scholarly journals Giant sulfur bacteria (Beggiatoaceae) from sediments underlying the Benguela upwelling system host diverse microbiomes

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0258124
Author(s):  
Beverly E. Flood ◽  
Deon C. Louw ◽  
Anja K. Van der Plas ◽  
Jake V. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Sulfur Metabolism ◽  
Community Analysis ◽  
Ammonium Oxidation ◽  
Nitrite Oxidation ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Sulfur Bacteria ◽  
Benguela Upwelling ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing ◽  
Geochemical Profiles

Due to their lithotrophic metabolisms, morphological complexity and conspicuous appearance, members of the Beggiatoaceae have been extensively studied for more than 100 years. These bacteria are known to be primarily sulfur-oxidizing autotrophs that commonly occur in dense mats at redox interfaces. Their large size and the presence of a mucous sheath allows these cells to serve as sites of attachment for communities of other microorganisms. But little is known about their individual niche preferences and attached microbiomes, particularly in marine environments, due to a paucity of cultivars and their prevalence in habitats that are difficult to access and study. Therefore, in this study, we compare Beggiatoaceae strain composition, community composition, and geochemical profiles collected from sulfidic sediments at four marine stations off the coast of Namibia. To elucidate community members that were directly attached and enriched in both filamentous Beggiatoaceae, namely Ca. Marithioploca spp. and Ca. Maribeggiatoa spp., as well as non-filamentous Beggiatoaceae, Ca. Thiomargarita spp., the Beggiatoaceae were pooled by morphotype for community analysis. The Beggiatoaceae samples collected from a highly sulfidic site were enriched in strains of sulfur-oxidizing Campylobacterota, that may promote a more hospitable setting for the Beggiatoaceae, which are known to have a lower tolerance for high sulfide to oxygen ratios. We found just a few host-specific associations with the motile filamentous morphotypes. Conversely, we detected 123 host specific enrichments with non-motile chain forming Beggiatoaceae. Potential metabolisms of the enriched strains include fermentation of host sheath material, syntrophic exchange of H2 and acetate, inorganic sulfur metabolism, and nitrite oxidation. Surprisingly, we did not detect any enrichments of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria as previously suggested and postulate that less well-studied anaerobic ammonium oxidation pathways may be occurring instead.

scholarly journals Sulfur bacteria promote dissolution of authigenic carbonates at marine methane seeps

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalton J. Leprich ◽  
Beverly E. Flood ◽  
Peter R. Schroedl ◽  
Elizabeth Ricci ◽  
Jeffery J. Marlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbonate Rocks ◽  
Sulfur Oxidation ◽  
Methane Seeps ◽  
Etch Pits ◽  
Active Dissolution ◽  
Authigenic Carbonates ◽  
Sulfur Bacteria ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing ◽  
Sulfur Oxidizing Bacteria

AbstractCarbonate rocks at marine methane seeps are commonly colonized by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria that co-occur with etch pits that suggest active dissolution. We show that sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are abundant on the surface of an exemplar seep carbonate collected from Del Mar East Methane Seep Field, USA. We then used bioreactors containing aragonite mineral coupons that simulate certain seep conditions to investigate plausible in situ rates of carbonate dissolution associated with sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Bioreactors inoculated with a sulfur-oxidizing bacterial strain, Celeribacter baekdonensis LH4, growing on aragonite coupons induced dissolution rates in sulfidic, heterotrophic, and abiotic conditions of 1773.97 (±324.35), 152.81 (±123.27), and 272.99 (±249.96) μmol CaCO3 • cm−2 • yr−1, respectively. Steep gradients in pH were also measured within carbonate-attached biofilms using pH-sensitive fluorophores. Together, these results show that the production of acidic microenvironments in biofilms of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are capable of dissolving carbonate rocks, even under well-buffered marine conditions. Our results support the hypothesis that authigenic carbonate rock dissolution driven by lithotrophic sulfur-oxidation constitutes a previously unknown carbon flux from the rock reservoir to the ocean and atmosphere.

scholarly journals Biogeochemical Regimes in Shallow Aquifers Reflect the Metabolic Coupling of the Elements Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Carbon

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl-Eric Wegner ◽  
Michael Gaspar ◽  
Patricia Geesink ◽  
Martina Herrmann ◽  
Manja Marz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Sulfur Metabolism ◽  
Ammonium Oxidation ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
Differentiation Potential ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Monitoring Wells

