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Nitrite accumulation and anammox bacterial niche partitioning in Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge sediments
Rui Zhao1, Andrew R Babbin2, Desiree L Roerdink3
1Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. rzh041@mit.edu.
ISME Communications
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Anammox bacteria play a key role in marine nitrogen cycling. This study reveals nitrite accumulation in sediments is linked to anammox bacteria distribution and niche partitioning, impacting nitrogen cycling.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Biogeochemistry
- Environmental science
Background:
- Anammox bacteria are crucial for nitrogen cycling in marine sediments.
- Their distribution and impact on nitrite, a key substrate, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate anammox bacteria distribution and nitrite accumulation in Arctic marine sediments.
- To understand the niche partitioning of anammox bacteria and its relation to ammonium availability.
Main Methods:
- Biogeochemical analysis
- Microbiological enumeration
- Genomic reconstruction of dominant anammox bacteria
Main Results:
- Nitrite accumulation was observed in Arctic marine sediments, coinciding with reduced anammox bacteria abundance.
- Anammox bacteria showed niche partitioning between two families, linked to ammonium availability.
- Genomic analysis revealed differences in ammonium transport and substrate utilization between anammox species.
Conclusions:
- Anammox bacteria distribution and niche partitioning influence nitrite accumulation in marine sediments.
- Understanding these dynamics is vital for comprehending marine nitrogen cycling.
- Specific genomic features dictate anammox bacteria adaptation to varying ammonium concentrations.
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