From acidophilic to ornithogenic: microbial community dynamics in moss banks altered by gentoo penguins.

Introduction: The study explores the indirect impact of climate change driven by gentoo's penguin colonization pressure on the microbial communities of moss banks formed by Tall moss turf subformation in central maritime Antarctica. Methods: Microbial communities and chemical composition of the differently affected moss banks (Unaffected, Impacted and Desolated) located on Galindez Island and Сape Tuxen on the mainland of Kyiv Peninsula were analyzed. Results: The native microbiota of the moss banks' peat was analyzed for the first time, revealing a predominant presence of Acidobacteria (32.2 ± 14.4%), followed by Actinobacteria (15.1 ± 4.0%) and Alphaproteobacteria (9.7 ± 4.1%). Penguin colonization and subsequent desolation of moss banks resulted in an increase in peat pH (from 4.7 ± 0.05 to 7.2 ± 0.6) and elevated concentrations of soluble nitrogen (from 1.8 ± 0.4 to 46.9 ± 2.1 DIN, mg/kg) and soluble phosphorus compounds (from 3.6 ± 2.6 to 20.0 ± 1.8 DIP, mg/kg). The contrasting composition of peat and penguin feces led to the elimination of the initial peat microbiota, with an increase in Betaproteobacteria (from 1.3 ± 0.8% to 30.5 ± 23%) and Bacteroidota (from 5.5 ± 3.7% to 19.0 ± 3.7%) proportional to the intensity of penguins' impact, accompanied by a decrease in community diversity. Microbial taxa associated with birds' guts, such as Gottschalkia and Tissierella, emerged in Impacted and Desolated moss banks, along with bacteria likely benefiting from eutrophication. The changes in the functional capacity of the penguin-affected peat microbial communities were also detected. The nitrogen-cycling genes that regulate the conversion of urea into ammonia, nitrite oxide, and nitrate oxide (ureC, amoA, nirS, nosZ, nxrB) had elevated copy numbers in the affected peat. Desolated peat samples exhibit the highest nitrogen-cycle gene numbers, significantly differing from Unaffected peat (p < 0.05). Discussion: The expansion of gentoo penguins induced by climate change led to the replacement of acidophilic microbiomes associated with moss banks, shaping a new microbial community influenced by penguin guano's chemical and microbial composition.

Passive-Sampler-Derived PCB and OCP Concentrations in the Waters of the World─First Results from the AQUA-GAPS/MONET Network.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized as pollutants of global concern, but so far, information on the trends of legacy POPs in the waters of the world has been missing due to logistical, analytical, and financial reasons. Passive samplers have emerged as an attractive alternative to active water sampling methods as they accumulate POPs, represent time-weighted average concentrations, and can easily be shipped and deployed. As part of the AQUA-GAPS/MONET, passive samplers were deployed at 40 globally distributed sites between 2016 and 2020, for a total of 21 freshwater and 40 marine deployments. Results from silicone passive samplers showed α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and γ-HCH displaying the greatest concentrations in the northern latitudes/Arctic Ocean, in stark contrast to the more persistent penta (PeCB)- and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which approached equilibrium across sampling sites. Geospatial patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) aqueous concentrations closely matched original estimates of production and use, implying limited global transport. Positive correlations between log-transformed concentrations of Σ7PCB, ΣDDTs, Σendosulfan, and Σchlordane, but not ΣHCH, and the log of population density (p < 0.05) within 5 and 10 km of the sampling sites also supported limited transport from used sites. These results help to understand the extent of global distribution, and eventually time-trends, of organic pollutants in aquatic systems, such as across freshwaters and oceans. Future deployments will aim to establish time-trends at selected sites while adding to the geographical coverage.

Antarctic Hairgrass Rhizosphere Microbiomes: Microscale Effects Shape Diversity, Structure, and Function.

