Seasonal change of bacterial community structure in a biofilm formed on the surface of the aquatic macrophyte Phragmites australis

The response of nitrogen cycling and bacterial communities to E. coli invasion in aquatic environments with submerged vegetation

The effects of exogenous Escherichia coli on nitrogen cycling (N-cycling) in freshwater remains unclear. Thus, seven ecosystems, six with submerged plants-Potamogeton crispus (PC) and Myriophyllum aquaticum (MA)-and one with no plants were set up. Habitats were assessed before and after E. coli addition (10⁷ colony-forming units/mL). E. coli colonization of freshwater ecosystems had significant effects on bacterial community structure in plant surface biofilms and surface sediments (ANOVA, P < 0.05). It reduced the relative abundance of nitrosification bacteria (-70.94 ± 26.17%) and nitrifiers (-47.86 ± 23.68%) in biofilms which lead to significant reduction of ammoxidation in water (P < 0.05). The N-cycling intensity from PC systems was affected more strongly by E. coli than were MA systems. Furthermore, the coupling coefficient of exogenous E. coli to indigenous N-cycling bacteria in sediments (6.061, average connectivity degree) was significantly weaker than that in biofilms (9.852). Additionally, at the genus level, E. coli were most-closely associated with N-cycling bacteria such as Prosthecobacter, Hydrogenophaga, and Bacillus in sediments and biofilms according to co-occurrence bacterial network (Spearman). E. coli directly changed their abundance, so that the variability of species composition of N-cycling bacterial taxa was triggered, as well. Overall, exogenous E. coli repressed ammoxidation, but promoted ammonification and denitrification. Our results provided new insights into how pathogens influence the nitrogen cycle in freshwater ecosystems.

A comparative hierarchical analysis of bacterioplankton and biofilm metacommunity structure in an interconnected pond system

It is unknown whether bacterioplankton and biofilm communities are structured by the same ecological processes, and whether they influence each other through continuous dispersal (known as mass effects). Using a hierarchical sampling approach we compared the relative importance of ecological processes structuring the dominant fraction (relative abundance ≥0.1%) of bacterioplankton and biofilm communities from three microhabitats (open water, Nuphar and Phragmites sites) at within- and among-pond scale in a set of 14 interconnected shallow ponds. Our results demonstrate that while bacterioplankton and biofilm communities are highly distinct, a similar hierarchy of ecological processes is acting on them. For both community types, most variation in community composition was determined by pond identity and environmental variables, with no effect of space. The highest β-diversity within each community type was observed among ponds, while microhabitat type (Nuphar, Phragmites, open water) significantly influenced biofilm communities but not bacterioplankton. Mass effects among bacterioplankton and biofilm communities were not detected, as suggested by the absence of within-site covariation of biofilm and bacterioplankton communities. Both biofilm and plankton communities were thus highly structured by environmental factors (i.e., species sorting), with among-lake variation being more important than within-lake variation, whereas dispersal limitation and mass effects were not observed.

Analysis of Dissolved Organic Nutrients in the Interstitial Water of Natural Biofilms

In biofilms, the matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) retains water in the interstitial region of the EPS. This interstitial water is the ambient environment for microorganisms in the biofilms. The nutrient condition in the interstitial water may affect microbial activity in the biofilms. In the present study, we measured the concentrations of dissolved organic nutrients, i.e., saccharides and proteins, contained in the interstitial water of biofilms formed on the stones. We also analyzed the molecular weight distribution, chemical species, and availability to bacteria of some saccharides in the interstitial water. Colorimetric assays showed that the concentrations of saccharides and proteins in the biofilm interstitial water were significantly higher (ca. 750 times) than those in the surrounding lake waters (p < 0.05). Chromatographic analyses demonstrated that the saccharides in the interstitial waters were mainly of low molecular-weight saccharides such as glucose and maltose, while proteins in the interstitial water were high molecular-weight proteins (over 7000 Da). Bacterial growth and production of EPS occurred simultaneously with the decrease in the low molecular-weight saccharide concentrations when a small portion of biofilm suspension was inoculated to the collected interstitial water, suggesting that the dissolved saccharides in the interstitial water support bacterial growth and formation of biofilms.

