant interactive effects, the–N treatment impact on cellular growth in oil and oil plus dispersant conditions; and oil and oil plus dispersant conditions on cellular growth in–N-Si and–N treatments were found to be significant. Overall, we demonstrate that nitrogen limitation can affect the oil resistant trait of P. tricornutum, and oil with and without dispersants can have interactive effects with nutrient limitation on this diatom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kamalanathan
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Jessica Hillhouse
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Noah Claflin
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Talia Rodkey
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Andrew Mondragon
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alexandra Prouse
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michelle Nguyen
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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Achberger AM, Doyle SM, Mills MI, Holmes CP, Quigg A, Sylvan JB. Bacteria-Oil Microaggregates Are an Important Mechanism for Hydrocarbon Degradation in the Marine Water Column. mSystems 2021; 6:e0110521. [PMID: 34609162 PMCID: PMC8547462 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01105-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Following oil spills in aquatic environments, oil-associated flocculants observed within contaminated waters ultimately lead to the sedimentation of oil as marine oil snow (MOS). To better understand the role of aggregates in hydrocarbon degradation and transport, we experimentally produced a MOS sedimentation event using Gulf of Mexico coastal waters amended with oil or oil plus dispersant. In addition to the formation of MOS, smaller micrometer-scale (10- to 150-μm) microbial aggregates were observed. Visual inspection of these microaggregates revealed that they were most abundant in the oil-amended treatments and frequently associated with oil droplets, linking their formation to the presence of oil. The peak abundance of the microaggregates coincided with the maximum rates of biological hydrocarbon oxidation estimated by the mineralization of 14C-labeled hexadecane and naphthalene. To elucidate the potential of microaggregates to serve as hot spots for hydrocarbon degradation, we characterized the free-living and aggregate-associated microbial assemblages using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The microaggregate population was found to be bacterially dominated and enriched with putative hydrocarbon-degrading taxa. Direct observation of some of these taxa using catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization confirmed their greater abundance within microaggregates relative to the surrounding seawater. Metagenomic sequencing of these bacteria-oil microaggregates (BOMAs) further supported their community's capacity to utilize a wide variety of hydrocarbon compounds. Taken together, these data highlight that BOMAs are inherent features in the biological response to oil spills and likely important hot spots for hydrocarbon oxidation in the ocean. IMPORTANCE Vast quantities of oil-associated marine snow (MOS) formed in the water column as part of the natural biological response to the Deepwater Horizon drilling accident. Despite the scale of the event, uncertainty remains about the mechanisms controlling MOS formation and its impact on the environment. In addition to MOS, we observed micrometer-scale (10- to 150-μm) aggregates whose abundance coincided with maximum rates of hydrocarbon degradation and whose composition was dominated by hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria with the genetic potential to metabolize a range of these compounds. This targeted study examining the role of these bacteria-oil microaggregates in hydrocarbon degradation reveals details of this fundamental component of the biological response to oil spills, and with it, alterations to biogeochemical cycling in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Achberger
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Shawn M. Doyle
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Makeda I. Mills
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Charles P. Holmes
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University-Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jason B. Sylvan
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
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Kamalanathan M, Schwehr KA, Labonté JM, Taylor C, Bergen C, Patterson N, Claflin N, Santschi PH, Quigg A. The Interplay of Phototrophic and Heterotrophic Microbes Under Oil Exposure: A Microcosm Study. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:675328. [PMID: 34408728 PMCID: PMC8366316 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.675328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial interactions influence nearly one-half of the global biogeochemical flux of major elements of the marine ecosystem. Despite their ecological importance, microbial interactions remain poorly understood and even less is known regarding the effects of anthropogenic perturbations on these microbial interactions. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill exposed the Gulf of Mexico to ∼4.9 million barrels of crude oil over 87 days. We determined the effects of oil exposure on microbial interactions using short- and long-term microcosm experiments with and without Macondo surrogate oil. Microbial activity determined using radiotracers revealed that oil exposure negatively affected substrate uptake by prokaryotes within 8 h and by eukaryotes over 72 h. Eukaryotic uptake of heterotrophic exopolymeric substances (EPS) was more severely affected than prokaryotic uptake of phototrophic EPS. In addition, our long-term exposure study showed severe effects on photosynthetic activity. Lastly, changes in microbial relative abundances and fewer co-occurrences among microbial species were mostly driven by photosynthetic activity, treatment (control vs. oil), and prokaryotic heterotrophic metabolism. Overall, oil exposure affected microbial co-occurrence and/or interactions possibly by direct reduction in abundance of one of the interacting community members and/or indirect by reduction in metabolism (substrate uptake or photosynthesis) of interacting members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kamalanathan
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kathleen A Schwehr
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Jessica M Labonté
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Christian Taylor
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Charles Bergen
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Nicole Patterson
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Noah Claflin
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Peter H Santschi
- Department of Marine and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States.,Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Antonietta Quigg
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States.,Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
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From Nano-Gels to Marine Snow: A Synthesis of Gel Formation Processes and Modeling Efforts Involved with Particle Flux in the Ocean. Gels 2021; 7:gels7030114. [PMID: 34449609 PMCID: PMC8395865 DOI: 10.3390/gels7030114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine gels (nano-, micro-, macro-) and marine snow play important roles in regulating global and basin-scale ocean biogeochemical cycling. Exopolymeric substances (EPS) including transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) that form from nano-gel precursors are abundant materials in the ocean, accounting for an estimated 700 Gt of carbon in seawater. This supports local microbial communities that play a critical role in the cycling of carbon and other macro- and micro-elements in the ocean. Recent studies have furthered our understanding of the formation and properties of these materials, but the relationship between the microbial polymers released into the ocean and marine snow remains unclear. Recent studies suggest developing a (relatively) simple model that is tractable and related to the available data will enable us to step forward into new research by following marine snow formation under different conditions. In this review, we synthesize the chemical and physical processes. We emphasize where these connections may lead to a predictive, mechanistic understanding of the role of gels in marine snow formation and the biogeochemical functioning of the ocean.
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Quigg A, Parsons M, Bargu S, Ozhan K, Daly KL, Chakraborty S, Kamalanathan M, Erdner D, Cosgrove S, Buskey EJ. Marine phytoplankton responses to oil and dispersant exposures: Knowledge gained since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 164:112074. [PMID: 33540275 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 brought the ecology and health of the Gulf of Mexico to the forefront of the public's and scientific community's attention. Not only did we need a better understanding of how this oil spill impacted the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, but we also needed to apply this knowledge to help assess impacts from perturbations in the region and guide future response actions. Phytoplankton represent the base of the food web in oceanic systems. As such, alterations of the phytoplankton community propagate to upper trophic levels. This review brings together new insights into the influence of oil and dispersant on phytoplankton. We bring together laboratory, mesocosm and field experiments, including insights into novel observations of harmful algal bloom (HAB) forming species and zooplankton as well as bacteria-phytoplankton interactions. We finish by addressing knowledge gaps and highlighting key topics for research in novel areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Quigg
- Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA.
| | - Michael Parsons
- Florida Gulf Coast University, 10501 FGCU Blvd South, Fort Myers, FL 33965, USA.
| | - Sibel Bargu
- Louisiana State University, 1235 Energy, Coast & Environment Building, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
| | - Koray Ozhan
- Middle East Technical University, P.O. Box 28, 33731 Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey.
| | - Kendra L Daly
- University of South Florida, 140 Seventh Ave S., St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA.
| | - Sumit Chakraborty
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
| | - Manoj Kamalanathan
- Texas A&M University at Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX 77553, USA.
| | - Deana Erdner
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA.
| | - Sarah Cosgrove
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA.
| | - Edward J Buskey
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, USA.
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