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Microbiomes in an acidic rock-water cave system

FEMS Microbiology Letters, ISSN: 1574-6968, Vol: 366, Issue: 13
2019
  • 18
    Citations
  • 0
    Usage
  • 28
    Captures
  • 0
    Mentions
  • 25
    Social Media
Metric Options:   Counts1 Year3 Year

Metrics Details

  • Citations
    18
  • Captures
    28
  • Social Media
    25
    • Shares, Likes & Comments
      25
      • Facebook
        25

Article Description

Belowground ecosystems are accessible by mining, where a specific microbial community can be discovered. The biodiversity of a former alum mine rich in carbon, but with a low pH of 2.6-3.7, was evaluated by DNA- and cultivation-dependent methods using samples of the black slate rock material, secondary mineralization phases and seepage water. Pyrite oxidation within the low-grade metamorphic Silurian black slate established high concentrations of Fe and rmSO2 forming the extreme conditions visible with acidophilic and Fe-oxidizing microorganisms. In addition, an unexpected predominance of fungi in this C-rich and acidic cave ecosystem, including high numbers of Mucoromycota and Mortierellomycota, was detected. Therefore, fungal cultures were obtained, mainly from the secondary mineral phases that are iron phosphates. Hence, the fungi might well have been involved in phosphate mobilization there. The rock material itself is rich in organic carbon that can be used by oxidase activity. The cultivation setup mimicked the cave conditions (low temperature, low pH, oxic conditions), with one oligotrophic and one medium rich in nutrients that allowed for isolation of different fungal (and eutrophic bacterial) groups. The acidic conditions prevented the occurrence of many basidiomycetes, while the isolated fungi could survive these adverse conditions.

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