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Collection, Isolation and Enrichment of Naturally Occurring Magnetotactic Bacteria from the Environment
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Methanotrophy across a natural permafrost thaw environment
Caitlin M Singleton1, Carmody K McCalley2, Ben J Woodcroft1
1Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
The ISME Journal
|June 30, 2018
Summary
Permafrost thaw releases methane, but methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) mitigate this. This study reveals how thaw impacts these crucial microbes and their methane-moderating abilities in Arctic mire ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Biogeochemistry
- Arctic science
Background:
- Permafrost stores vast amounts of carbon, and its thaw releases greenhouse gases like methane.
- Methanotrophs are critical for oxidizing methane, reducing its atmospheric emission, but their role in thawing permafrost is poorly understood.
- Previous studies have not investigated methanotroph communities across a natural permafrost thaw gradient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of permafrost thaw on methanotroph community composition and activity.
- To characterize methanotrophs in different stages of thaw in Stordalen Mire, Sweden.
- To understand the relationship between methanotrophs, biogeochemistry, and methane oxidation across a thaw gradient.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 188 metagenomes and 24 metatranscriptomes from permafrost active layer samples.
- Paired analysis with in situ biogeochemical data, including porewater stable isotopes (δ13C-CH4).
- Recovery of 13 methanotroph population genomes, including novel taxa.
Main Results:
- Methanotroph community structure and activity significantly differed across intact permafrost, partially thawed bog, and fully thawed fen stages.
- Two novel USCα group genomes and a novel Hyphomicrobiaceae genome were identified.
- Methane oxidation rates were highest below the oxic-anoxic interface in the bog, correlating with methanotroph abundance and isotopic data.
Conclusions:
- Permafrost thaw directly alters autochthonous methanotroph communities.
- Changes in methanotroph population structure and activity influence methane moderation potential in thawing permafrost.
- Understanding these microbial dynamics is crucial for predicting future climate change impacts.
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