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Methane-Derived Carbon as a Driver for Cyanobacterial Growth
Slawek Cerbin1, Germán Pérez2, Michał Rybak3
1Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|April 18, 2022
Summary
Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) can fuel cyanobacterial blooms by providing carbon dioxide and organic compounds. This symbiotic relationship enhances growth for both microbes in freshwater ecosystems, with potential environmental impacts.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Aquatic Ecosystems
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) in freshwater ecosystems can convert methane into energy and carbon for the food web.
- MOB consortia with photoautotrophs are known, with MOB benefiting from oxygen produced by photoautotrophs, enhancing methane oxidation.
- Methane oxidation releases carbon dioxide and exometabolites, potentially influencing phytoplankton community structure, but their role in cyanobacterial blooms is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of MOB in supporting cyanobacterial growth and bloom development in freshwater systems.
- To test the hypothesis that MOB can serve as an alternative carbon source for cyanobacteria.
- To explore the bidirectional interactions between MOB and cyanobacteria.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of stable carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) in cyanobacterial blooms.
- Detection of metabolically active MOB on cyanobacterial filaments using FITC assay.
- PCR detection of the pmoA gene in cyanobacterial cultures.
- Co-culture experiments with Aphanizomenon gracile and Methylosinus sporium.
- 13C-CH4 labeled incubations to track metabolite assimilation.
Main Results:
- Low δ13C values in cyanobacterial blooms suggest the utilization of methane-derived carbon.
- Active MOB were confirmed on cyanobacterial filaments, with the pmoA gene present in cyanobacterial cultures.
- Co-culturing demonstrated significantly improved cyanobacterial growth with MOB, attributed to CO2 utilization.
- Cyanobacteria enhanced MOB growth under higher irradiance, indicating a bidirectional relationship.
- Uptake and assimilation of MOB-derived metabolites by cyanobacteria were confirmed.
Conclusions:
- MOB can support cyanobacterial growth in freshwater by providing CO2 and assimilated carbon metabolites.
- A symbiotic relationship exists between MOB and cyanobacteria, influencing bloom dynamics.
- The bidirectional interactions have potential, yet unknown, environmental consequences.
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