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Microbial N2O Reduction in Sulfidic Waters: Implications for Proterozoic Oceans.

Steffen Buessecker1, Aya S Klos2, Melanie E Quan1

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Area of Science:

  • Geochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Paleoceanography

Background:

  • Ocean redox and trace metal bioavailability influence microbial activity.
  • Previous hypotheses suggested limited copper (Cu) bioavailability in Proterozoic oceans suppressed microbial nitrous oxide (N2O) reduction.
  • This suppression was thought to make Proterozoic oceans a significant source of N2O.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the paradigm of N2O production in Proterozoic oceans.
  • To investigate microbial N2O reduction potential under conditions analogous to the Proterozoic.
  • To assess copper bioavailability in ancient, sulfidic marine environments.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of environmental metatranscriptomes to detect nosZ gene transcripts.
  • Controlled culture experiments with Rhodopseudomonas palustris.
  • Trace metal speciation modeling to determine copper bioavailability.

Main Results:

  • nosZ transcripts, indicating N2O reduction, were found in environments with Proterozoic-like sulfide and Cu levels.
  • Rhodopseudomonas palustris demonstrated N2O reduction at sulfide concentrations exceeding predicted Proterozoic levels.
  • Copper remained bioavailable as a dissolved CuHS0 complex under modeled Proterozoic conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial N2O reduction can occur in euxinic (sulfidic) waters.
  • Proterozoic marine N2O emissions were likely lower than previously estimated.
  • Findings impact understanding of microbial ecology, early climate, and astrobiology.