Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages.
Despite the importance of microbial activity in mobilizing arsenic in groundwater aquifers, the phylogenetic distribution of contributing microbial metabolisms is understudied. Groundwater samples from Ohio aquifers were analyzed using metagenomic sequencing to identify functional potential that cou...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2019-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221694 |
| _version_ | 1818584281506643968 |
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| author | Robert E Danczak Michael D Johnston Chris Kenah Michael Slattery Michael J Wilkins |
| author_facet | Robert E Danczak Michael D Johnston Chris Kenah Michael Slattery Michael J Wilkins |
| author_sort | Robert E Danczak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Despite the importance of microbial activity in mobilizing arsenic in groundwater aquifers, the phylogenetic distribution of contributing microbial metabolisms is understudied. Groundwater samples from Ohio aquifers were analyzed using metagenomic sequencing to identify functional potential that could drive arsenic cycling, and revealed mechanisms for direct (i.e., Ars system) and indirect (i.e., iron reduction) arsenic mobilization in all samples, despite differing geochemical conditions. Analyses of 194 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) revealed widespread functionality related to arsenic mobilization throughout the bacterial tree of life. While arsB and arsC genes (components of an arsenic resistance system) were found in diverse lineages with no apparent phylogenetic bias, putative aioA genes (aerobic arsenite oxidase) were predominantly identified in Methylocystaceae MAGs. Both previously described and undescribed respiratory arsenate reduction potential via arrA was detected in Betaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Nitrospirae MAGs, whereas sulfate reduction potential was primarily limited to members of the Deltaproteobacteria and Nitrospirae. Lastly, iron reduction potential was detected in the Ignavibacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Nitrospirae. These results expand the phylogenetic distribution of taxa that may play roles in arsenic mobilization in subsurface systems. Specifically, the Nitrospirae are a much more functionally diverse group than previously assumed and may play key biogeochemical roles in arsenic-contaminated ecosystems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T08:18:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1d58e177121e459dad21b6c43c007d71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1932-6203 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T08:18:41Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | PLoS ONE |
| spelling | doaj.art-1d58e177121e459dad21b6c43c007d712022-12-21T22:38:11ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032019-01-01149e022169410.1371/journal.pone.0221694Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages.Robert E DanczakMichael D JohnstonChris KenahMichael SlatteryMichael J WilkinsDespite the importance of microbial activity in mobilizing arsenic in groundwater aquifers, the phylogenetic distribution of contributing microbial metabolisms is understudied. Groundwater samples from Ohio aquifers were analyzed using metagenomic sequencing to identify functional potential that could drive arsenic cycling, and revealed mechanisms for direct (i.e., Ars system) and indirect (i.e., iron reduction) arsenic mobilization in all samples, despite differing geochemical conditions. Analyses of 194 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) revealed widespread functionality related to arsenic mobilization throughout the bacterial tree of life. While arsB and arsC genes (components of an arsenic resistance system) were found in diverse lineages with no apparent phylogenetic bias, putative aioA genes (aerobic arsenite oxidase) were predominantly identified in Methylocystaceae MAGs. Both previously described and undescribed respiratory arsenate reduction potential via arrA was detected in Betaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Nitrospirae MAGs, whereas sulfate reduction potential was primarily limited to members of the Deltaproteobacteria and Nitrospirae. Lastly, iron reduction potential was detected in the Ignavibacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, and Nitrospirae. These results expand the phylogenetic distribution of taxa that may play roles in arsenic mobilization in subsurface systems. Specifically, the Nitrospirae are a much more functionally diverse group than previously assumed and may play key biogeochemical roles in arsenic-contaminated ecosystems.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221694 |
| spellingShingle | Robert E Danczak Michael D Johnston Chris Kenah Michael Slattery Michael J Wilkins Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages. PLoS ONE |
| title | Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages. |
| title_full | Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages. |
| title_fullStr | Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages. |
| title_short | Capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages. |
| title_sort | capability for arsenic mobilization in groundwater is distributed across broad phylogenetic lineages |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221694 |
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