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Preparation of Authigenic Pyrite from Methane-bearing Sediments for In Situ Sulfur Isotope Analysis Using SIMS
Published on: August 31, 2017
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Diverse sulfur metabolisms from two subterranean sulfidic spring systems
Karen Rossmassler1, Thomas E Hanson2, Barbara J Campbell3
1School of Marine Science and Policy, College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware, Lewes, DE, USA.
FEMS Microbiology Letters
|June 22, 2016
Summary
Microbial sulfur metabolism varies between subterranean sulfidic streams. Researchers identified distinct sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) and incomplete thiosulfate oxidation (Sox) pathways, revealing novel Epsilonproteobacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Sulfidic environments host diverse microbial communities that metabolize reduced sulfur compounds.
- Understanding microbial sulfur metabolism is crucial for comprehending biogeochemical cycles in these unique ecosystems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare microbial sulfur metabolic pathways in two distinct subterranean sulfidic streams.
- To identify the microbial taxa responsible for sulfur oxidation and characterize the genes involved.
Main Methods:
- Metagenomic analysis of microbial mat communities from Lower Kane Cave, WY, USA, and Glenwood Hot Springs, CO, USA.
- Assembly of unassembled and targeted recA gene sequences to determine microbial community composition.
- Analysis of genes encoding key sulfur oxidation enzymes, including sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) and thiosulfate oxidation (Sox) pathway genes.
Main Results:
- Microbial communities were dominated by Epsilonproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria, including novel epsilonproteobacterial groups.
- Sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) genes were abundant, but specific types and their taxonomic affiliations varied between sites.
- Thiosulfate oxidation (Sox) pathway genes were less abundant than SQR genes and appeared incomplete in all samples.
Conclusions:
- Significant variations exist in sulfur metabolism pathways within and between microbial groups in these sulfidic streams.
- The study highlights the presence of previously uncharacterized epsilonproteobacterial lineages involved in sulfur cycling.
- Findings provide insights into the functional diversity of microbial sulfur metabolism in subterranean ecosystems.
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