ABSTRACTNear-surface groundwaters are prone to receive (in)organic matter input from their recharge areas and are known to harbor autotrophic microbial communities linked to nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. Here, we use multi-omic profiling to gain holistic insights into the turnover of inorganic nitrogen compounds, carbon fixation processes, and organic matter processing in groundwater. We sampled microbial biomass from two superimposed aquifers via monitoring wells that follow groundwater flow from its recharge area through differences in hydrogeochemical settings and land use. Functional profiling revealed that groundwater microbiomes are mainly driven by nitrogen (nitrification, denitrification, and ammonium oxidation [anammox]) and to a lesser extent sulfur cycling (sulfur oxidation and sulfate reduction), depending on local hydrochemical differences. Surprisingly, the differentiation potential of the groundwater microbiome surpasses that of hydrochemistry for individual monitoring wells. Being dominated by a few phyla (Bacteroidetes,Proteobacteria,Planctomycetes, andThaumarchaeota), the taxonomic profiling of groundwater metagenomes and metatranscriptomes revealed pronounced differences between merely present microbiome members and those actively participating in community gene expression and biogeochemical cycling. Unexpectedly, we observed a constitutive expression of carbohydrate-active enzymes encoded by different microbiome members, along with the groundwater flow path. The turnover of organic carbon apparently complements for lithoautotrophic carbon assimilation pathways mainly used by the groundwater microbiome depending on the availability of oxygen and inorganic electron donors, like ammonium.IMPORTANCEGroundwater is a key resource for drinking water production and irrigation. The interplay between geological setting, hydrochemistry, carbon storage, and groundwater microbiome ecosystem functioning is crucial for our understanding of these important ecosystem services. We targeted the encoded and expressed metabolic potential of groundwater microbiomes along an aquifer transect that diversifies in terms of hydrochemistry and land use. Our results showed that the groundwater microbiome has a higher spatial differentiation potential than does hydrochemistry.

scholarly journals An asset-based participatory community analysis of natural hazards in Naphuno, Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Allucia L. Shokane ◽  
Hanna Nel
Keyword(s):  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Community Analysis ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Participatory Action ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Resilient Communities ◽  
Asset Based Community Development

Natural hazards disrupt the daily lives of people and communities. Consequently, social workers, like any other stakeholders, deal with community predicaments arising from the effects of natural hazards. The social relief distress (SRD) programme of government utilises needs-based, top-down government-driven interventions in communities affected by natural hazards, focused on what communities lack, as opposed to what communities have. This research study involved a community that experienced natural hazards, such as flooding, hail, lightning and windstorms, which destroyed property and livelihoods during the period 2014–2015. Eight experts and 12 affected community members participated in a qualitative participatory action research analysis study between 2016 and 2017. Guided by the asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, the affected community participated in a collaborative manner in the analysis of the consequences of natural hazards within the community. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and focus group discussions, and analysed thematically. The findings confirmed the traumatic effects of natural hazards, such as loss of property, crops and livestock, physical injuries and even death. The main finding established that natural hazards should be managed in a collaborative way between formal experts of natural hazards and community members through ABCD principles and methods in building resilient communities.

Effects of temperature and volatile fatty acids on nitrification-denitrification activity in small-scale anaerobic-aerobic recirculation biofilm process

1997 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Takai ◽  
A. Hirata ◽  
K. Yamauchi ◽  
Y. Inamori
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Nitrifying Bacteria ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ammonium Oxidation ◽  
Nitrite Oxidation ◽  
Nitrification Activity ◽  
Denitrification Activity ◽  
Effects Of Temperature ◽  
Biofilm Process

