Evolution of Thermophilic Microbial Communities from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Chimney under Electrolithoautotrophic Conditions with Nitrate

Type Article
Date 2021-12
Language English
Author(s) Pillot Guillaume1, Amin Ali Oulfat1, Davidson Sylvain1, Shintu Laetitia2, Combet-Blanc Yannick1, Godfroy AnneORCID3, Bonin Patricia1, Liebgott Pierre-PolORCID1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Aix Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS, IRD, MIO UM 110, 13288 Marseille, France
2 : Aix Marseille Université, CNRS Centrale Marseille, iSm2, 13284 Marseille, France
3 : Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS, IFREMER, 29280 Plouzané, France
Source Microorganisms (2076-2607) (MDPI AG), 2021-12 , Vol. 9 , N. 12 , P. 2475 (17p.)
DOI 10.3390/microorganisms9122475
WOS© Times Cited 6
Note This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Extremophiles in Hydrothermal Environments
Keyword(s) microbial electrochemical systems, electroautotrophy, thermophily, deep-sea hydrothermal vent, nitrate
Abstract

Recent studies have shown the presence of an abiotic electrical current across the walls of deep-sea hydrothermal chimneys, allowing the growth of electroautotrophic microbial communities. To understand the role of the different phylogenetic groups and metabolisms involved, this study focused on electrotrophic enrichment with nitrate as electron acceptor. The biofilm density, community composition, production of organic compounds, and electrical consumption were monitored by FISH confocal microscopy, qPCR, metabarcoding, NMR, and potentiostat measurements. A statistical analysis by PCA showed the correlation between the different parameters (qPCR, organic compounds, and electron acceptors) in three distinct temporal phases. In our conditions, the Archaeoglobales have been shown to play a key role in the development of the community as the first colonizers on the cathode and the first producers of organic compounds, which are then used as an organic source by heterotrophs. Finally, through subcultures of the community, we showed the development of a greater biodiversity over time. This observed phenomenon could explain the biodiversity development in hydrothermal contexts, where energy sources are transient and unstable.

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How to cite 

Pillot Guillaume, Amin Ali Oulfat, Davidson Sylvain, Shintu Laetitia, Combet-Blanc Yannick, Godfroy Anne, Bonin Patricia, Liebgott Pierre-Pol (2021). Evolution of Thermophilic Microbial Communities from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Chimney under Electrolithoautotrophic Conditions with Nitrate. Microorganisms, 9(12), 2475 (17p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9122475 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00738/85020/