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Litti Y, Elcheninov A, Botchkova E, Chernyh N, Merkel A, Vishnyakova A, Popova N, Zhang Y, Safonov A. Metagenomic evidence of a novel anammox community in a cold aquifer with high nitrogen pollution. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 365:121629. [PMID: 38944958 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121629] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
The process of anaerobic ammonium oxidation by nitrite (anammox) is a globally essential part of N cycle. To date, 8 Candidatus genera and more than 22 species of anammox bacteria have been discovered in various anthropogenic and natural habitats, including nitrogen-polluted aquifers. In this work, anammox bacteria were detected for the first time in the groundwater ecosystem with high anthropogenic nitrogen pollution (up to 1760 mg NO3--N/L and 280 mg NH4+-N/L) and low year-round temperature (7-8 °C) in the zone of a uranium sludge repository. Further metagenomic analysis resulted in retrieval of metagenome-assembled genomes of 4 distinct anammox bacteria: a new genus named Ca. Frigussubterria, new species in Ca. Kuenenia, and two strains of a new species in Ca. Scalindua. Analysis of the genomes revealed essential genes involved in anammox metabolism. Both strains of Ca. Scalindua chemeplantae had a high copy number of genes encoding the cold shock proteins CspA/B, which can also function as an antifreeze protein (CspB). Ca. Kuenenia glazoviensis and Ca. Frigussubterria udmurtiae were abundant in less N-polluted site, while Ca. Scalindua chemeplantae inhabited both sites. Genes for urea utilization, reduction of insoluble Fe2O3 or MnO2, assimilatory sulfate reduction, reactive oxygen detoxification, nitrate reduction to ammonium, and putatively arsenate respiration were found. These findings enrich knowledge of the functional and phylogenetic diversity of anammox bacteria and improve understanding of the nitrogen cycle in polluted aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy Litti
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 60 let Oktjabrja pr-t, 7, bld. 2, 117312, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Elcheninov
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 60 let Oktjabrja pr-t, 7, bld. 2, 117312, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Ekaterina Botchkova
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 60 let Oktjabrja pr-t, 7, bld. 2, 117312, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Nikolay Chernyh
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 60 let Oktjabrja pr-t, 7, bld. 2, 117312, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Merkel
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 60 let Oktjabrja pr-t, 7, bld. 2, 117312, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Anastasia Vishnyakova
- Federal Research Centre "Fundamentals of Biotechnology" of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 60 let Oktjabrja pr-t, 7, bld. 2, 117312, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Nadezhda Popova
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry RAS, 31, bld.4, Leninsky Prospect, 119071, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Yaobin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Dalian University of Technology), Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
| | - Alexey Safonov
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry RAS, 31, bld.4, Leninsky Prospect, 119071, Moscow, Russia.
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Visser AN, Martin JD, Osenbrück K, Rügner H, Grathwohl P, Kappler A. In situ incubation of iron(II)-bearing minerals and Fe(0) reveals insights into metabolic flexibility of chemolithotrophic bacteria in a nitrate polluted karst aquifer. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:172062. [PMID: 38554974 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172062] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Groundwater nitrate pollution is a major reason for deteriorating water quality and threatens human and animal health. Yet, mitigating groundwater contamination naturally is often complicated since most aquifers are limited in bioavailable carbon. Since metabolically flexible microbes might have advantages for survival, this study presents a detailed description and first results on our modification of the BacTrap© method, aiming to determine the prevailing microbial community's potential to utilize chemolithotrophic pathways. Our microbial trapping devices (MTDs) were amended with four different iron sources and incubated in seven groundwater monitoring wells for ∼3 months to promote growth of nitrate-reducing Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (NRFeOxB) in a nitrate-contaminated karst aquifer. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences implies that the identity of the iron source influenced the microbial community's composition. In addition, high throughput amplicon sequencing revealed increased relative 16S rRNA gene abundances of OTUs affiliated to genera such as Thiobacillus, Rhodobacter, Pseudomonas, Albidiferax, and Sideroxydans. MTD-derived enrichments set up with Fe(II)/nitrate/acetate to isolate potential NRFeOxB, were dominated by e.g., Acidovorax spp., Paracoccus spp. and Propionivibrio spp. MTDs are a cost-effective approach for investigating microorganisms in groundwater and our data not only solidifies the MTD's capacity to provide insights into the metabolic flexibility of the aquifer's microbial community, but also substantiates its metabolic potential for anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Neva Visser
- GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany; Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Joseph D Martin
- Department of Biology, Terrestrial Ecology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karsten Osenbrück
- Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Germany; Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Hannover, Germany
| | - Hermann Rügner
- Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Germany
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3
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Babich TL, Popova NM, Sokolova DS, Perepelov AV, Safonov AV, Nazina TN. Microbial and Monosaccharide Composition of Biofilms Developing on Sandy Loams from an Aquifer Contaminated with Liquid Radioactive Waste. Microorganisms 2024; 12:275. [PMID: 38399679 PMCID: PMC10892373 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12020275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of microbial biofilms increases the survival of microorganisms in the extreme conditions of ecosystems contaminated with components of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) and may contribute to the successful bioremediation of groundwater. The purpose of this work was to compare the composition of the microorganisms and the exopolysaccharide matrix of the biofilms formed on sandy loams collected at the aquifer from a clean zone and from a zone with nitrate and radionuclide contamination. The aquifer is polluted from the nearby surface repository for liquid radioactive waste (Russia). The phylogenetic diversity of prokaryotes forming biofilms on the sandy loams' surface was determined during 100 days using high-throughput sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA genes. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the development of microbial biofilms on the sandy loams. The ratio of proteins and carbohydrates in the biofilms changed in the course of their development, and the diversity of monosaccharides decreased, depending on the contamination of the sites from which the rocks were selected. The presence of pollution affects biofilm formation and EPS composition along with the dominant taxa of microorganisms and their activity. Biofilms establish a concentration gradient of the pollutant and allow the microorganisms involved to effectively participate in the reduction of nitrate and sulfate; they decrease the risk of nitrite accumulation during denitrification and suppress the migration of radionuclides. These biofilms can serve as an important barrier in underground water sources, preventing the spread of pollution. Pure cultures of microorganisms capable of forming a polysaccharide matrix and reducing nitrate, chromate, uranyl, and pertechnetate ions were isolated from the biofilms, which confirmed the possibility of their participation in the bioremediation of the aquifer from nonradioactive waste components and the decrease in the radionuclides' migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara L. Babich
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia; (T.L.B.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Nadezhda M. Popova
- A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia; (N.M.P.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Diyana S. Sokolova
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia; (T.L.B.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Andrei V. Perepelov
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119991, Russia;
| | - Alexey V. Safonov
- A.N. Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia; (N.M.P.); (A.V.S.)
| | - Tamara N. Nazina
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia; (T.L.B.); (D.S.S.)
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Osburn MR, Selensky MJ, Beddows PA, Jacobson A, DeFranco K, Merediz-Alonso G. Microbial biogeography of the eastern Yucatán carbonate aquifer. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0168223. [PMID: 37916826 PMCID: PMC10701671 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01682-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The extensive Yucatán carbonate aquifer, located primarily in southeastern Mexico, is pockmarked by numerous sinkholes (cenotes) that lead to a complex web of underwater caves. The aquifer hosts a diverse yet understudied microbiome throughout its highly stratified water column, which is marked by a meteoric lens floating on intruding seawater owing to the coastal proximity and high permeability of the Yucatán carbonate platform. Here, we present a biogeographic survey of bacterial and archaeal communities from the eastern Yucatán aquifer. We apply a novel network analysis software that models ecological niche space from microbial taxonomic abundance data. Our analysis reveals that the aquifer community is composed of several distinct niches that follow broader regional and hydrological patterns. This work lays the groundwork for future investigations to characterize the biogeochemical potential of the entire aquifer with other systems biology approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena R. Osburn
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Matthew J. Selensky
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Patricia A. Beddows
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew Jacobson
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Karyn DeFranco
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Gonzalo Merediz-Alonso
- Amigos de Sian Ka'an, and Consejo de Cuenca de la Península de Yucatán, Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Wegner CE, Stahl R, Velsko I, Hübner A, Fagernäs Z, Warinner C, Lehmann R, Ritschel T, Totsche KU, Küsel K. A glimpse of the paleome in endolithic microbial communities. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:210. [PMID: 37749660 PMCID: PMC10518947 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01647-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The terrestrial subsurface is home to a significant proportion of the Earth's microbial biomass. Our understanding about terrestrial subsurface microbiomes is almost exclusively derived from groundwater and porous sediments mainly by using 16S rRNA gene surveys. To obtain more insights about biomass of consolidated rocks and the metabolic status of endolithic microbiomes, we investigated interbedded limestone and mudstone from the vadose zone, fractured aquifers, and deep aquitards. RESULTS By adapting methods from microbial archaeology and paleogenomics, we could recover sufficient DNA for downstream metagenomic analysis from seven rock specimens independent of porosity, lithology, and depth. Based on the extracted DNA, we estimated between 2.81 and 4.25 × 105 cells × g-1 rock. Analyzing DNA damage patterns revealed paleome signatures (genetic records of past microbial communities) for three rock specimens, all obtained from the vadose zone. DNA obtained from deep aquitards isolated from surface input was not affected by DNA decay indicating that water saturation and not flow is controlling subsurface microbial survival. Decoding the taxonomy and functional potential of paleome communities revealed increased abundances for sequences affiliated with chemolithoautotrophs and taxa such as Cand. Rokubacteria. We also found a broader metabolic potential in terms of aromatic hydrocarbon breakdown, suggesting a preferred utilization of sedimentary organic matter in the past. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that limestones function as archives for genetic records of past microbial communities including those sensitive to environmental stress at modern times, due to their specific conditions facilitating long-term DNA preservation. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl-Eric Wegner
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 159, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Raphaela Stahl
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Irina Velsko
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alex Hübner
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zandra Fagernäs
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christina Warinner
- Department of Archaeogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 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, Jena, Germany
- Hydrogeology, Institute of Geosciences, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Burgweg 11, 07749, Jena, Germany
| | - Kirsten Küsel
- Aquatic Geomicrobiology, Institute of Biodiversity, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 159, 07743, Jena, Germany.
