Microbiomes in an acidic rock-water cave system

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, second...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	FEMS microbiology letters Vol. 366; no. 13; pp. 1 - 11
Main Authors:	Burow, Katja, Grawunder, Anja, Harpke, Marie, Pietschmann, Sebastian, Ehrhardt, Ralf, Wagner, Ly sett, Voigt, Kerstin, Merten, Dirk, Buchel, Georg, Kothe, Erika
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Oxford University Press 01-07-2019
Subjects:	Caves Environmental aspects Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms) Rocks Water Germany
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	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 S[O.sup.2-.sub.4] 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.
ISSN:	0378-1097 1574-6968
DOI:	10.1093/femsle/fnzl67