Microbial consumption of zero-valence sulfur in marine benthic habitats.
Environ Microbiol
; 16(11): 3416-30, 2014 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24467476
ABSTRACT
Zero-valence sulfur (S°) is a central intermediate in the marine sulfur cycle and forms conspicuous accumulations at sediment surfaces, hydrothermal vents and in oxygen minimum zones. Diverse microorganisms can utilize S°, but those consuming S° in the environment are largely unknown. We identified possible key players in S° turnover on native or introduced S° in benthic coastal and deep-sea habitats using the 16S ribosomal RNA approach, (in situ) growth experiments and activity measurements. In all habitats, the epsilonproteobacterial Sulfurimonas/Sulfurovum group accounted for a substantial fraction of the microbial community. Deltaproteobacterial Desulfobulbaceae and Desulfuromonadales were also frequently detected, indicating S° disproportionation and S° respiration under anoxic conditions. Sulfate production from S° particles colonized in situ with Sulfurimonas/Sulfurovum suggested that this group oxidized S°. We also show that the type strain Sulfurimonas denitrificans is able to access cyclooctasulfur (S8), a metabolic feature not yet demonstrated for sulfur oxidizers. The ability to oxidize S°, in particular S8 , likely facilitates niche partitioning among sulfur oxidizers in habitats with intense microbial sulfur cycling such as sulfidic sediment surfaces. Our results underscore the previously overlooked but central role of Sulfurimonas/Sulfurovum group for conversion of free S° at the seafloor surface.
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Agua de Mar
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Azufre
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Ecosistema
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Deltaproteobacteria
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Epsilonproteobacteria
Idioma:
En
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article