Modes of carbon fixation in an arsenic and CO2-rich shallow hydrothermal ecosystem

Type Article
Date 2017-10
Language English
Author(s) Callac NolwennORCID1, Posth Nicole R.2, 7, Rattray Jayne E.1, Yamoah Kweku K. Y.1, Wiech Alan1, Ivarsson Magnus3, Hemmingsson ChristofferORCID1, Kilias Stephanos P.4, Argyraki Ariadne4, Broman Curt1, Skogby Henrik5, Smittenberg Rienk H.1, Fru Ernest Chi1, 6
Affiliation(s) 1 : Stockholm University, Department of Geological Sciences and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden
2 : Nordcee, Department of Biology-University of Southern Denmark Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark
3 : Department of Palaeobiology and Nordic Center for Earth Evolution, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
4 : Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, Section of Economic Geology and Geochemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zographou, 157 84, Athens, Greece
5 : Department of Geosciences, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
6 : School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
7 : Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management – IGN University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade, 10 1350, København K, Denmark
Source Scientific Reports (2045-2322) (Nature Publishing Group), 2017-10 , Vol. 7 , P. 14708 (14p.)
DOI 10.1038/s41598-017-13910-2
WOS© Times Cited 8
Abstract

The seafloor sediments of Spathi Bay, Milos Island, Greece, are part of the largest arsenic-CO2-rich shallow submarine hydrothermal ecosystem on Earth. Here, white and brown deposits cap chemically distinct sediments with varying hydrothermal influence. All sediments contain abundant genes for autotrophic carbon fixation used in the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) and reverse tricaboxylic acid (rTCA) cycles. Both forms of RuBisCO, together with ATP citrate lyase genes in the rTCA cycle, increase with distance from the active hydrothermal centres and decrease with sediment depth. Clustering of RuBisCO Form II with a highly prevalent Zetaproteobacteria 16S rRNA gene density infers that ironoxidizing bacteria contribute significantly to the sediment CBB cycle gene content. Three clusters form from different microbial guilds, each one encompassing one gene involved in CO2 fixation, aside from sulfate reduction. Our study suggests that the microbially mediated CBB cycle drives carbon fixation in the Spathi Bay sediments that are characterized by diffuse hydrothermal activity, high CO2, As emissions and chemically reduced fluids. This study highlights the breadth of conditions influencing the biogeochemistry in shallow CO2-rich hydrothermal systems and the importance of coupling highly specific process indicators to elucidate the complexity of carbon cycling in these ecosystems.

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Callac Nolwenn, Posth Nicole R., Rattray Jayne E., Yamoah Kweku K. Y., Wiech Alan, Ivarsson Magnus, Hemmingsson Christoffer, Kilias Stephanos P., Argyraki Ariadne, Broman Curt, Skogby Henrik, Smittenberg Rienk H., Fru Ernest Chi (2017). Modes of carbon fixation in an arsenic and CO2-rich shallow hydrothermal ecosystem. Scientific Reports, 7, 14708 (14p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13910-2 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00860/97163/