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Visualizing Methane-Cycling Microbial Dynamics in Coastal Wetlands
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Crenothrix are major methane consumers in stratified lakes
Kirsten Oswald1,2, Jon S Graf3, Sten Littmann3
1Department of Surface Waters-Research and Management, Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Kastanienbaum, Switzerland.
The ISME Journal
|June 7, 2017
Summary
Filamentous bacteria, previously known as contaminants, are significant methane oxidizers in lakes. These microbes play a crucial role in removing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from stratified freshwater environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Biogeochemistry
- Greenhouse gas mitigation
Background:
- Methane-oxidizing bacteria are key biological sinks for methane, mitigating its greenhouse gas potential.
- The environmental role of filamentous gamma-proteobacteria, such as Crenothrix polyspora, in methane removal has been unclear.
- Previous studies misidentified the methane monooxygenase (MMO) in these bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of filamentous gamma-proteobacteria in methane oxidation in stratified freshwater lakes.
- To correct the taxonomic and functional assignment of methane monooxygenase (MMO) in Crenothrix.
- To determine the growth conditions and metabolic capabilities of lacustrine Crenothrix.
Main Methods:
- Genomic analysis to identify methane monooxygenase (MMO) genes.
- Stable isotope labeling combined with single-cell imaging mass spectrometry.
- Assessment of metabolic pathways for oxygen respiration and nitrate reduction.
Main Results:
- Filamentous gamma-proteobacteria related to Crenothrix polyspora substantially oxidize upward-diffusing methane in stratified lakes.
- Crenothrix encode a typical gamma-proteobacterial pmoA gene, correcting previous MMO assignments.
- Methane-dependent growth was observed under both oxygenated and oxygen-deficient conditions, with nitrate reduction pathways present.
Conclusions:
- Lacustrine Crenothrix are significant methanotrophs in stratified lakes, contributing to environmental methane removal.
- These bacteria possess versatile metabolic capabilities, including growth in low-oxygen environments.
- Crenothrix should be considered in models of methane cycling and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
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