- Cluster of Excellence Balance of the Microverse, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstraße 4, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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6
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Wray AC, Gorman-Lewis D. Bioenergetics of aerobic and anaerobic growth of Shewanella putrefaciens CN32. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1234598. [PMID: 37601367 PMCID: PMC10433392 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1234598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Shewanella putrefaciens is a model dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium that can use Fe(III) and O2 as terminal electron acceptors. Consequently, it has the ability to influence both aerobic and anaerobic groundwater systems, making it an ideal microorganism for improving our understanding of facultative anaerobes with iron-based metabolism. In this work, we examine the bioenergetics of O2 and Fe(III) reduction coupled to lactate oxidation in Shewanella putrefaciens CN32. Bioenergetics were measured directly via isothermal calorimetry and by changes to the chemically defined growth medium. We performed these measurements from 25 to 36°C. Modeling metabolism with macrochemical equations allowed us to define a theoretical growth stoichiometry for the catabolic reaction of 1.00 O2:lactate and 1.33 Fe(III):lactate that was consistent with the observed ratios of O2:lactate (1.20 ± 0.23) and Fe(III):lactate (1.46 ± 0.15) consumption. Aerobic growth showed minimal variation with temperature and minimal variation in thermodynamic potentials of incubation. Fe(III)-based growth showed a strong temperature dependence. The Gibbs energy and enthalpy of incubation was minimized at ≥30°C. Energy partitioning modeling of Fe(III)-based calorimetric incubation data predicted that energy consumption for non-growth associate maintenance increases substantially above 30°C. This prediction agrees with the data at 33 and 35°C. These results suggest that the effects of temperature on Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 are metabolism dependent. Gibbs energy of incubation above 30°C was 3-5 times more exergonic with Fe(III)-based growth than with aerobic growth. We compared data gathered in this study with predictions of microbial growth based on standard-state conditions and based on the thermodynamic efficiency of microbial growth. Quantifying the growth requirements of Shewanella putrefaciens CN32 has advanced our understanding of the thermodynamic constraints of this dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addien C. Wray
- Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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7
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Severe E, Errigo IM, Proteau M, Sayedi SS, Kolbe T, Marçais J, Thomas Z, Petton C, Rouault F, Vautier C, de Dreuzy JR, Moatar F, Aquilina L, Wood RL, LaBasque T, Lécuyer C, Pinay G, Abbott BW. Deep denitrification: Stream and groundwater biogeochemistry reveal contrasted but connected worlds above and below. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163178. [PMID: 37023812 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Excess nutrients from agricultural and urban development have created a cascade of ecological crises around the globe. Nutrient pollution has triggered eutrophication in most freshwater and coastal ecosystems, contributing to a loss in biodiversity, harm to human health, and trillions in economic damage every year. Much of the research conducted on nutrient transport and retention has focused on surface environments, which are both easy to access and biologically active. However, surface characteristics of watersheds, such as land use and network configuration, often do not explain the variation in nutrient retention observed in rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Recent research suggests subsurface processes and characteristics may be more important than previously thought in determining watershed-level nutrient fluxes and removal. In a small watershed in western France, we used a multi-tracer approach to compare surface and subsurface nitrate dynamics at commensurate spatiotemporal scales. We combined 3-D hydrological modeling with a rich biogeochemical dataset from 20 wells and 15 stream locations. Water chemistry in the surface and subsurface showed high temporal variability, but groundwater was substantially more spatially variable, attributable to long transport times (10-60 years) and patchy distribution of the iron and sulfur electron donors fueling autotrophic denitrification. Isotopes of nitrate and sulfate revealed fundamentally different processes dominating the surface (heterotrophic denitrification and sulfate reduction) and subsurface (autotrophic denitrification and sulfate production). Agricultural land use was associated with elevated nitrate in surface water, but subsurface nitrate concentration was decoupled from land use. Dissolved silica and sulfate are affordable tracers of residence time and nitrogen removal that are relatively stable in surface and subsurface environments. Together, these findings reveal distinct but adjacent and connected biogeochemical worlds in the surface and subsurface. Characterizing how these worlds are linked and decoupled is critical to meeting water quality targets and addressing water issues in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilee Severe
- Lancaster Environmental Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK; Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Isabella M Errigo
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA; Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencas Aplicadas, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Mary Proteau
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Sayedeh Sara Sayedi
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Tamara Kolbe
- Section of Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry, Institute of Geology, Faculty of Geoscience, Geoengineering and Mining, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany
| | - Jean Marçais
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAe), RiverLy, Centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, 69625 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Zahra Thomas
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAe), Sol Agro et Hydrosystème Spatialisation, UMR 1069, Agrocampus Ouest, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Christophe Petton
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - François Rouault
- Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (INRAe), Sol Agro et Hydrosystème Spatialisation, UMR 1069, Agrocampus Ouest, 35042 Rennes, France
| | - Camille Vautier
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Jean-Raynald de Dreuzy
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France; Univ Rennes, CNRS, OSUR (Observatoire des sciences de l'univers de Rennes), UMS 3343, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Florentina Moatar
- RiverLy, INRAE, Centre de Lyon-Grenoble Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Lyon, France
| | - Luc Aquilina
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Rachel L Wood
- Department of Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Thierry LaBasque
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France
| | | | - Gilles Pinay
- Environnement, Ville & Société (EVS UMR5600), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Lyon, France
| | - Benjamin W Abbott
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA.
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Xiong R, Li Y, Gao X, Li N, Lou R, Saeed L, Huang J. Effects of a long-term operation wetland for wastewater treatment on the spatial pattern and function of microbial communities in groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 228:115929. [PMID: 37072080 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Constructed wetlands have been used globally for wastewater treatment owing to low energy inputs and operating costs. However, the impact of their long-term operation on groundwater microbial communities is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects and further reveal the linkage between a large-scale surface flow constructed wetland (in operation for 14 years) and groundwater. Changes in the characteristics of groundwater microbial communities and their potential influencing factors were studied based on hydrochemical analysis, Illumina MiSeq sequencing, and multivariate statistical analysis methods. Results show that the long-term operation wetland significantly elevated groundwater nutrient levels and increased the risk of ammonia nitrogen pollution compared to background values. An apparent heterogeneity of microbial communities exhibited in the vertical direction and a similarity in the horizontal direction. Wetland operations substantially altered the structure of microbial communities at 3, 5, and 12 m depths, particularly a reduced abundance of denitrifying and chemoheterotrophic functional genera. The formation and evolution of groundwater microbial community structure mainly subjected to the contributions of dissolved oxygen (33.70%), total nitrogen (21.40%), dissolved organic carbon (11.09%), and pH (10.60%) variations resulted from the wetland operation and largely differed in depths. A combined effect of these factors on the groundwater should be concerned for such a long-term running wetland system. This study provides a new insight into the responses of groundwater microbial community structure driving by wetland operation and a better understanding of corresponding variation of microbial-based geochemical processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongwei Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Yong Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China; National Engineering Research Center of Water Resources Efficient Utilization and Engineering Safety, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
| | - Xiufang Gao
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, PR China; Engineering Research Center of Ecology and Agricultural Use of Wetland, Ministry of Education, Jingzhou, 434025, PR China
| | - Na Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Ruitao Lou
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Laraib Saeed
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China
| | - Jinquan Huang
- Department of Soil and Water Conservation, Yangtze River Scientific Research Institute, Wuhan, 430010, PR China
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9
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Watson SJ, Arisdakessian C, Petelo M, Keliipuleole K, Tachera DK, Okuhata BK, Dulai H, Frank KL. Geology and land use shape nitrogen and sulfur cycling groundwater microbial communities in Pacific Island aquifers. ISME COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:58. [PMID: 37286627 PMCID: PMC10247779 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-023-00261-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Resource-constrained island populations have thrived in Hawai'i for over a millennium, but now face aggressive new challenges to fundamental resources, including the security and sustainability of water resources. Characterizing the microbial community in groundwater ecosystems is a powerful approach to infer changes from human impacts due to land management in hydrogeological complex aquifers. In this study, we investigate how geology and land management influence geochemistry, microbial diversity and metabolic functions. We sampled a total of 19 wells over 2-years across the Hualālai watershed of Kona, Hawai'i analyzing geochemistry, and microbial communities by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Geochemical analysis revealed significantly higher sulfate along the northwest volcanic rift zone, and high nitrogen (N) correlated with high on-site sewage disposal systems (OSDS) density. A total of 12,973 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASV) were identified in 220 samples, including 865 ASVs classified as putative N and sulfur (S) cyclers. The N and S cyclers were dominated by a putative S-oxidizer coupled to complete denitrification (Acinetobacter), significantly enriched up to 4-times comparatively amongst samples grouped by geochemistry. The significant presence of Acinetobacter infers the bioremediation potential of volcanic groundwater for microbial-driven coupled S-oxidation and denitrification providing an ecosystem service for island populations dependent upon groundwater aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheree J Watson
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Cédric Arisdakessian
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Maria Petelo
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Kekuʻiapōiula Keliipuleole
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Marine Biology Graduate Program, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Diamond K Tachera
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Department of Earth Sciences, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Brytne K Okuhata
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Department of Earth Sciences, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Henrietta Dulai