The purpose of this study is to clarify effects of temperature, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and recirculation on nitrification-denitrification activity and biota such as nitrifying bacteria in a small-scale domestic wastewater treatment process. Effects of VFAs produced in anaerobic biofilm reactors under various flow-rates and recirculation ratios on nitrifying bacteria were also investigated with laboratory-scale plants on a long-term stable conditions. As a result, at a temperature of 10°C, nitrification activity could be increased about 65% by recirculation and nitrogen removal efficiency was also surely raised. Temperature coefficients of nitrification rate at recirculation ratios of 0 and 4.0 were 1.039 and 1.090, respectively, and that of denitrification was 1.065 at recirculation ratio of 4.0. High concentrations of VFAs were found in anaerobically treated effluent, especially at 10°C without recirculation, and inhibition of nitrite oxidation and nitrite accumulation were observed in the aerobic biofilm reactor. From batch experiments, VFAs' inhibition constants γ in nitrification activity of aerobic biofilm was calculated, and consumption rates of each VFA was investigated on the condition that denitrification was progressed or not. It was clarified that each VFA did not inhibit ammonium oxidation in observed concentration, but slightly inhibited nitrite oxidation. Acetic acid was used as a carbon source of denitrification at the rate of 17.3mg/mg-SS/hr. On the other hand, propionic acid was not used effectively and denitrification did not occur. It was concluded that the recirculation was indispensable to promote nitrification-denitrification activity and biodegradation of VFAs in the small-scale anaerobic-aerobic biofilm process.

scholarly journals Bacteriohopanetetrol-<i>x</i>: constraining its application as a lipid biomarker for marine anammox using the water column oxygen gradient of the Benguela upwelling system

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-221
Author(s):  
Zoë R. van Kemenade ◽  
Laura Villanueva ◽  
Ellen C. Hopmans ◽  
Peter Kraal ◽  
Harry J. Witte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Water Column ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Ammonium Oxidation ◽  
Oxygen Gradient ◽  
Upwelling System ◽  
Benguela Upwelling ◽  
Ladderane Lipids

Abstract. Interpreting lipid biomarkers in the sediment archive requires a good understanding of their application and limitations in modern systems. Recently it was discovered that marine bacteria performing anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), belonging to the genus Ca. Scalindua, uniquely synthesize a stereoisomer of bacteriohopanetetrol (“BHT-x”). The ratio of BHT-x over total bacteriohopanetetrol (BHT, ubiquitously synthesized by diverse bacteria) has been suggested as a proxy for water column anoxia. As BHT has been found in sediments over 50 Myr old, BHT-x has the potential to complement and extend the sedimentary biomarker record of marine anammox, conventionally constructed using ladderane lipids. Yet, little is known about the distribution of BHT-x in relation to the distribution of ladderanes and to the genetic evidence of Ca. Scalindua in modern marine systems. Here, we investigate the distribution of BHT-x and the application of the BHT-x ratio in relation to distributions of ladderane intact polar lipids (IPLs), ladderane fatty acids (FAs) and Ca. Scalindua 16S rRNA genes in suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the water column of the Benguela upwelling system (BUS), sampled across a large oxygen gradient. In BUS SPM, high BHT-x abundances were restricted to the oxygen-deficient zone on the continental shelf (at [O2] < 45 µmol L−1, in all but one case). High BHT-x abundances co-occurred with high abundances of the Ca. Scalindua 16S rRNA gene (relative to the total number of bacterial 16S rRNA genes) and ladderane IPLs. At shelf stations with [O2] > 50 µmol L−1, the BHT-x ratio was < 0.04 (in all but one case). In apparent contradiction, ladderane FAs and low abundances of BHT and BHT-x (resulting in BHT-x ratios > 0.04) were also detected in oxygenated offshore waters ([O2] up to 180 µmol L−1), whereas ladderane IPLs were undetected. The index of ladderane lipids with five cyclobutane rings (NL5) correlates with in situ temperature. NL5-derived temperatures suggested that ladderane FAs in the offshore waters were not synthesized in situ but were transported down-slope from warmer shelf waters. Thus, in sedimentary archives of systems with known lateral organic matter transport, such as the BUS, relative BHT and BHT-x abundances should be carefully considered. In such systems, a higher BHT-x ratio may act as a safer threshold for deoxygenation and/or Ca. Scalindua presence: our results and previous studies indicate that a BHT-x ratio of ≥ 0.2 is a robust threshold for oxygen-depleted waters ([O2] < 50 µmol kg−1). In our data, ratios of ≥ 0.2 coincided with Ca. Scalindua 16S rRNA genes in all samples (n=62), except one. Lastly, when investigating in situ anammox, we highlight the importance of using ladderane IPLs over BHT-x and/or ladderane FAs; these latter compounds are more recalcitrant and may derive from transported fossil anammox bacteria remnants.

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