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Schulze-Makuch D, Lipus D, Arens FL, Baqué M, Bornemann TLV, de Vera JP, Flury M, Frösler J, Heinz J, Hwang Y, Kounaves SP, Mangelsdorf K, Meckenstock RU, Pannekens M, Probst AJ, Sáenz JS, Schirmack J, Schloter M, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Schneider B, Uhl J, Vestergaard G, Valenzuela B, Zamorano P, Wagner D. Microbial Hotspots in Lithic Microhabitats Inferred from DNA Fractionation and Metagenomics in the Atacama Desert. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9051038. [PMID: 34065975 PMCID: PMC8151210 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The existence of microbial activity hotspots in temperate regions of Earth is driven by soil heterogeneities, especially the temporal and spatial availability of nutrients. Here we investigate whether microbial activity hotspots also exist in lithic microhabitats in one of the most arid regions of the world, the Atacama Desert in Chile. While previous studies evaluated the total DNA fraction to elucidate the microbial communities, we here for the first time use a DNA separation approach on lithic microhabitats, together with metagenomics and other analysis methods (i.e., ATP, PLFA, and metabolite analysis) to specifically gain insights on the living and potentially active microbial community. Our results show that hypolith colonized rocks are microbial hotspots in the desert environment. In contrast, our data do not support such a conclusion for gypsum crust and salt rock environments, because only limited microbial activity could be observed. The hypolith community is dominated by phototrophs, mostly Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi, at both study sites. The gypsum crusts are dominated by methylotrophs and heterotrophic phototrophs, mostly Chloroflexi, and the salt rocks (halite nodules) by phototrophic and halotolerant endoliths, mostly Cyanobacteria and Archaea. The major environmental constraints in the organic-poor arid and hyperarid Atacama Desert are water availability and UV irradiation, allowing phototrophs and other extremophiles to play a key role in desert ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (F.L.A.); (J.H.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; (D.L.); (B.S.)
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Department of Experimental Limnology, 16775 Stechlin, Germany
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
- Correspondence: (D.S.-M.); (D.W.); Tel.: +49-(30)-314-23736 (D.S.-M.); +49-(331)-288-28800 (D.W.)
| | - Daniel Lipus
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; (D.L.); (B.S.)
| | - Felix L. Arens
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (F.L.A.); (J.H.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Mickael Baqué
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, 12489 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Till L. V. Bornemann
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany; (T.L.V.B.); (J.F.); (R.U.M.); (M.P.); (A.J.P.)
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), 51147 Cologne, Germany;
| | - Markus Flury
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA;
- Department of Crop and Soil Science, Washington State University, Puyallup, WA 98371, USA
| | - Jan Frösler
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany; (T.L.V.B.); (J.F.); (R.U.M.); (M.P.); (A.J.P.)
| | - Jacob Heinz
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (F.L.A.); (J.H.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Yunha Hwang
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (F.L.A.); (J.H.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Samuel P. Kounaves
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02155, USA;
- Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Kai Mangelsdorf
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Organic Geochemistry, 14473 Potsdam, Germany;
| | - Rainer U. Meckenstock
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany; (T.L.V.B.); (J.F.); (R.U.M.); (M.P.); (A.J.P.)
| | - Mark Pannekens
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany; (T.L.V.B.); (J.F.); (R.U.M.); (M.P.); (A.J.P.)
| | - Alexander J. Probst
- Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany; (T.L.V.B.); (J.F.); (R.U.M.); (M.P.); (A.J.P.)
| | - Johan S. Sáenz
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (J.S.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (F.L.A.); (J.H.); (Y.H.); (J.S.)
| | - Michael Schloter
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (J.S.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (P.-S.K.); (J.U.)
| | - Beate Schneider
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; (D.L.); (B.S.)
- Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenny Uhl
- Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany; (P.-S.K.); (J.U.)
| | - Gisle Vestergaard
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Bernardita Valenzuela
- Laboratorio de Microorganismos Extremófilos, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Angamos 601, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile; (B.V.); (P.Z.)
| | - Pedro Zamorano
- Laboratorio de Microorganismos Extremófilos, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Av. Angamos 601, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile; (B.V.); (P.Z.)
| | - Dirk Wagner
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany; (D.L.); (B.S.)
- Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Correspondence: (D.S.-M.); (D.W.); Tel.: +49-(30)-314-23736 (D.S.-M.); +49-(331)-288-28800 (D.W.)
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Maus D, Heinz J, Schirmack J, Airo A, Kounaves SP, Wagner D, Schulze-Makuch D. Methanogenic Archaea Can Produce Methane in Deliquescence-Driven Mars Analog Environments. Sci Rep 2020; 10:6. [PMID: 31913316 PMCID: PMC6949245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56267-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The current understanding of the Martian surface indicates that briny environments at the near-surface are temporarily possible, e.g. in the case of the presumably deliquescence-driven Recurring Slope Lineae (RSL). However, whether such dynamic environments are habitable for terrestrial organisms remains poorly understood. This hypothesis was tested by developing a Closed Deliquescence System (CDS) consisting of a mixture of desiccated Martian Regolith Analog (MRA) substrate, salts, and microbial cells, which over the course of days became wetted through deliquescence. The methane produced via metabolic activity for three methanogenic archaea: Methanosarcina mazei, M. barkeri and M. soligelidi, was measured after exposing them to three different MRA substrates using either NaCl or NaClO4 as a hygroscopic salt. Our experiments showed that (1) M. soligelidi rapidly produced methane at 4 °C, (2) M. barkeri produced methane at 28 °C though not at 4 °C, (3) M. mazei was not metabolically reactivated through deliquescence, (4) none of the species produced methane in the presence of perchlorate, and (5) all species were metabolically most active in the phyllosilicate-containing MRA. These results emphasize the importance of the substrate, microbial species, salt, and temperature used in the experiments. Furthermore, we show here for the first time that water provided by deliquescence alone is sufficient to rehydrate methanogenic archaea and to reactivate their metabolism under conditions roughly analogous to the near-subsurface Martian environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Maus
- Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik (ZAA), AG Astrobiologie, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623, Berlin, Germany.,Metabolism of Microbial Pathogens, Robert Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacob Heinz
- Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik (ZAA), AG Astrobiologie, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik (ZAA), AG Astrobiologie, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Airo
- Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik (ZAA), AG Astrobiologie, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Samuel P Kounaves
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Dirk Wagner
- GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany.,Institute of Geosciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Zentrum für Astronomie und Astrophysik (ZAA), AG Astrobiologie, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstr. 36, 10623, Berlin, Germany. .,GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany. .,Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Department of Experimental Limnology, Stechlin, Germany.
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Heinz J, Waajen AC, Airo A, Alibrandi A, Schirmack J, Schulze-Makuch D. Bacterial Growth in Chloride and Perchlorate Brines: Halotolerances and Salt Stress Responses of Planococcus halocryophilus. Astrobiology 2019; 19:1377-1387. [PMID: 31386567 PMCID: PMC6818489 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Extraterrestrial environments encompass physicochemical conditions and habitats that are unknown on Earth, such as perchlorate-rich brines that can be at least temporarily stable on the martian surface. To better understand the potential for life in these cold briny environments, we determined the maximum salt concentrations suitable for growth (MSCg) of six different chloride and perchlorate salts at 25°C and 4°C for the extremotolerant cold- and salt-adapted bacterial strain Planococcus halocryophilus. Growth was measured through colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, while cellular and colonial phenotypic stress responses were observed through visible light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. Our data show the following: (1) The tolerance to high salt concentrations can be increased through a stepwise inoculation toward higher concentrations. (2) Ion-specific factors are more relevant for the growth limitation of P. halocryophilus in saline solutions than single physicochemical parameters like ionic strength or water activity. (3) P. halocryophilus shows the highest microbial sodium perchlorate tolerance described so far. However, (4) MSCg values are higher for all chlorides compared to perchlorates. (5) The MSCg for calcium chloride was increased by lowering the temperature from 25°C to 4°C, while sodium- and magnesium-containing salts can be tolerated at 25°C to higher concentrations than at 4°C. (6) Depending on salt type and concentration, P. halocryophilus cells show distinct phenotypic stress responses such as novel types of colony morphology on agar plates and biofilm-like cell clustering, encrustation, and development of intercellular nanofilaments. This study, taken in context with previous work on the survival of extremophiles in Mars-like environments, suggests that high-concentrated perchlorate brines on Mars might not be habitable to any present organism on Earth, but extremophilic microorganisms might be able to evolve thriving in such environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Heinz