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Department of Earth Sciences, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Kiana L Frank
- University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
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10
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Lee RM, Griffin N, Jones E, Abbott BW, Frei RJ, Bratsman S, Proteau M, Errigo IM, Shogren A, Bowden WB, Zarnetske JP, Aanderud ZT. Bacterioplankton dispersal and biogeochemical function across Alaskan Arctic catchments. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:5690-5706. [PMID: 36273269 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In Arctic catchments, bacterioplankton are dispersed through soils and streams, both of which freeze and thaw/flow in phase, seasonally. To characterize this dispersal and its potential impact on biogeochemistry, we collected bacterioplankton and measured stream physicochemistry during snowmelt and after vegetation senescence across multiple stream orders in alpine, tundra, and tundra-dominated-by-lakes catchments. In all catchments, differences in community composition were associated with seasonal thaw, then attachment status (i.e. free floating or sediment associated), and then stream order. Bacterioplankton taxonomic diversity and richness were elevated in sediment-associated fractions and in higher-order reaches during snowmelt. Families Chthonomonadaceae, Pyrinomonadaceae, and Xiphinematobacteraceae were abundantly different across seasons, while Flavobacteriaceae and Microscillaceae were abundantly different between free-floating and sediment-associated fractions. Physicochemical data suggested there was high iron (Fe+ ) production (alpine catchment); Fe+ production and chloride (Cl- ) removal (tundra catchment); and phosphorus (SRP) removal and ammonium (NH4 + ) production (lake catchment). In tundra landscapes, these 'hot spots' of Fe+ production and Cl- removal accompanied shifts in species richness, while SRP promoted the antecedent community. Our findings suggest that freshet increases bacterial dispersal from headwater catchments to receiving catchments, where bacterioplankton-mineral relations stabilized communities in free-flowing reaches, but bacterioplankton-nutrient relations stabilized those punctuated by lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond M Lee
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Natasha Griffin
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvalis, Oregon, USA
| | - Erin Jones
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Benjamin W Abbott
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Rebecca J Frei
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Samuel Bratsman
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Mary Proteau
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Isabella M Errigo
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Arial Shogren
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - William B Bowden
- The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Jay P Zarnetske
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Zachary T Aanderud
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
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11
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Zhang L, Xu Z, Sun Y, Gao Y, Zhu L. Coal Mining Activities Driving the Changes in Microbial Community and Hydrochemical Characteristics of Underground Mine Water. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13359. [PMID: 36293941 PMCID: PMC9603172 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Coal mining can cause groundwater pollution, and microorganism may reflect/affect its hydrochemical characteristics, yet little is known about the microorganism's distribution characteristics and its influence on the formation and evolution of mine water quality in underground coal mines. Here, we investigated the hydrochemical characteristics and microbial communities of six typical zones in a typical North China coalfield. The results showed that hydrochemical compositions and microbial communities of the water samples displayed apparent zone-specific patterns. The microbial community diversity of the six zones followed the order of surface waters > coal roadways > water sumps ≈ rock roadways ≈ goafs > groundwater aquifers. The microbial communities corresponded to the redox sensitive indices' levels. Coal roadways and goafs were the critical zones of groundwater pollution prevention and control. During tunneling in the panel, pyrite was oxidized by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria leading to SO42- increase. With the closure of the panel and formation of the goaf, SO42- increased rapidly for a short period. However, with the time since goaf closure, sulfate-reducing bacteria (e.g., c_Thermodesulfovibrionia, Desulfobacterium_catecholicum, etc.) proportion increased significantly, leading to SO42- concentration's decrease by 42% over 12 years, indicating the long-term closed goafs had a certain self-purification ability. These findings would benefit mine water pollution prevention and control by district.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Zhimin Xu
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
- Fundamental Research Laboratory for Mine Water Hazards Prevention and Controlling Technology, Xuzhou 221006, China
| | - Yajun Sun
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
- Fundamental Research Laboratory for Mine Water Hazards Prevention and Controlling Technology, Xuzhou 221006, China
| | - Yating Gao
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Lulu Zhu
- School of Resources and Geosciences, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
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12
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Geological activity shapes the microbiome in deep-subsurface aquifers by advection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2113985119. [PMID: 35696589 PMCID: PMC9231496 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2113985119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sheltered from radiation and asteroid strikes in Earth’s early history and home to a significant portion of today’s prokaryotic biomass, the deep subsurface could hold keys to understanding the early and continuing evolution of life. However, the processes that shape the distribution of subsurface microbial communities remain poorly understood due to sample inaccessibility. Here, at a deep-underground fractured hard-rock aquifer, we show that fracture activity leads to altered groundwater flow that drives profound changes in fluid-associated microbial communities by physical transport instead of environmental selection. We thereby identify advection induced by geological activity (a notable trigger for fracture activity) as a prominent yet overlooked mechanism shaping subsurface biogeography with potentially profound implications for life’s evolutionary history. Subsurface environments host diverse microorganisms in fluid-filled fractures; however, little is known about how geological and hydrological processes shape the subterranean biosphere. Here, we sampled three flowing boreholes weekly for 10 mo in a 1478-m-deep fractured rock aquifer to study the role of fracture activity (defined as seismically or aseismically induced fracture aperture change) and advection on fluid-associated microbial community composition. We found that despite a largely stable deep-subsurface fluid microbiome, drastic community-level shifts occurred after events signifying physical changes in the permeable fracture network. The community-level shifts include the emergence of microbial families from undetected to over 50% relative abundance, as well as the replacement of the community in one borehole by the earlier community from a different borehole. Null-model analysis indicates that the observed spatial and temporal community turnover was primarily driven by stochastic processes (as opposed to deterministic processes). We, therefore, conclude that the observed community-level shifts resulted from the physical transport of distinct microbial communities from other fracture(s) that outpaced environmental selection. Given that geological activity is a major cause of fracture activity and that geological activity is ubiquitous across space and time on Earth, our findings suggest that advection induced by geological activity is a general mechanism shaping the microbial biogeography and diversity in deep-subsurface habitats across the globe.
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13
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Nicholls HCG, Rolfe SA, Mallinson HEH, Hjort M, Spence MJ, Bonte M, Thornton SF. Distribution of ETBE-degrading microorganisms and functional capability in groundwater, and implications for characterising aquifer ETBE biodegradation potential. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:1223-1238. [PMID: 34350568 PMCID: PMC8724112 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15606-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microbes in aquifers are present suspended in groundwater or attached to the aquifer sediment. Groundwater is often sampled at gasoline ether oxygenate (GEO)-impacted sites to assess the potential biodegradation of organic constituents. However, the distribution of GEO-degrading microorganisms between the groundwater and aquifer sediment must be understood to interpret this potential. In this study, the distribution of ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE)-degrading organisms and ETBE biodegradation potential was investigated in laboratory microcosm studies and mixed groundwater-aquifer sediment samples obtained from pumped monitoring wells at ETBE-impacted sites. ETBE biodegradation potential (as determined by quantification of the ethB gene) was detected predominantly in the attached microbial communities and was below detection limit in the groundwater communities. The copy number of ethB genes varied with borehole purge volume at the field sites. Members of the Comamonadaceae and Gammaproteobacteria families were identified as responders for ETBE biodegradation. However, the detection of the ethB gene is a more appropriate function-based indicator of ETBE biodegradation potential than taxonomic analysis of the microbial community. The study shows that a mixed groundwater-aquifer sediment (slurry) sample collected from monitoring wells after minimal purging can be used to assess the aquifer ETBE biodegradation potential at ETBE-release sites using this function-based concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry C G Nicholls
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK
| | - Stephen A Rolfe
- Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, Sheffield, UK
| | - Helen E H Mallinson
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK
| | - Markus Hjort
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michael J Spence
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
- British Geological Survey, Environmental Science Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG, UK
| | - Matthijs Bonte
- Concawe, Boulevard du Souverain 165, 1160, Brussels, Belgium
- Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Rijswijk, 2288GK, The Netherlands
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Steven F Thornton
- Groundwater Protection and Restoration Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, University of Sheffield, S1 3JD, Sheffield, UK.
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14
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Bacteriome composition analysis of selected mineral water occurrences in Serbia. ARCH BIOL SCI 2022. [DOI: 10.2298/abs211223005s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial metabarcoding analysis by 16S rDNA of five occurrences of mineral
waters in Serbia (Torda, Slankamen Banja, Lomnicki Kiseljak, Velika Vrbnica
and Obrenovacka Banja) indicated the presence of a high percentage of the
Proteobacteria phylum, followed by the Bacteroidetes phylum. The families
Rhodobacteraceae, Burkholderiaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Methylophilaceae and
Moraxellaceae were the most dominant in the bacterial flora of the selected
occurrences, whereas the most represented genera were Acinetobacter,
Pseudorhodobacter, Pseudomonas, Limnohabitans, Massilia, Limnobacter and
Methylotenera. The presence of coliform bacteria was not detected. Alpha
diversity analysis revealed that Slankamen Banja and Lomnicki Kiseljak were
the richest of the selected occurrences, while the mineral waters of Torda,
Velika Vrbnica and Obrenovacka Banja were characterized by similar diversity
of bacterial communities determined by beta diversity analysis.
Physical-chemical analysis revealed the value of total dissolved solids
above 1 g/L, as well as elevated concentrations of some metals and
non-metals. The research concluded that specific bacteria contribute to the
development of biocorrosion and biofouling processes of water intake
facilities. In addition, some of these bacteria might be potential
indicators of the organic sources of pollution and/or biotechnological
natural remediators in the treatment of contaminated waters.
