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Functional redundancy imparts process stability to acidic Fe(II)-oxidizing microbial reactors.

Diana Ayala-Muñoz1, Rachel L Simister2, Sean A Crowe2,3

  • 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 212 Sackett Building, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA.

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Multiple microbial Fe(II)-oxidizing populations co-existed in lab reactors due to distinct metabolic potential and biofilm formation. This functional redundancy enhanced process stability in low pH environments.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbial Ecology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Environmental Microbiology

Background:

  • Lab-scale reactors studying microbial iron(II) oxidation at low pH showed stable rates across varying conditions.
  • The stirred reactor environment, which minimizes natural spatial and temporal variations, surprisingly supported diverse microbial communities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the reasons behind the co-existence of multiple autotrophic iron(II)-oxidizing taxa in controlled reactor environments.
  • Determine the metabolic potential differences among co-existing taxa regarding iron oxidation, carbon fixation, nutrient acquisition, and biofilm formation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized metagenomic analyses to assess the metabolic capabilities of microbial communities within the reactors.
  • Examined differences in pathways for iron(II) oxidation and carbon fixation.
  • Investigated substrate acquisition strategies and biofilm formation potential.

Main Results:

  • Metagenomic analysis revealed distinct metabolic potentials among co-existing iron(II)-oxidizing taxa.
  • Differences were observed in iron oxidation pathways, carbon fixation, nutrient acquisition, and biofilm formation.
  • Biofilms were found to create distinct geochemical niches, enabling co-existence.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct metabolic potentials drive the long-term co-existence of multiple autotrophic iron(II)-oxidizing populations by enabling differential growth on limiting resources (N, P, O2).
  • Biofilms play a critical role in establishing micro-niches that facilitate the co-existence of diverse taxa within the same apparent metabolic niche.
  • Functional redundancy across co-existing taxa contributes to the overall stability of microbial processes in these reactors.