Interspecies interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other microorganisms

Microbes interact with each other in multicellular communities and this interaction enables certain microorganisms to survive in various environments. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly adaptable bacterium that ubiquitously inhabits diverse environments including soil, marine habitats, plants and animals. Behind this adaptivity, P. aeruginosa has abilities not only to outcompete others but also to communicate with each other to develop a multispecies community. In this review, we focus on how P. aeruginosa interacts with other microorganisms. P. aeruginosa secretes antimicrobial chemicals to compete and signal molecules to cooperate with other organisms. In other cases, it directly conveys antimicrobial enzymes to other bacteria using the Type VI secretion system (T6SS) or membrane vesicles (MVs). Quorum sensing is a central regulatory system used to exert their ability including antimicrobial effects and cooperation with other microbes. At least three quorum sensing systems are found in P. aeruginosa, Las, Rhl and Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) systems. These quorum-sensing systems control the synthesis of extracellular antimicrobial chemicals as well as interaction with other organisms via T6SS or MVs. In addition, we explain the potential of microbial interaction analysis using several micro devices, which would bring fresh sensitivity to the study of interspecies interaction between P. aeruginosa and other organisms.

Analysis of the ion adsorption-desorption characteristics of biofilm matrices

The characteristics of biofilm polymers formed on stone surfaces in Lake Biwa and ion adsorption and desorption to and from these biofilms were investigated. The results indicated that both positively and negatively charged sites exist in the biofilm polymer. A physicochemical interaction between these sites and ions in the surrounding water seems to promote the adsorption of ions to the biofilm through an attractive electrostatic interaction and an ion-exchange mechanism. The results also indicated that, in comparison with ion-exchange resins, ions were more loosely bound to and desorbed more easily from the biofilm polymer. This suggests that microbes in the biofilm can readily use these ions as nutrient ions. Our present findings indicate that the biofilm may play an important role in supplying nutrient ions to microbes in the biofilm and in the development of a nutrient-rich environment within the biofilm through both ion adsorption and desorption. This study shows for the first time that the inside of a biofilm can be a sustainable environment for microbes.

Community structure and in situ activity of nitrifying bacteria in Phragmites root-associated biofilms

The amount of oxygen released by Phragmites roots and the community structure and in situ activity of nitrifying bacteria in the root biofilms were analyzed by the combined use of 16S rRNA gene-cloning analysis, quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay and microelectrodes. Axial and radial O₂ microprofiles were obtained for individual roots of Phragmites in a horizontal flow reactor fed with artificial medium continuously. Axial O₂ profiles revealed that O₂ was released at a rate of 0.21 μmol O₂ cm⁻² (root surface area) h⁻¹ only in the apical region (up to ca. 40 mm from the root apex), where there was a high abundance (10⁷ to 10⁸ copies g⁻¹ biomass) of Nitrosomonas-like AOB and Nitrospira-like NOB. This abundance, however, sharply declined to the detection limit at positions more basal than 80 mm. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene identified strains related to Nitrosomonas oligotropha and Nitrosomonas cryotolerans as the predominant AOB and strains related to Nitrospira marina and Nitrospira moscoviensis as the predominant NOB in the root biofilms. Based on radial O₂ microprofiles, the oxic region only extended about 0.5 mm into the surrounding sediment due to a high rate of O₂ consumption in the rhizosphere. The net NH₄⁺ and O₂ consumption rates in the apical region were higher than those determined at the oxic sediment surface in which the abundance of AOB and NOB was one order of magnitude lower than in the rhizosphere. These results clearly indicated that Phragmites root biofilms played an important role in nitrification in the waterlogged anoxic sediment.