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15
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Dong Y, Sanford RA, Connor L, Chee-Sanford J, Wimmer BT, Iranmanesh A, Shi L, Krapac IG, Locke RA, Shao H. Differential structure and functional gene response to geochemistry associated with the suspended and attached shallow aquifer microbiomes from the Illinois Basin, IL. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117431. [PMID: 34320445 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite the clear ecological significance of the microbiomes inhabiting groundwater and connected ecosystems, our current understanding of their habitats, functionality, and the ecological processes controlling their assembly have been limited. In this study, an efficient pipeline combining geochemistry, high-throughput FluidigmTM functional gene amplification and sequencing was developed to analyze the suspended and attached microbial communities inhabiting five groundwater monitoring wells in the Illinois Basin, USA. The dominant taxa in the suspended and the attached microbial communities exhibited significantly different spatial and temporal changes in both alpha- and beta-diversity. Further analyses of representative functional genes affiliated with N2 fixation (nifH), methane oxidation (pmoA), and sulfate reduction (dsrB, and aprA), suggested functional redundancy within the shallow aquifer microbiomes. While more diversified functional gene taxa were observed for the suspended microbial communities than the attached ones except for pmoA, different levels of changes over time and space were observed between these functional genes. Notably, deterministic and stochastic ecological processes shaped the assembly of microbial communities and functional gene reservoirs differently. While homogenous selection was the prevailing process controlling assembly of microbial communities, the neutral processes (e.g., dispersal limitation, drift and others) were more important for the functional genes. The results suggest complex and changing shallow aquifer microbiomes, whose functionality and assembly vary even between the spatially proximate habitats and fractions. This research underscored the importance to include all the interface components for a more holistic understanding of the biogeochemical processes in aquifer ecosystems, which is also instructive for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Dong
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Robert A Sanford
- Department of Geology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Liang Shi
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, China
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16
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Lehosmaa K, Muotka T, Pirttilä AM, Jaakola I, Rossi PM, Jyväsjärvi J. Bacterial communities at a groundwater-surface water ecotone: gradual change or abrupt transition points along a contamination gradient? Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:6694-6706. [PMID: 34382316 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Microbial communities contribute greatly to groundwater quality, but the impacts of land-use practices on bacteria in groundwaters and groundwater-dependent ecosystems remain poorly known. With 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we assessed bacterial community composition at the groundwater-surface water ecotone of boreal springs impacted by urbanization and agriculture, using spring water nitrate-N as a surrogate of contamination. We also measured the rate of a key ecosystem process, organic matter decomposition. We documented a recurrent pattern across all major bacterial phyla where diversity started to decrease at unexpectedly low nitrate-N concentrations (100-300 μg L-1 ). At 400 NO3 - -N μg L-1 , 25 bacterial exact sequence variants showed a negative response, resulting in a distinct threshold in bacterial community composition. Chthonomonas, Acetobacterales and Hyphomicrobium were the most sensitive taxa, while only three taxa (Duganella, Undibacterium and Thermoanaerobaculaceae) were enriched due to increased contamination. Decomposition rate responded unimodally to increasing nitrate-N concentration, with a peak rate at ~400 NO3 - -N μg L-1 , parallelly with a major shift in bacterial community composition. Our results emphasize the utility of bacterial communities in the assessment of groundwater-dependent ecosystems. They also call for a careful reconsideration of threshold nitrate values for defining groundwater ecosystem health and protecting their microbial biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaisa Lehosmaa
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Timo Muotka
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Anna Maria Pirttilä
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Iikka Jaakola
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Pekka M Rossi
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Group, University of Oulu, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
| | - Jussi Jyväsjärvi
- Ecology and Genetics Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, FI-90014, Finland
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17
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Sonthiphand P, Kraidech S, Polart S, Chotpantarat S, Kusonmano K, Uthaipaisanwong P, Rangsiwutisak C, Luepromchai E. Arsenic speciation, the abundance of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria and microbial community structures in groundwater, surface water, and soil from a gold mine. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2021; 56:769-785. [PMID: 34038319 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2021.1927421] [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: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The arsenic speciation, the abundance of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria, and microbial community structures in the groundwater, surface water, and soil from a gold mining area were explored using the PHREEQC model, cloning-ddPCR of the aioA gene, and high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, respectively. The analysis of the aioA gene showed that arsenite-oxidizing bacteria retrieved from groundwater, surface water, and soil were associated with Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria. In groundwaters from the mining area, there were relatively high ratios of aioA/total 16S rRNA gene copies and the dominance of As5+, which suggested the presence and activity of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the majority of the soil and surface water microbiomes were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi, whereas the groundwater microbiomes were dominated exclusively by Betaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. Geochemical factors influencing the microbial structure in the groundwater were As, residence time, and groundwater flowrate, while those showing a positive correlation to the microbial structure in the surface water were TOC, ORP, and DO. This study provides insights into the groundwater, surface water, and soil microbiomes from a gold mine and expands the current understanding of the diversity and abundance of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria, playing a vital role in global As cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prinpida Sonthiphand
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Ratchathewi, Thailand
| | - Supeerapat Kraidech
- International Postgraduate Program in Hazardous Substance and Environmental Management, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Saowarod Polart
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Ratchathewi, Thailand
| | - Srilert Chotpantarat
- Faculty of Science, Department of Geology, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
- Research Program on Controls of Hazardous Contaminants in Raw Water Resources for Water Scarcity Resilience, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
- Research Unit of Site Remediation on Metals Management from Industry and Mining (Site Rem), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanthida Kusonmano
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pichahpuk Uthaipaisanwong
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chalida Rangsiwutisak
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ekawan Luepromchai
- Research Program on Remediation Technologies for Petroleum Contamination, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Microbial Technology for Marine Pollution Treatment Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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18
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Sheng Y, Li G, Dong H, Liu Y, Ma L, Yang M, Liu Y, Liu J, Deng S, Zhang D. Distinct assembly processes shape bacterial communities along unsaturated, groundwater fluctuated, and saturated zones. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 761:143303. [PMID: 33187706 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The subsurface soil environment through the unsaturated (vadose) zone and saturated (below groundwater table) zone is one of the most active layers in the Earth's surface with biogeochemical interactions. Geochemical variables and geographic distance are key driving forces shaping the distribution of soil microbial communities, but our understandings are mainly limited to surface soil or shallow unsaturated zone (1-3 m beneath the ground). In this study, soil and sediment samples were collected from the unsaturated zone, through groundwater fluctuated zone, to saturated zone (up to 20 m) to unravel the assembly processes mediating vertical bacterial community succession across these three zones. Our results suggested both geochemical niches and bacterial diversity had different vertical patterns in each zone. With increased depth, pH increased and nutrient levels (C, N, P, K) and bacterial diversity declined in the unsaturated zone, and nutrients and bacterial diversity remained low levels after reaching the fluctuated and saturated zones. Nutrients were the key drivers shaping bacterial variation in the unsaturated zone, but limited nutrients and only 'depth' significantly explained the variations in the fluctuated zone and saturated zone, respectively. The co-occurrence network supported a more species co-existence pattern in the unsaturated zone than that in the other two zones. Due to the geochemical variations across three zones, the assembly of phylogenetically more clustered communities was observed through deterministic processes (e.g., 55% homogenizing selection) in the unsaturated zone, but the stochastic process (e.g., 50%-70% dispersal limitation) was more important in the fluctuated and saturated zones. These findings together suggested that the vertical distribution of soil bacterial community assembly was zone-specific and shaped by the degree of deterministic vs. stochastic processes. Our results provide a novel insight into the microbial community assembly across three different ecosystems in the Earth's critical zone and shed a light on subsurface biogeochemical processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhi Sheng
- School of Environment & State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Guanghe Li
- School of Environment & State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Site Remediation Technologies, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Hailiang Dong
- Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yifei Liu
- School of Environment & State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Lin Ma
- School of Environment & State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengqing Yang
- School of Environment & State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ying Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Orogenic Belts and Crustal Evolution, School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Songqiang Deng
- Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou), Tsinghua, Suzhou 215163, China
| | - Dayi Zhang
- School of Environment & State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; National Engineering Laboratory for Site Remediation Technologies, Beijing 100015, China; Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou), Tsinghua, Suzhou 215163, China.
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19
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Genome-resolved metagenomics reveals site-specific diversity of episymbiotic CPR bacteria and DPANN archaea in groundwater ecosystems. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:354-365. [PMID: 33495623 PMCID: PMC7906910 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-020-00840-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Candidate phyla radiation (CPR) bacteria and DPANN archaea are unisolated, small-celled symbionts that are often detected in groundwater. The effects of groundwater geochemistry on the abundance, distribution, taxonomic diversity and host association of CPR bacteria and DPANN archaea has not been studied. Here, we performed genome-resolved metagenomic analysis of one agricultural and seven pristine groundwater microbial communities and recovered 746 CPR and DPANN genomes in total. The pristine sites, which serve as local sources of drinking water, contained up to 31% CPR bacteria and 4% DPANN archaea. We observed little species-level overlap of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) across the groundwater sites, indicating that CPR and DPANN communities may be differentiated according to physicochemical conditions and host populations. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy imaging and genomic analyses enabled us to identify CPR and DPANN lineages that reproducibly attach to host cells and showed that the growth of CPR bacteria seems to be stimulated by attachment to host-cell surfaces. Our analysis reveals site-specific diversity of CPR bacteria and DPANN archaea that coexist with diverse hosts in groundwater aquifers. Given that CPR and DPANN organisms have been identified in human microbiomes and their presence is correlated with diseases such as periodontitis, our findings are relevant to considerations of drinking water quality and human health. Metagenomics and electron microscopy are combined to analyse the diversity of episymbiotic CPR bacteria and DPANN archaea in eight groundwater communities.
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20
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Kaown D, Koh EH, Mayer B, Ju Y, Kim J, Lee HL, Lee SS, Park DK, Lee KK. Differentiation of natural and anthropogenic contaminant sources using isotopic and microbial signatures in a heavily cultivated coastal area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116493. [PMID: 33484997 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogeochemical and multiple isotope data for groundwater samples were obtained and interpreted to discriminate anthropogenic and natural contaminant sources in a coastal aquifer underlying a heavily cultivated watershed in Hwaseong, South Korea. The local aquifers are vulnerable to contamination, due to high anthropogenic N inputs and the location close to the ocean facilitating seawater intrusion. Thus, to effectively control the groundwater quality in the study area, it is necessary to differentiate between anthropogenic and natural contaminant sources. The concentrations of NO3-N in the groundwater ranged between 0.14 and 45.6 mg/L in August 2015 and 0.2-39.6 mg/L in March 2016. High concentrations of Cl- (388-1107 mg/L) and a high electrical conductivity (1027-2715 μS/cm) were observed in the study area, suggesting that the groundwater was affected by seawater intrusion. Furthermore, δ15N-NO3-, δ34S-SO42- values and 87Sr/86Sr of groundwater were determined to reveal the origins of the natural and anthropogenic contaminants and the groundwater mean residence times (MRT) and 87Sr/86Sr ratios were used to assess the hydrogeochemical processes along the flow path in the study area. Young groundwater was affected by an anthropogenic contamination source with contributions of 26-46% adding nitrate to the aquifer, whereas old groundwater was impacted by mixing with seawater with contributions of 10-20% with low concentrations of NO3-N, but elevated concentrations of chloride and sulfate. Recently recharged uncontaminated groundwater showed oxic conditions with a diverse microbial community structure, whereas young groundwater contaminated by anthropogenic sources showed a less diverse microbial community structure. The results of this study suggest that multiple isotopes combined with groundwater MRT and microbial data can be applied to distinguish natural and anthropogenic contaminant sources in a groundwater system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dugin Kaown
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Koh
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Bernhard Mayer
- Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - YeoJin Ju
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeyeon Kim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Lim Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Sun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Kyu Park
- Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon, 34132, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang-Kun Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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21
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Sonthiphand P, Rattanaroongrot P, Mek-Yong K, Kusonmano K, Rangsiwutisak C, Uthaipaisanwong P, Chotpantarat S, Termsaithong T. Microbial community structure in aquifers associated with arsenic: analysis of 16S rRNA and arsenite oxidase genes. PeerJ 2021; 9:e10653. [PMID: 33510973 PMCID: PMC7798605 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The microbiomes of deep and shallow aquifers located in an agricultural area, impacted by an old tin mine, were explored to understand spatial variation in microbial community structures and identify environmental factors influencing microbial distribution patterns through the analysis of 16S rRNA and aioA genes. Although Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteria, Patescibacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Epsilonbacteraeota were widespread across the analyzed aquifers, the dominant taxa found in each aquifer were unique. The co-dominance of Burkholderiaceae and Gallionellaceae potentially controlled arsenic immobilization in the aquifers. Analysis of the aioA gene suggested that arsenite-oxidizing bacteria phylogenetically associated with Alpha-, Beta-, and Gamma proteobacteria were present at low abundance (0.85 to 37.13%) and were more prevalent in shallow aquifers and surface water. The concentrations of dissolved oxygen and total phosphorus significantly governed the microbiomes analyzed in this study, while the combination of NO3 --N concentration and oxidation-reduction potential significantly influenced the diversity and abundance of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria in the aquifers. The knowledge of microbial community structures and functions in relation to deep and shallow aquifers is required for further development of sustainable aquifer management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prinpida Sonthiphand
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Kasarnchon Mek-Yong
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kanthida Kusonmano
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand.,Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Pilot Plant Development and Training Institute, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chalida Rangsiwutisak
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pichahpuk Uthaipaisanwong
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Program, School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Srilert Chotpantarat
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Program on Controls of Hazardous Contaminants in Raw Water Resources for Water Scarcity Resilience, Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Research Unit of Green Mining (GMM), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Teerasit Termsaithong
- Learning Institute, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand.,Theoretical and Computational Science Center (TaCS), King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand
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22
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Testing Different Membrane Filters for 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding in Karstic Springs. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12123400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Karstic springs are used worldwide by rural communities as sources of fresh water for humans and livestock. In Romania, one-third of the population has no direct access to a public water supply. The present study is part of a country-wide project to develop simple, quick and cheap methods for seasonal environmental and microbiological monitoring of karstic springs used as drinking water by rural populations. Critical steps for monitoring workflow consist of evaluating water quality and selecting suitable membrane filters to efficiently capture environmental DNA for further microbial diversity estimation using 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding. Methods: Several commercial membrane filters of different compositions and pore sizes were tested on the water sampled from three karstic springs in Romania, followed by water chemistry and whole community 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding analysis. Results: We found that different types of applied membrane filters provide varying recovery in diversity and abundance of both overall and pathogenic bacteria. Conclusions: The result of the experiment with different filters shows that mixed cellulose ester, cellulose acetate, and nitrate membranes of 0.20 and 0.22 µm are the best for amplicon-based metabarcoding monitoring of karst springs.
