Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy
(1) Background: Microbial communities in terrestrial, calcifying high-alkaline springs are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the structure and composition of microbial mats in ultrabasic (pH 10–12) serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif (Italy). (2) Methods: Along with analysis o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/1/62 |
| _version_ | 1797543263400361984 |
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| author | Aysha Kamran Kathrin Sauter Andreas Reimer Theresa Wacker Joachim Reitner Michael Hoppert |
| author_facet | Aysha Kamran Kathrin Sauter Andreas Reimer Theresa Wacker Joachim Reitner Michael Hoppert |
| author_sort | Aysha Kamran |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | (1) Background: Microbial communities in terrestrial, calcifying high-alkaline springs are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the structure and composition of microbial mats in ultrabasic (pH 10–12) serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif (Italy). (2) Methods: Along with analysis of chemical and mineralogical parameters, environmental DNA was extracted and subjected to analysis of microbial communities based upon next-generation sequencing. (3) Results: Mineral precipitation and microbialite formation occurred, along with mat formation. Analysis of the serpentinite spring microbial community, based on Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons, point to the relevance of alkaliphilic cyanobacteria, colonizing carbonate buildups. Cyanobacterial groups accounted for up to 45% of all retrieved sequences; 3–4 taxa were dominant, belonging to the filamentous groups of Leptolyngbyaceae, Oscillatoriales, and Pseudanabaenaceae. The cyanobacterial community found at these sites is clearly distinct from creek water sediment, highlighting their specific adaptation to these environments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:43:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9e1ad251a7b4ffd9b5739e110bed076 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:43:02Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9e1ad251a7b4ffd9b5739e110bed0762023-11-21T02:54:45ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072020-12-01916210.3390/microorganisms9010062Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, ItalyAysha Kamran0Kathrin Sauter1Andreas Reimer2Theresa Wacker3Joachim Reitner4Michael Hoppert5Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 8, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 8, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyGöttingen Centre of Geosciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 8, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyGöttingen Centre of Geosciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, GermanyInstitute of Microbiology and Genetics, University of Göttingen, Grisebachstraße 8, 37077 Göttingen, Germany(1) Background: Microbial communities in terrestrial, calcifying high-alkaline springs are not well understood. In this study, we investigate the structure and composition of microbial mats in ultrabasic (pH 10–12) serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif (Italy). (2) Methods: Along with analysis of chemical and mineralogical parameters, environmental DNA was extracted and subjected to analysis of microbial communities based upon next-generation sequencing. (3) Results: Mineral precipitation and microbialite formation occurred, along with mat formation. Analysis of the serpentinite spring microbial community, based on Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons, point to the relevance of alkaliphilic cyanobacteria, colonizing carbonate buildups. Cyanobacterial groups accounted for up to 45% of all retrieved sequences; 3–4 taxa were dominant, belonging to the filamentous groups of Leptolyngbyaceae, Oscillatoriales, and Pseudanabaenaceae. The cyanobacterial community found at these sites is clearly distinct from creek water sediment, highlighting their specific adaptation to these environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/1/62microbial diversitycyanobacteriaserpentinitealkaliphiliccarbonate |
| spellingShingle | Aysha Kamran Kathrin Sauter Andreas Reimer Theresa Wacker Joachim Reitner Michael Hoppert Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy Microorganisms microbial diversity cyanobacteria serpentinite alkaliphilic carbonate |
| title | Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy |
| title_full | Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy |
| title_fullStr | Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy |
| title_short | Cyanobacterial Mats in Calcite-Precipitating Serpentinite-Hosted Alkaline Springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy |
| title_sort | cyanobacterial mats in calcite precipitating serpentinite hosted alkaline springs of the voltri massif italy |
| topic | microbial diversity cyanobacteria serpentinite alkaliphilic carbonate |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/1/62 |
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