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Daylight-driven carbon exchange through a vertically structured microbial community.

James J Moran1,2,3, Hans C Bernstein1,4,5, Jennifer M Mobberley1

  • 1Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, United States.

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|June 12, 2023
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial mats rapidly exchange carbon (C) between autotrophs and heterotrophs, especially during daylight. This study reveals diel cycles control C transfer timescales in these complex communities.

Keywords:
benthic microbial matcyanobacteriametaproteomicsmicrobial interactionsstable isotope

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Area of Science:

  • Microbial Ecology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Stable Isotope Geochemistry

Background:

  • Carbon (C) exchange between autotrophs and heterotrophs is vital for ecosystem function.
  • Understanding the timescales of C transfer in microbial communities is crucial but poorly understood.
  • Metabolite exchange is a key mechanism for C distribution in structured ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify photoautotrophic uptake of bicarbonate and track C exchange in a microbial mat.
  • To investigate the influence of diel cycles on C transfer dynamics.
  • To compare C exchange from inorganic versus organic substrates.

Main Methods:

  • Stable isotope tracer experiments using 13C-labeled bicarbonate.
  • Spatially resolved isotope analysis across a vertical depth gradient.
  • Metabolite and stable isotope proteomic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Carbon mobility was highest during active photoautotrophy, with rapid exchange between cyanobacteria and heterotrophs during the day.
  • 13C-labeled organic substrates showed less C exchange compared to bicarbonate.
  • 13C was rapidly incorporated into molecules facilitating C transport between microbial groups.

Conclusions:

  • Diel cycles strongly control the spatial and taxonomic redistribution of newly fixed carbon in microbial mats.
  • Daylight periods are critical for rapid C exchange and redistribution within these communities.
  • Metabolite exchange plays a significant role in mediating C transfer between autotrophs and heterotrophs.