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23
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Jones EF, Griffin N, Kelso JE, Carling GT, Baker MA, Aanderud ZT. Stream Microbial Community Structured by Trace Elements, Headwater Dispersal, and Large Reservoirs in Sub-Alpine and Urban Ecosystems. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:491425. [PMID: 33324353 PMCID: PMC7726219 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.491425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Stream bacterioplankton communities, a crucial component of aquatic ecosystems and surface water quality, are shaped by environmental selection (i.e., changes in taxa abundance associated with more or less favorable abiotic conditions) and passive dispersal (i.e., organisms' abundance and distribution is a function of the movement of the water). These processes are a function of hydrologic conditions such as residence time and water chemistry, which are mediated by human infrastructure. To quantify the role of environmental conditions, dispersal, and human infrastructure (dams) on stream bacterioplankton, we measured bacterioplankton community composition in rivers from sub-alpine to urban environments in three watersheds (Utah, United States) across three seasons. Of the 53 environmental parameters measured (including physicochemical parameters, solute concentrations, and catchment characteristics), trace element concentrations explained the most variability in bacterioplankton community composition using Redundancy Analysis ordination. Trace elements may correlate with bacterioplankton due to the commonality in source of water and microorganisms, and/or environmental selection creating more or less favorable conditions for bacteria. Bacterioplankton community diversity decreased downstream along parts of the stream continuum but was disrupted where large reservoirs increased water residence time by orders of magnitude, potentially indicating a shift in the relative importance of environmental selection and dispersal at these sites. Reservoirs also had substantial effects on community composition, dissimilarity (Bray-Curtis distance) and species interactions as indicated by co-occurrence networks. Communities downstream of reservoirs were enriched with anaerobic Sporichthyaceae, methanotrophic Methylococcaceae, and iron-transforming Acidimicrobiales, suggesting alternative metabolic pathways became active in the hypolimnion of large reservoirs. Our results identify that human activity affects river microbial communities, with potential impacts on water quality through modified biogeochemical cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Fleming Jones
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Natasha Griffin
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Julia E. Kelso
- Department of Biology and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Gregory T. Carling
- Department of Geological Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
| | - Michelle A. Baker
- Department of Biology and the Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States
| | - Zachary T. Aanderud
- Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States
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24
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Chik AHS, Emelko MB, Anderson WB, O'Sullivan KE, Savio D, Farnleitner AH, Blaschke AP, Schijven JF. Evaluation of groundwater bacterial community composition to inform waterborne pathogen vulnerability assessments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 743:140472. [PMID: 32758810 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microbial water quality evaluations are essential for determining the vulnerability of subsurface drinking water sources to fecal pathogen intrusion. Rather than directly monitor waterborne pathogens using culture- or enumeration-based techniques, the potential of assessing bacterial community using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to support these evaluations was investigated. A framework for analyzing 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing results featuring negative-binomial generalized linear models is demonstrated, and applied to bacterial taxa sequences in purge water samples collected from a shallow, highly aerobic, unconfined aquifer. Bacterial taxa relevant as indicators of fecal source and surface connectivity were examined using this approach. Observed sequences of Escherichia, a genus suggestive of fecal source, were consistently detected but not confirmed by culture-based methods. On the other hand, episodic appearance of anaerobic taxa sequences in this highly aerobic environment, namely Clostridia and Bacteroides, warrants further investigation as potential indicators of fecal contamination. Betaproteobacteria sequences varied significantly on a seasonal basis, and therefore may be linked to understanding surface-water groundwater interactions at this site. However, sequences that are often encountered in surface water bodies (Cyanobacteria and Flavobacteriia) were notably absent or present at very low levels, suggesting that microbial transport from surface-derived sources may be rather limited. This work demonstrates the utility of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing for contextualizing and complementing conventional microbial techniques, allowing for hypotheses about source and transport processes to be tested and refined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex H S Chik
- Utrecht University, Domplein 29, 3512 JE Utrecht, Netherlands; TU Wien, Karlsplatz 13, 1040 Vienna, Austria; University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Monica B Emelko
- University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - William B Anderson
- University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Kaitlyn E O'Sullivan
- University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Domenico Savio
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria; TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Andreas H Farnleitner
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Straße 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria; TU Wien, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Jack F Schijven
- Utrecht University, Domplein 29, 3512 JE Utrecht, Netherlands
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25
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Higgins MA, Robbins GA, Maas KR, Binkhorst GK. Use of bacteria community analysis to distinguish groundwater recharge sources to shallow wells. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2020; 49:1530-1540. [PMID: 33043461 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, bacteria community analysis was performed to supplement a preexisting evaluation of nitrate contamination in drinking water wells at a coastal site in Old Lyme, CT. Given well usage and coastal hydrogeologic conditions, the source(s) of nitrate contamination in domestic wells could not be discerned between local septic systems or a nearby farm where organic fertilizers were used. Groundwater bacteria communities are known to be sensitive to a variety of environmental conditions. As such, they are potentially useful in distinguishing groundwater recharge sources. Groundwater samples collected from wells were analyzed using polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and 16S rRNA sequencing to determine the bacteria distributions in each well. The biostatistical analysis of the data using Bray-Curtis nonmetric multidimensional scaling and permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed three distinct bacteria community distributions that coincided with three different areas on the site. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) of the water quality data revealed that wells with similar bacteria shared similar water quality, all of which was indicative of local recharge. These findings suggested that the domestic well nitrate contamination was derived from local septic systems rather than the farm. Septic indicator analysis using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determined the presence of caffeine in domestic wells, which was consistent with the conclusions from the bacteria analysis, PCA, and the known hydrogeologic conditions. The low cost, ease of sample collection, and growing availability of bioinformatics laboratory services and software are conducive to the application of microbial community analysis as a supplemental tool for groundwater investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Higgins
- Dep. of Geosciences, Univ. of Connecticut, 354 Mansfield Road, U-1045, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Gary A Robbins
- Dep. of Geosciences, Univ. of Connecticut, 354 Mansfield Road, U-1045, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
- Dep. of Natural Resources and the Environment, Univ. of Connecticut, 1376 Storrs Road U-4087, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Kendra R Maas
- Microbial Analysis, Resources, and Services (MARS) Laboratory, UCONN CORE, Univ. of Connecticut, 181 Auditorium Rd., Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Gordon K Binkhorst
- Dep. of Geosciences, Univ. of Connecticut, 354 Mansfield Road, U-1045, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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26
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Zhong S, Chen Q, Hu J, Liu S, Qiao S, Ni J, Sun W. Vertical distribution of microbial communities and their response to metal(loid)s along the vadose zone-aquifer sediments. J Appl Microbiol 2020; 129:1657-1673. [PMID: 32533753 DOI: 10.1111/jam.14742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
AIMS This study attempted to demonstrate the vertical shift in bacterial, archaeal and fungal communities along the vadose zone-aquifer sediments and their respective responses to environmental factors. METHODS AND RESULTS We collected samples from the vadose zone and three aquifer sediments along a 42·5 m bore of a typical agricultural land. The results showed that the bacterial community shifted greatly with depth. The classes of Actinobacteria (19·5%) and NC10 (11·0%) were abundant in the vadose zone while Alphaproteobacteria (22·3%) and Gammaproteobacteria (20·1%) were enriched in the aquifer. Archaeal and fungal communities were relatively more homogeneous with no significant trend as a function of depth. Process analyses further indicated that selection dominated in the bacterial community, whereas stochastic processes governed archaeal and fungal communities. Moreover environment-bacteria interaction analysis showed that metal(loid)s, especially alkali metal, had a closer correlation with the bacterial community than physicochemical variables. CONCLUSIONS Depth strongly affected bacterial rather than archaeal and fungal communities. Metal(loid)s prevailed over physicochemical variables in shaping the bacterial community in the vadose zone-aquifer continuum. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Our study provides a new perspective on the structure of microbial communities from the vadose zone to the deep aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zhong
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Q Chen
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - J Hu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - S Liu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - S Qiao
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - J Ni
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - W Sun
- State Key Lab Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, Qinghai, People's Republic of China
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27
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Fillinger L, Hug K, Griebler C. Selection imposed by local environmental conditions drives differences in microbial community composition across geographically distinct groundwater aquifers. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 95:5584335. [PMID: 31598689 PMCID: PMC6821248 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiz160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several studies have analyzed biogeographic distribution patterns of microbial communities across broad spatial scales. However, it is often unclear to what extent differences in community composition across different regions are caused by dispersal limitation or selection, and if selection is caused by local environmental conditions alone or additional broad-scale region-specific factors. This is especially true for groundwater environments, which have been understudied in this context relative to other non-subsurface habitats. Here, we analyzed microbial community composition based on exact 16S rRNA amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) from four geographically separated aquifers located in different regions along a latitudinal transect of ∼700 km across Germany. Using a combination of variation partitioning and ecological null models revealed that differences in microbial community composition were mainly the product of selection imposed by local environmental conditions and to a smaller but still significant extent dispersal limitation and drift across regions. Only ∼23% of the total variation in microbial community composition remained unexplained, possibly due to underestimated effects of dispersal limitation among local communities within regions and temporal drift. No evidence was found for selection due to region-specific factors independent of local environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Fillinger
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Katrin Hug
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany
| | - Christian Griebler
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Groundwater Ecology, Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, Neuherberg 85764, Germany.,Department of Limnology & Bio-Oceanography, Centre of Functional Ecology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, Vienna 1090, Austria
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28
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Vannier N, Bittebiere AK, Mony C, Vandenkoornhuyse P. Root endophytic fungi impact host plant biomass and respond to plant composition at varying spatio-temporal scales. FUNGAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.funeco.2019.100907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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29
