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NC10 bacteria in marine oxygen minimum zones
Cory C Padilla1, Laura A Bristow2, Neha Sarode1,3
1School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
The ISME Journal
|February 27, 2016
Summary
Bacteria of the NC10 phylum are active in oceanic oxygen minimum zones, linking methane oxidation to denitrification. This study confirms their pelagic niche and role in cycling methane and nitrogen in these unique environments.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Oceanography
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Bacteria of the NC10 phylum utilize a unique intra-aerobic methanotrophy pathway, linking anaerobic methane oxidation to nitrite denitrification.
- The ecological niche of NC10 bacteria in pelagic ocean environments remained unconfirmed prior to this study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and activity of NC10 bacteria in oceanic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs).
- To elucidate the role of NC10 bacteria in the biogeochemical cycling of methane, nitrogen, and oxygen within OMZs.
Main Methods:
- Detection and quantification of NC10 16S rRNA genes across various oceanic sites.
- Phylogenetic analysis of particulate methane monooxygenase (pmo) genes to confirm NC10 presence.
- Analysis of rRNA and mRNA transcripts to assess NC10 gene expression, including genes involved in the intra-aerobic pathway and nitric oxide reductase.
Main Results:
- NC10 bacteria were detected and found to be transcriptionally active in OMZs off Mexico and Costa Rica.
- NC10 16S rRNA gene abundance peaked in anoxic zones with high nitrite and methane concentrations.
- Transcripts for the nitrite-dependent intra-aerobic pathway and a unique nitric oxide reductase were abundant within the OMZ, indicating active O2-producing NO dismutation.
Conclusions:
- Pelagic oxygen minimum zones represent a confirmed ecological niche for NC10 bacteria.
- NC10 bacteria likely play a significant role in the cycling of methane, nitrogen, and oxygen within OMZs through their unique metabolic pathways.
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