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Microbial population and functional dynamics associated with surface potential and carbon metabolism
Shun'ichi Ishii1, Shino Suzuki2, Trina M Norden-Krichmar2
11] J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA [2] Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan [3] Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
The ISME Journal
|December 20, 2013
Summary
Surface redox potential and carbon source influence microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) and community development. Higher potentials and fatty acids enhance EET rates, shaping microbial populations for metal reduction in anoxic environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Microbial extracellular electron transfer (EET) is crucial for metal reduction in anoxic environments.
- Characterizing EET-active communities and their contributions is challenging due to variable conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the synergistic effects of carbon source and surface redox potential on EET-active microbial communities.
- To understand how these factors influence community development, metabolic networks, and electron transfer rates.
Main Methods:
- Utilized bioelectrochemical systems to control surface redox potential and carbon source.
- Employed temporal 16S rRNA gene sequencing for microbial community analysis.
Main Results:
- Faster biocatalytic rates occurred at electropositive surface potentials and with fatty acid supplementation.
- Geobacter phylotypes showed diverse responses to surface potentials, with different clades dominating at different potentials.
- Specific fermentative bacteria (Tolumonas, Aeromonas, Lactococcus) associated with Geobacter phylotypes, influenced by surface potential and carbon source.
Conclusions:
- Surface redox potential acts as a strong selective pressure on EET-active microbial communities.
- Community composition and function are significantly shaped by the interplay between surface potential and available carbon sources.
- This research provides insights into microbial metal reduction and community dynamics in engineered and natural anoxic systems.
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