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Andreo-Jimenez B, Vandenkoornhuyse P, Lê Van A, Heutinck A, Duhamel M, Kadam N, Jagadish K, Ruyter-Spira C, Bouwmeester H. Plant host and drought shape the root associated fungal microbiota in rice. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7463. [PMID: 31565550 PMCID: PMC6744933 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Water is an increasingly scarce resource while some crops, such as paddy rice, require large amounts of water to maintain grain production. A better understanding of rice drought adaptation and tolerance mechanisms could help to reduce this problem. There is evidence of a possible role of root-associated fungi in drought adaptation. Here, we analyzed the endospheric fungal microbiota composition in rice and its relation to plant genotype and drought. Methods Fifteen rice genotypes (Oryza sativa ssp. indica) were grown in the field, under well-watered conditions or exposed to a drought period during flowering. The effect of genotype and treatment on the root fungal microbiota composition was analyzed by 18S ribosomal DNA high throughput sequencing. Grain yield was determined after plant maturation. Results There was a host genotype effect on the fungal community composition. Drought altered the composition of the root-associated fungal community and increased fungal biodiversity. The majority of OTUs identified belonged to the Pezizomycotina subphylum and 37 of these significantly correlated with a higher plant yield under drought, one of them being assigned to Arthrinium phaeospermum. Conclusion This study shows that both plant genotype and drought affect the root-associated fungal community in rice and that some fungi correlate with improved drought tolerance. This work opens new opportunities for basic research on the understanding of how the host affects microbiota recruitment as well as the possible use of specific fungi to improve drought tolerance in rice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Andreo-Jimenez
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.,Biointeractions & Plant Health Business Unit, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Arvid Heutinck
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Marie Duhamel
- EcoBio, Université Rennes I, Rennes, France.,IBL Plant Sciences and Natural Products, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Niteen Kadam
- International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines
| | - Krishna Jagadish
- International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines.,Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | | | - Harro Bouwmeester
- Laboratory of Plant Physiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands.,Plant Hormone Biology group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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30
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Duvert C, Priadi CR, Rose AM, Abdillah A, Marthanty DR, Gibb KS, Kaestli M. Sources and drivers of contamination along an urban tropical river (Ciliwung, Indonesia): Insights from microbial DNA, isotopes and water chemistry. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 682:382-393. [PMID: 31125752 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment infrastructure is lacking in many developing countries, often resulting in high loads of contaminants discharged to urban rivers. In these countries, targeted pollution mitigation requires an understanding of where, how and when contaminants enter water bodies. Here we report on contamination of the Ciliwung River, a dynamic, tropical system flowing through the Jakarta metropolitan area (Indonesia). We measured a set of isotopic, chemical and microbial tracers in representative water and contamination sources, as well as longitudinally within the river, to assess the spatial and temporal variations in contaminant levels in and pathways to the river. In the dry season, we observed a tight coupling between locally recharged groundwater sources and the river, whereas in the wet season, one single water source originating from the fractured headwaters predominantly contributed to river flow. Yet, the flushing of upstream waters in the wet season did not always lead to the dilution of contaminants downstream. We delineated several contamination hotspots along the river, particularly active during the wet season due to higher hydrological connectivity between sources and the river. These hotspots may originate from septic tank leakage, as supported by metal ratios and dominant microbial communities, although we could not rule out other potential sources such as urban runoff or sediment resuspension. Bayesian source tracking on the whole microbial community proved useful in outlining processes that conventional tracers did not capture, such as the occurrence of a localised domestic contamination in the upper catchment, and the inflow of agricultural runoff all along the river profile during the wet season. Our study emphasises the role of rivers as biogeochemical reactors that constantly process and transform contaminants and microbial communities. We also demonstrate the value of using isotopic, chemical and microbial tools together to trace the movement of water and contaminants through urban rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Duvert
- Research Institute for the Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia.
| | - Cindy R Priadi
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Alea M Rose
- Research Institute for the Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Ayik Abdillah
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | | | - Karen S Gibb
- Research Institute for the Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Mirjam Kaestli
- Research Institute for the Environment & Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
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31
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Deja-Sikora E, Gołębiewski M, Kalwasińska A, Krawiec A, Kosobucki P, Walczak M. Comamonadaceae OTU as a Remnant of an Ancient Microbial Community in Sulfidic Waters. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 78:85-101. [PMID: 30341500 PMCID: PMC6560000 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1270-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Intraterrestrial waters harbor microbial communities being extensively studied to understand microbial processes underlying subsurface ecosystem functioning. This paper provides the results of an investigation on the microbiomes of unique, subsurface sulfidic waters associated with Upper Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Miocene sediments. We used high-throughput 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to reveal the structure of bacterial and archaeal communities in water samples differing in sulfide content (20-960 mg/dm3), salinity (1.3-3.2%), and depth of extraction (60-660 m below ground level). Composition of the bacterial communities strongly varied across the samples; however, the bacteria participating in the sulfur cycle were common in all sulfidic waters. The shallowest borehole water (60 m bgl) was dominated by sulfur-oxidizing Epsilonproteobacteria (Sulfurimonas, Sulfurovum). In the waters collected from greater depths (148-300 m bgl), the prevalence of Betaproteobacteria (Comamonadaceae) and sulfate/sulfur-reducing Deltaproteobacteria (Desulfopila, Desulfomicrobium, MSBL7) was observed. Sulfate reducers (members of Clostridia: Candidatus Desulforudis) were the most abundant bacteria in the deepest borehole water (660 m bgl). Out of 850 bacterial OTUs, only one, affiliated with the Comamonadaceae family, was found abundant (> 1% of total bacterial sequences) in all samples. Contribution of Archaea to the whole microbial communities was lower than 0.5%. Archaeal communities did not differ across the samples and they consisted of Halobacteriaceae. Out of 372 archaeal OTUs, five, belonging to the four genera Natronomonas, Halorubrum, Halobellus, and Halorhabdus, were the most numerous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edyta Deja-Sikora
- Interdisciplinary Center for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Wilenska 4, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
| | - Marcin Gołębiewski
- Interdisciplinary Center for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Wilenska 4, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
- Chair of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kalwasińska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Arkadiusz Krawiec
- Department of Geology and Hydrogeology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Przemysław Kosobucki
- Department of Food Analysis and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, UTP University of Science and Technology, Seminaryjna 3, 85-326, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Maciej Walczak
- Department of Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland.
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Hu M, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Dahlgren RA, Chen D. Coupling stable isotopes and water chemistry to assess the role of hydrological and biogeochemical processes on riverine nitrogen sources. WATER RESEARCH 2019; 150:418-430. [PMID: 30557828 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.11.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Accurate source identification is critical for optimizing water pollution control strategies. Although the dual stable isotope (15N-NO3-/18O-NO3-) approach has been widely applied for differentiating riverine nitrogen (N) sources, the relatively short-term (<1 yr) 15N-NO3-/18O-NO3- records typically used in previous studies often hinders rigorous assessment due to high temporal variability associated with watershed N dynamics. Estimated contributions of legacy N sources in soils and groundwater to riverine N export by modeling approaches in many previous studies also lack validation from complementary information, such as multiple stable isotopes. This study integrated three years of multiple stable isotope (15N-NO3-/18O-NO3- and 2H-H2O/18O-H2O) and hydrochemistry measurements for river water, groundwater and rainfall to elucidate N dynamics and sources in the Yongan watershed (2474 km2) of eastern China. Nonpoint source N pollution dominated and displayed considerable seasonal and spatial variability in N forms and concentrations. Information from δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3- indicated that riverine N dynamics were regulated by contributing sources, nitrification and denitrification, as well as hydrological processes. For the three examined catchments and entire watershed, slow subsurface and groundwater flows accounted for >75% of river discharge and were likely the major hydrological pathways for N delivery to the river. Riverine NO3- sources varied with dominant land use (p < 0.001), with the highest contributions of groundwater (60%), wastewater (35%), and soil (50%) occurring in agricultural, residential and forest catchments, respectively. For the entire watershed, groundwater (∼50%) and soil N (>30%) were the dominant riverine NO3- sources, implying considerable potential for N pollution legacy effects. Results were consistent with observed nitrous oxide dynamics and N sources identified in previous modeling studies. As the first attempt to apply multiple isotope tracers for exploring and quantifying N transformation and transport pathways, this study provides an integrated approach for verifying and understanding the N pollution legacy effects observed in many watersheds worldwide. This study highlights that river N pollution control in many watersheds requires particular attention to groundwater restoration and soil N management in addition to N input control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minpeng Hu
- College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Subtropical Soil and Plant Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yanmei Liu
- College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yufu Zhang
- College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Randy A Dahlgren
- Department of Land, Air, and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Dingjiang Chen
- College of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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Abstract
Although groundwater is a critical source of drinking water and irrigation, it has been polluted worldwide by agriculture, industry, and domestic activity. Because assessing groundwater quality and recovery rates is challenging, we developed a method for determining where and how quickly nitrate is removed in aquifers using just a few point measurements of groundwater chemistry. This methodology opens new avenues for characterizing catchment-scale nutrient dynamics, including nitrogen, carbon, and silica, with existing datasets for ecosystems around the globe. Understanding the subsurface structure of reactivity would also improve estimates of recovery time frames for polluted ecosystems and inform sustainable limits for anthropogenic activity. Biogeochemical reactions occur unevenly in space and time, but this heterogeneity is often simplified as a linear average due to sparse data, especially in subsurface environments where access is limited. For example, little is known about the spatial variability of groundwater denitrification, an important process in removing nitrate originating from agriculture and land use conversion. Information about the rate, arrangement, and extent of denitrification is needed to determine sustainable limits of human activity and to predict recovery time frames. Here, we developed and validated a method for inferring the spatial organization of sequential biogeochemical reactions in an aquifer in France. We applied it to five other aquifers in different geological settings located in the United States and compared results among 44 locations across the six aquifers to assess the generality of reactivity trends. Of the sampling locations, 79% showed pronounced increases of reactivity with depth. This suggests that previous estimates of denitrification have underestimated the capacity of deep aquifers to remove nitrate, while overestimating nitrate removal in shallow flow paths. Oxygen and nitrate reduction likely increases with depth because there is relatively little organic carbon in agricultural soils and because excess nitrate input has depleted solid phase electron donors near the surface. Our findings explain the long-standing conundrum of why apparent reaction rates of oxygen in aquifers are typically smaller than those of nitrate, which is energetically less favorable. This stratified reactivity framework is promising for mapping vertical reactivity trends in aquifers, generating new understanding of subsurface ecosystems and their capacity to remove contaminants.