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annemiek C. Waajen
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alessandro Airo
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Armando Alibrandi
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
- GFZ German Center for Geoscience, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Department of Experimental Limnology, Stechlin, Germany
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Heinz J, Schirmack J, Airo A, Kounaves SP, Schulze-Makuch D. Enhanced Microbial Survivability in Subzero Brines. Astrobiology 2018; 18:1171-1180. [PMID: 29664686 PMCID: PMC6150940 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that dissolved salts can significantly lower the freezing point of water and thus extend habitability to subzero conditions. However, most investigations thus far have focused on sodium chloride as a solute. In this study, we report on the survivability of the bacterial strain Planococcus halocryophilus in sodium, magnesium, and calcium chloride or perchlorate solutions at temperatures ranging from +25°C to -30°C. In addition, we determined the survival rates of P. halocryophilus when subjected to multiple freeze/thaw cycles. We found that cells suspended in chloride-containing samples have markedly increased survival rates compared with those in perchlorate-containing samples. In both cases, the survival rates increase with lower temperatures; however, this effect is more pronounced in chloride-containing samples. Furthermore, we found that higher salt concentrations increase survival rates when cells are subjected to freeze/thaw cycles. Our findings have important implications not only for the habitability of cold environments on Earth but also for extraterrestrial environments such as that of Mars, where cold brines might exist in the subsurface and perhaps even appear temporarily at the surface such as at recurring slope lineae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Heinz
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Airo
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Samuel P. Kounaves
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington
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Schulze-Makuch D, Airo A, Schirmack J. The Adaptability of Life on Earth and the Diversity of Planetary Habitats. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2011. [PMID: 29085352 PMCID: PMC5650640 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary adaptability of life to extreme environments is astounding given that all life on Earth is based on the same fundamental biochemistry. The range of some physicochemical parameters on Earth exceeds the ability of life to adapt, but stays within the limits of life for other parameters. Certain environmental conditions such as low water availability in hyperarid deserts on Earth seem to be close to the limit of biological activity. A much wider range of environmental parameters is observed on planetary bodies within our Solar System such as Mars or Titan, and presumably even larger outside of our Solar System. Here we review the adaptability of life as we know it, especially regarding temperature, pressure, and water activity. We use then this knowledge to outline the range of possible habitable environments for alien planets and moons and distinguish between a variety of planetary environment types. Some of these types are present in our Solar System, others are hypothetical. Our schematic categorization of alien habitats is limited to life as we know it, particularly regarding to the use of solvent (water) and energy source (light and chemical compounds).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Astrobiology Group, Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Beyond Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Alessandro Airo
- Astrobiology Group, Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Astrobiology Group, Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Schirmack J, Fiebrandt M, Stapelmann K, Schulze-Makuch D. Effects of Low-Temperature Plasma-Sterilization on Mars Analog Soil Samples Mixed with Deinococcus radiodurans. Life (Basel) 2016; 6:life6020022. [PMID: 27240407 PMCID: PMC4931459 DOI: 10.3390/life6020022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We used Ar plasma-sterilization at a temperature below 80 °C to examine its effects on the viability of microorganisms when intermixed with tested soil. Due to a relatively low temperature, this method is not thought to affect the properties of a soil, particularly its organic component, to a significant degree. The method has previously been shown to work well on spacecraft parts. The selected microorganism for this test was Deinococcus radiodurans R1, which is known for its remarkable resistance to radiation effects. Our results showed a reduction in microbial counts after applying a low temperature plasma, but not to a degree suitable for a sterilization of the soil. Even an increase of the treatment duration from 1.5 to 45 min did not achieve satisfying results, but only resulted in in a mean cell reduction rate of 75% compared to the untreated control samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janosch Schirmack
- Astrobiology Research Group, Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University Berlin (TUB), Berlin 10623, Germany.