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Smith HJ, Zelaya AJ, De León KB, Chakraborty R, Elias DA, Hazen TC, Arkin AP, Cunningham AB, Fields MW. Impact of hydrologic boundaries on microbial planktonic and biofilm communities in shallow terrestrial subsurface environments. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 94:5107865. [PMID: 30265315 PMCID: PMC6192502 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiy191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Subsurface environments contain a large proportion of planetary microbial biomass and harbor diverse communities responsible for mediating biogeochemical cycles important to groundwater used by human society for consumption, irrigation, agriculture and industry. Within the saturated zone, capillary fringe and vadose zones, microorganisms can reside in two distinct phases (planktonic or biofilm), and significant differences in community composition, structure and activity between free-living and attached communities are commonly accepted. However, largely due to sampling constraints and the challenges of working with solid substrata, the contribution of each phase to subsurface processes is largely unresolved. Here, we synthesize current information on the diversity and activity of shallow freshwater subsurface habitats, discuss the challenges associated with sampling planktonic and biofilm communities across spatial, temporal and geological gradients, and discuss how biofilms may be constrained within shallow terrestrial subsurface aquifers. We suggest that merging traditional activity measurements and sequencing/-omics technologies with hydrological parameters important to sediment biofilm assembly and stability will help delineate key system parameters. Ultimately, integration will enhance our understanding of shallow subsurface ecophysiology in terms of bulk-flow through porous media and distinguish the respective activities of sessile microbial communities from more transient planktonic communities to ecosystem service and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Smith
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - A J Zelaya
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - K B De León
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - R Chakraborty
- Climate and Ecosystems Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - D A Elias
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - T C Hazen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - A P Arkin
- Department of Bioengineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - A B Cunningham
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
| | - M W Fields
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- ENIGMA (www.enigma.lbl.gov) Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS:977, Berkeley, CA 94720
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Karczewski K, Göbel P, Meyer EI. Do composition and diversity of bacterial communities and abiotic conditions of spring water reflect characteristics of groundwater ecosystems exposed to different agricultural activities? Microbiologyopen 2018; 8:e00681. [PMID: 30006971 PMCID: PMC6460265 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern agricultural practices have undeniably increased global food production. On the other hand, agricultural practices not only lead to a degradation of natural ecosystems but also affect the functioning of ecosystems and the related services they provide. Even though impacts of anthropogenic activities vary across ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems are among those affected to a higher degree. In comparison to surface water ecosystems, groundwater ecosystems are less affected by anthropogenic pollutants, as the overlaying soil retains organic and inorganic substances. However, it has become evident that the excessive use of fertilizers has led to the eutrophication of many aquifers. Bacterial communities, which significantly contribute to the cycling of matter due to their metabolic capacities, are prone to environmental perturbations, and structural variation of bacterial communities may consequently affect the functioning of groundwater ecosystems. Our present paper intends to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic activities on environmental conditions as well as on the structural properties of bacterial communities in groundwater. We repeatedly sampled emerging groundwater at five spring sites belonging to different catchments and determined the concentration of abiotic variables as well as the diversity and composition of bacterial communities on a local scale. We hypothesized that anthropogenic activities influence the concentration of abiotic variables, especially of nitrate, as well as the composition and diversity of bacterial communities in groundwater. Our results show that underground spring catchment areas only slightly differ regarding the concentration of abiotic variables as well as the structure of bacterial communities. Furthermore, abiotic variables, presumably influenced by anthropogenic activities, do not correlate with the diversity and composition of bacterial communities. Although supported only by circumstantial evidence, we suggest that upwelling groundwater from the deeper aquifer affects the diversity and composition of bacterial communities, and we argue that bacterial communities act as useful indicators for environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karsten Karczewski
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Patricia Göbel
- Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Elisabeth I Meyer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Malone ET, Abbott BW, Klaar MJ, Kidd C, Sebilo M, Milner AM, Pinay G. Decline in Ecosystem δ13C and Mid-Successional Nitrogen Loss in a Two-Century Postglacial Chronosequence. Ecosystems 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10021-018-0245-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Aquilina L, Roques C, Boisson A, Vergnaud-Ayraud V, Labasque T, Pauwels H, Pételet-Giraud E, Pettenati M, Dufresne A, Bethencourt L, Bour O. Autotrophic denitrification supported by biotite dissolution in crystalline aquifers (1): New insights from short-term batch experiments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 619-620:842-853. [PMID: 29734630 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We investigate denitrification mechanisms through batch experiments using crushed rock and groundwater from a granitic aquifer subject to long term pumping (Ploemeur, France). Except for sterilized experiments, extensive denitrification reaction induces NO3 decreases ranging from 0.3 to 0.6mmol/L. Carbon concentrations, either organic or inorganic, remain relatively stable and do not document potential heterotrophic denitrification. Batch experiments show a clear effect of mineral dissolution which is documented through cation (K, Na, Ca) and Fluoride production. These productions are tightly related to denitrification progress during the experiment. Conversely, limited amounts of SO4, systematically lower than autotrophic denitrification coupled to sulfur oxidation stoichiometry, are produced during the experiments which indicates that sulfur oxidation is not likely even when pyrite is added to the experiments. Analysis of cation ratios, both in isolated minerals of the granite and within water of the batch, allow the mineral dissolution during the experiments to be quantified. Using cation ratios, we show that batch experiments are characterized mainly by biotite dissolution. As biotite contains 21 to 30% of Fe and 0.3 to 1.7% of F, it constitutes a potential source for these two elements. Denitrification could be attributed to the oxidation of Fe(II) contained in biotite. We computed the amount of K and F produced through biotite dissolution when entirely attributing denitrification to biotite dissolution. Computed amounts show that this process may account for the observed K and F produced. We interpret these results as the development of microbial activity which induces mineral dissolution in order to uptake Fe(II) which is used for denitrification. Although pyrite is probably available, SO4 and cation measurements favor a large biotite dissolution reaction which could account for all the observed Fe production. Chemical composition of groundwater produced from the Ploemeur site indicates similar denitrification processes although original composition shows mainly plagioclase dissolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Aquilina
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France.