| | - Marcel Fiebrandt
- Biomedical Applications of Plasma Technology, Institute for Electrical Engineering and Plasma Technology (AEPT), Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), Bochum 44801, Germany.
| | - Katharina Stapelmann
- Biomedical Applications of Plasma Technology, Institute for Electrical Engineering and Plasma Technology (AEPT), Ruhr University Bochum (RUB), Bochum 44801, Germany.
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Astrobiology Research Group, Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Technical University Berlin (TUB), Berlin 10623, Germany.
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
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Schirmack J, Alawi M, Wagner D. Influence of Martian regolith analogs on the activity and growth of methanogenic archaea, with special regard to long-term desiccation. Front Microbiol 2015; 6:210. [PMID: 25852668 PMCID: PMC4367439 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Methanogenic archaea have been studied as model organisms for possible life on Mars for several reasons: they can grow lithoautotrophically by using hydrogen and carbon dioxide as energy and carbon sources, respectively; they are anaerobes; and they evolved at a time when conditions on early Earth are believed to have looked similar to those of early Mars. As Mars is currently dry and cold and as water might be available only at certain time intervals, any organism living on this planet would need to cope with desiccation. On Earth there are several regions with low water availability as well, e.g., permafrost environments, desert soils, and salt pans. Here, we present the results of a set of experiments investigating the influence of different Martian regolith analogs (MRAs) on the metabolic activity and growth of three methanogenic strains exposed to culture conditions as well as long-term desiccation. In most cases, concentrations below 1 wt% of regolith in the media resulted in an increase of methane production rates, whereas higher concentrations decreased the rates, thus prolonging the lag phase. Further experiments showed that methanogenic archaea are capable of producing methane when incubated on a water-saturated sedimentary matrix of regolith lacking nutrients. Survival of methanogens under these conditions was analyzed with a 400 day desiccation experiment in the presence of regolith analogs. All tested strains of methanogens survived the desiccation period as it was determined through reincubation on fresh medium and via qPCR following propidium monoazide treatment to identify viable cells. The survival of long-term desiccation and the ability of active metabolism on water-saturated MRAs strengthens the possibility of methanogenic archaea or physiologically similar organisms to exist in environmental niches on Mars. The best results were achieved in presence of a phyllosilicate, which provides insights of possible positive effects in habitats on Earth as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janosch Schirmack
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research - Research Unit Potsdam, Potsdam Germany
| | - Mashal Alawi
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section 4.5 Geomicrobiology, Potsdam Germany
| | - Dirk Wagner
- GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section 4.5 Geomicrobiology, Potsdam Germany
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Ganzert L, Schirmack J, Alawi M, Mangelsdorf K, Sand W, Hillebrand-Voiculescu A, Wagner D. Methanosarcina spelaei sp. nov., a methanogenic archaeon isolated from a floating biofilm of a subsurface sulphurous lake. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2014; 64:3478-3484. [PMID: 25052394 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.064956-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel methanogenic archaeon, strain MC-15(T), was isolated from a floating biofilm on a sulphurous subsurface lake in Movile Cave (Mangalia, Romania). Cells were non-motile sarcina-like cocci with a diameter of 2-4 µm, occurring in aggregates. The strain was able to grow autotrophically on H2/CO2. Additionally, acetate, methanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine and trimethylamine were utilized, but not formate or dimethyl sulfide. Trypticase peptone and yeast extract were not required for growth. Optimal growth was observed at 33 °C, pH 6.5 and a salt concentration of 0.05 M NaCl. The predominant membrane lipids of MC-15(T) were archaeol and hydroxyarchaeol phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol as well as hydroxyarchaeol phosphatidylserine and archaeol glycosaminyl phosphatidylinositol. The closely related species, Methanosarcina vacuolata and Methanosarcina horonobensis, had a similar composition of major membrane lipids to strain MC-15(T). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain MC-15(T) was similar to those of Methanosarcina vacuolata DSM 1232(T) (sequence similarity 99.3%), Methanosarcina horonobensis HB-1(T) (98.8%), Methanosarcina barkeri DSM 800(T) (98.7%) and Methanosarcina siciliae T4/M(T) (98.4%). DNA-DNA hybridization revealed 43.3% relatedness between strain MC-15(T) and Methanosarcina vacuolata DSM 1232(T). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 39.0 mol%. Based on physiological, phenotypic and genotypic differences, strain MC-15(T) represents a novel species of the genus Methanosarcina, for which the name Methanosarcina spelaei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MC-15(T) ( = DSM 26047(T) = JCM 18469(T)).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Ganzert
- Finnish Forest Research Institute, Rovaniemi Unit, Eteläranta 55, 96100 Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Research Unit Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A45, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mashal Alawi
- GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Section 4.5 Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kai Mangelsdorf
- GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Section 4.3 Organic Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Sand
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Biofilm Centre, Aquatic Biotechnology, Geibelstraße 41, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
| | | | - Dirk Wagner
- GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences, Section 4.5 Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam, Germany
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Wagner D, Schirmack J, Ganzert L, Morozova D, Mangelsdorf K. Methanosarcina
soligelidi sp. nov., a desiccation and freeze–thaw-resistant methanogenic archaeon from a Siberian permafrost-affected soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.057323-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Wagner D, Schirmack J, Ganzert L, Morozova D, Mangelsdorf K. Methanosarcina soligelidi sp. nov., a desiccation- and freeze-thaw-resistant methanogenic archaeon from a Siberian permafrost-affected soil. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2013; 63:2986-2991. [PMID: 23378113 DOI: 10.1099/ijs.0.046565-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A methanogenic archaeon, strain SMA-21(T), was isolated from a permafrost-affected soil by serial dilution in liquid medium. The cells were non-motile, stained Gram-negative and grew as irregular cocci with a diameter of 1.3-2.5 µm. Optimal growth was observed at 28 °C, pH 7.8 and 0.02 M NaCl. The strain grew on H2/CO2, methanol and acetate, but not on formate, ethanol, 2-butanol, 2-propanol, monomethylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine or dimethyl sulfide. Major membrane lipids of strain SMA-21(T) were archaeol phosphatidylglycerol, archaeol phosphatidylethanolamine and the corresponding hydroxyarchaeol compounds. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was closely related to those of Methanosarcina mazei DSM 2053(T) (similarity 99.9 %) and Methanosarcina horonobensis HB-1(T) (similarity 98.7 %). On basis of the level of DNA-DNA hybridization (22.1 %) between strain SMA-21(T) and Methanosarcina mazei DSM 2053(T) as well as of phenotypic and genotypic differences, strain SMA-21(T) was assigned to a novel species of the genus Methanosarcina, for which the name Methanosarcina soligelidi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SMA-21(T) (=DSM 26065(T) [corrected] = JCM 18468).
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Wagner
- Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Section 4.5 Geomicrobiology, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany.,Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Research Unit Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A45, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Research Unit Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A45, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lars Ganzert
- University of Tromsø, Department for Arctic and Marine Biology, Dramsveien 201, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Daria Morozova
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Research Unit Potsdam, Telegrafenberg A45, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Kai Mangelsdorf
- Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), Section 4.3 Organic Geochemistry, Telegrafenberg, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
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