| | - Clément Roques
- ETH Zürich, Department of Earth Sciences, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Alexandre Boisson
- BRGM DAT Bretagne, Rennes Atalante Beaulieu 2 rue de Jouanet, 35700 Rennes, France
| | - Virginie Vergnaud-Ayraud
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Thierry Labasque
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Hélène Pauwels
- BRGM D3E, 3 av. Guillemin, BP 36009, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | | | - Marie Pettenati
- BRGM D3E, 3 av. Guillemin, BP 36009, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Alexis Dufresne
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Ecobio, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Lorine Bethencourt
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Ecobio, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Olivier Bour
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
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Roques C, Aquilina L, Boisson A, Vergnaud-Ayraud V, Labasque T, Longuevergne L, Laurencelle M, Dufresne A, de Dreuzy JR, Pauwels H, Bour O. Autotrophic denitrification supported by biotite dissolution in crystalline aquifers: (2) transient mixing and denitrification dynamic during long-term pumping. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 619-620:491-503. [PMID: 29156269 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the mixing and dynamic of denitrification processes induced by long-term pumping in the crystalline aquifer of Ploemeur (Brittany, France). Hydrological and geochemical parameters have been continuously recorded over 15 boreholes in 5km2 on a 25-year period. This extensive spatial and temporal monitoring of conservative as well as reactive compounds is a key opportunity to identify aquifer-scale transport and reactive processes in crystalline aquifers. Time series analysis of the conservative elements recorded at the pumped well were used to determine mixing fractions from different compartments of the aquifer on the basis of a Principal Component Analysis approach coupled with an end-member mixing analysis. We could reveal that pumping thus induces a thorough reorganization of fluxes known as capture, favoring infiltration and vertical fluxes in the recharge zone, and upwelling of deep and distant water at long-term time scales. These mixing fractions were then used to quantify the extent of denitrification linked to pumping. Based on the results from batch experiments described in a companion paper, our computations revealed that i) autotrophic denitrification processes are dominant in this context where carbon sources are limited, that ii) nitrate reduction does not only come from the oxidation of pyrite as classically described in previous studies analyzing denitrification processes in similar contexts, and that iii) biotite plays a critical role in sustaining the nitrate reduction process. Both nitrate reduction, sulfate production as well as fluor release ratios support the hypothesis that biotite plays a key role of electron donor in this context. The batch-to-site similarities support biotite availability and the role by bacterial communities as key controls of nitrate removal in such crystalline aquifers. However, the long term data monitoring also indicates that mixing and reactive processes evolve extremely slowly at the scale of the decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Roques
- ETH Zürich, Department of Earth Sciences, Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Luc Aquilina
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Alexandre Boisson
- BRGM DAT Bretagne, Rennes Atalante Beaulieu 2 rue de Jouanet, 35700 Rennes, France
| | - Virginie Vergnaud-Ayraud
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Thierry Labasque
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Laurent Longuevergne
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Marc Laurencelle
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 490 rue de la Couronne, Québec, (Québec) G1K 9A9, Canada
| | - Alexis Dufresne
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Ecobio, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Jean-Raynald de Dreuzy
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
| | - Hélène Pauwels
- BRGM D3E., 3 av. Guillemin, BP 36009, 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Olivier Bour
- Université Rennes 1 - CNRS, OSUR - Géosciences Rennes, Av. du Général Leclerc, 35 042 Rennes, France
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Lê Van A, Quaiser A, Duhamel M, Michon-Coudouel S, Dufresne A, Vandenkoornhuyse P. Ecophylogeny of the endospheric root fungal microbiome of co-occurring Agrostis stolonifera. PeerJ 2017; 5:e3454. [PMID: 28607843 PMCID: PMC5466812 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the root endosphere, fungi are known to be important for plant nutrition and resistance to stresses. However, description and understanding of the rules governing community assembly in the fungal fraction of the plant microbiome remains scarce. METHODS We used an innovative DNA- and RNA-based analysis of co-extracted nucleic acids to reveal the complexity of the fungal community colonizing the roots of an Agrostis stolonifera population. The normalized RNA/DNA ratio, designated the 'mean expression ratio', was used as a functional trait proxy. The link between this trait and phylogenetic relatedness was measured using the Blomberg's K statistic. RESULTS Fungal communities were highly diverse. Only ∼1.5% of the 635 OTUs detected were shared by all individuals, however these accounted for 33% of the sequence number. The endophytic fungal communities in plant roots exhibit phylogenetic clustering that can be explained by a plant host effect acting as environmental filter. The 'mean expression ratio' displayed significant but divergent phylogenetic signals between fungal phyla. DISCUSSION These results suggest that environmental filtering by the host plant favours the co-existence of related and similar OTUs within the Basidiomycota community assembly, whereas the Ascomycota and Glomeromycota communities seem to be impacted by competitive interactions which promote the co-existence of phylogenetically related but ecologically dissimilar OTUs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Lê Van
- CNRS, UMR6553 Ecobio, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Achim Quaiser
- CNRS, UMR6553 Ecobio, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Marie Duhamel
- CNRS, UMR6553 Ecobio, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Alexis Dufresne
- CNRS, UMR6553 Ecobio, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
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Rempfert KR, Miller HM, Bompard N, Nothaft D, Matter JM, Kelemen P, Fierer N, Templeton AS. Geological and Geochemical Controls on Subsurface Microbial Life in the Samail Ophiolite, Oman. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:56. [PMID: 28223966 PMCID: PMC5293757 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial abundance and diversity in deep subsurface environments is dependent upon the availability of energy and carbon. However, supplies of oxidants and reductants capable of sustaining life within mafic and ultramafic continental aquifers undergoing low-temperature water-rock reaction are relatively unknown. We conducted an extensive analysis of the geochemistry and microbial communities recovered from fluids sampled from boreholes hosted in peridotite and gabbro in the Tayin block of the Samail Ophiolite in the Sultanate of Oman. The geochemical compositions of subsurface fluids in the ophiolite are highly variable, reflecting differences in host rock composition and the extent of fluid-rock interaction. Principal component analysis of fluid geochemistry and geologic context indicate the presence of at least four fluid types in the Samail Ophiolite (“gabbro,” “alkaline peridotite,” “hyperalkaline peridotite,” and “gabbro/peridotite contact”) that vary strongly in pH and the concentrations of H2, CH4, Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3-, SO42-, trace metals, and DIC. Geochemistry of fluids is strongly correlated with microbial community composition; similar microbial assemblages group according to fluid type. Hyperalkaline fluids exhibit low diversity and are dominated by taxa related to the Deinococcus-Thermus genus Meiothermus, candidate phyla OP1, and the family Thermodesulfovibrionaceae. Gabbro- and alkaline peridotite- aquifers harbor more diverse communities and contain abundant microbial taxa affiliated with Nitrospira, Nitrosospharaceae, OP3, Parvarcheota, and OP1 order Acetothermales. Wells that sit at the contact between gabbro and peridotite host microbial communities distinct from all other fluid types, with an enrichment in betaproteobacterial taxa. Together the taxonomic information and geochemical data suggest that several metabolisms may be operative in subsurface fluids, including methanogenesis, acetogenesis, and fermentation, as well as the oxidation of methane, hydrogen and small molecular weight organic acids utilizing nitrate and sulfate as electron acceptors. Dynamic nitrogen cycling may be especially prevalent in gabbro and alkaline peridotite fluids. These data suggest water-rock reaction, as controlled by lithology and hydrogeology, constrains the distribution of life in terrestrial ophiolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin R Rempfert
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Hannah M Miller
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Nicolas Bompard
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Southampton, UK
| | - Daniel Nothaft
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Juerg M Matter
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton Southampton, UK
| | - Peter Kelemen
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University Palisades, NY, USA
| | - Noah Fierer
- Cooperate Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of ColoradoBoulder, CO, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of ColoradoBoulder, CO, USA
| | - Alexis S Templeton
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder, CO, USA
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An oligotrophic deep-subsurface community dependent on syntrophy is dominated by sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrifiers. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E7927-E7936. [PMID: 27872277 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1612244113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Subsurface lithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems (SLiMEs) under oligotrophic conditions are typically supported by H2 Methanogens and sulfate reducers, and the respective energy processes, are thought to be the dominant players and have been the research foci. Recent investigations showed that, in some deep, fluid-filled fractures in the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa, methanogens contribute <5% of the total DNA and appear to produce sufficient CH4 to support the rest of the diverse community. This paradoxical situation reflects our lack of knowledge about the in situ metabolic diversity and the overall ecological trophic structure of SLiMEs. Here, we show the active metabolic processes and interactions in one of these communities by combining metatranscriptomic assemblies, metaproteomic and stable isotopic data, and thermodynamic modeling. Dominating the active community are four autotrophic β-proteobacterial genera that are capable of oxidizing sulfur by denitrification, a process that was previously unnoticed in the deep subsurface. They co-occur with sulfate reducers, anaerobic methane oxidizers, and methanogens, which each comprise <5% of the total community. Syntrophic interactions between these microbial groups remove thermodynamic bottlenecks and enable diverse metabolic reactions to occur under the oligotrophic conditions that dominate in the subsurface. The dominance of sulfur oxidizers is explained by the availability of electron donors and acceptors to these microorganisms and the ability of sulfur-oxidizing denitrifiers to gain energy through concomitant S and H2 oxidation. We demonstrate that SLiMEs support taxonomically and metabolically diverse microorganisms, which, through developing syntrophic partnerships, overcome thermodynamic barriers imposed by the environmental conditions in the deep subsurface.
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Jin Q, Kirk MF. Thermodynamic and Kinetic Response of Microbial Reactions to High CO 2. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1696. [PMID: 27909425 PMCID: PMC5112241 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Geological carbon sequestration captures CO2 from industrial sources and stores the CO2 in subsurface reservoirs, a viable strategy for mitigating global climate change. In assessing the environmental impact of the strategy, a key question is how microbial reactions respond to the elevated CO2 concentration. This study uses biogeochemical modeling to explore the influence of CO2 on the thermodynamics and kinetics of common microbial reactions in subsurface environments, including syntrophic oxidation, iron reduction, sulfate reduction, and methanogenesis. The results show that increasing CO2 levels decreases groundwater pH and modulates chemical speciation of weak acids in groundwater, which in turn affect microbial reactions in different ways and to different extents. Specifically, a thermodynamic analysis shows that increasing CO2 partial pressure lowers the energy available from syntrophic oxidation and acetoclastic methanogenesis, but raises the available energy of microbial iron reduction, hydrogenotrophic sulfate reduction and methanogenesis. Kinetic modeling suggests that high CO2 has the potential of inhibiting microbial sulfate reduction while promoting iron reduction. These results are consistent with the observations of previous laboratory and field studies, and highlight the complexity in microbiological responses to elevated CO2 abundance, and the potential power of biogeochemical modeling in evaluating and quantifying these responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qusheng Jin
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oregon Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Matthew F Kirk
- Department of Geology, Kansas State University Manhattan, KS, USA
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Chan CS, Emerson D, Luther GW. The role of microaerophilic Fe-oxidizing micro-organisms in producing banded iron formations. GEOBIOLOGY 2016; 14:509-528. [PMID: 27392195 DOI: 10.1111/gbi.12192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the historical and economic significance of banded iron formations (BIFs), we have yet to resolve the formation mechanisms. On modern Earth, neutrophilic microaerophilic Fe-oxidizing micro-organisms (FeOM) produce copious amounts of Fe oxyhydroxides, leading us to wonder whether similar organisms played a role in producing BIFs. To evaluate this, we review the current knowledge of modern microaerophilic FeOM in the context of BIF paleoenvironmental studies. In modern environments wherever Fe(II) and O2 co-exist, microaerophilic FeOM proliferate. These organisms grow in a variety of environments, including the marine water column redoxcline, which is where BIF precursor minerals likely formed. FeOM can grow across a range of O2 concentrations, measured as low as 2 μm to date, although lower concentrations have not been tested. While some extant FeOM can tolerate high O2 concentrations, many FeOM appear to prefer and thrive at low O2 concentrations (~3-25 μm). These are similar to the estimated dissolved O2 concentrations in the few hundred million years prior to the 'Great Oxidation Event' (GOE). We compare biotic and abiotic Fe oxidation kinetics in the presence of varying levels of O2 and show that microaerophilic FeOM contribute substantially to Fe oxidation, at rates fast enough to account for BIF deposition. Based on this synthesis, we propose that microaerophilic FeOM were capable of playing a significant role in depositing the largest, most well-known BIFs associated with the GOE, as well as afterward when global O2 levels increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Chan
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Delaware, and the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, Newark, DE, USA
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Newark & Lewes, DE, USA
| | - D Emerson
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, East Boothbay, ME, USA
| | - G W Luther
- School of Marine Science and Policy, University of Delaware, Newark & Lewes, DE, USA
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