The rhizosphere microbiome of the native Antarctic hairgrass Deschampsia antarctica from the central maritime Antarctic was investigated using 16S RNA metagenomics and compared to those of the second native Antarctic plant Colobanthus quitensis and closely related temperate D. cespitosa. The rhizosphere microbial communities of D. antarctica and D. cespitosa had high taxon richness, while that of C. quitensis had markedly lower diversity. The majority of bacteria in the rhizosphere communities of the hairgrass were affiliated to Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. The rhizosphere of C. quitensis was dominated by Actinobacteria. All microbial communities included high proportions of unique amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and there was high heterogeneity between samples at the ASV level. The soil parameters examined did not explain this heterogeneity. Bacteria belonging to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were sensitive to fluctuations in the soil surface temperature. The values of the United Soil Surface Temperature Influence Index (UTII, Iti) showed that variations in most microbial communities from Galindez Island were associated with microscale variations in temperature. Metabolic predictions in silico using PICRUSt 2.0, based on the taxonomically affiliated part of the microbiomes, showed similarities with the rhizosphere community of D. antarctica in terms of the predicted functional repertoire. The results obtained indicate that these communities are involved in the primary processes of soil development (particularly the degradation of lignin and lignin-derived compounds) in the central maritime Antarctic and may be beneficial for the growth of Antarctic vascular plants. However, due to the limitations associated with interpreting PICRUSt 2.0 outputs, these predictions need to be verified experimentally.

Bacterial communities of the Black Sea exhibit activity against persistent organic pollutants in the water column and sediments.

The ability of bacteria to degrade organic pollutants influences their fate in the environment, impact on the other biota and accumulation in the food web. The aim of this study was to evaluate abundance and expression activity of the catabolic genes targeting widespread pollutants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachloro-cyclohexane (HCH) in the Black Sea water column and sediments. Concentrations of PAHs, PCBs and HCH were determined by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) and electron capture (ECD) detectors. bphA1, PAH-RHDα, nahAc, linA and linB that encode biphenyl 2,3 dioxygenase, α-subunits of ring hydroxylating dioxygenases, naphthalene dioxygenase, dehydrochlorinase and halidohydrolase correspondently were quantified by quantitative PCR. More recalcitrant PAHs, PCBs and HCH tended to accumulate in the Black Sea environments. In water samples, 3- and 4-ringed PAHs outnumbered naphthalene, while PAHs with > 4 rings prevailed in the sediments. Congeners with 4-8 chlorines with ortho-position of the substituents were the most abundant among the PCBs. ß-HCH was determined at highest concentration in water samples, and total amount of HCH exceeded its legacy Environmental Quality Standard value. bphA1, was the most numerous gene in water layers (105 copies/mL) and sediments (105 copies/mg), followed by linB and PAH-RHDα genes (103 copies/mL; 105 copies/mg). The least abundant genes were linA (103 copies/mL; 104 copies/mg) and nahAc (102 copies/mL; 104 copies/mg). The most widely distributed gene bphА1 was one of the least expressed (10-3-10-2 copies/mL; 10-1 copies/mg). The most actively expressed genes were linB (101-102 copies/mL; 103 copies/mg), PAH-RHDα (101 copies/mL; 102 copies/mg) and linA (10-1-100 copies/mL; 100 copies/mg). Interaction of bacteria with PAHs, PCBs and HCH is evidenced by high copy numbers of the catabolic genes that initiate their degradation. More persistent compounds, such as high-molecular weight PAHs or ß-HCH are accumulating in the Black Sea water and sediments, albeit microbial activity is directed against them.

Niche partitioning of bacterial communities along the stratified water column in the Black Sea.

The Black Sea is the largest semi-closed permanently anoxic basin on our planet with long-term stratification. The study aimed at describing the Black Sea microbial community taxonomic and functional composition within the range of depths spanning across oxic/anoxic interface, and to uncover the factors behind both their vertical and regional differentiation. 16S rRNA gene MiSeq sequencing was applied to get the data on microbial community taxonomy, and the PICRUSt pipeline was used to infer their functional profile. The normoxic zone was mainly inhabited by primary producers and heterotrophic prokaryotes (e.g., Flavobacteriaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, Synechococcaceae) whereas the euxinic zone-by heterotrophic and chemoautotrophic taxa (e.g., MSBL2, Piscirickettsiaceae, and Desulfarculaceae). Assimilatory sulfate reduction and oxygenic photosynthesis were prevailing within the normoxic zone, while the role of nitrification, dissimilatory sulfate reduction, and anoxygenic photosynthesis increased in the oxygen-depleted water column part. Regional differentiation of microbial communities between the Ukrainian shelf and offshore zone was detected as well, yet it was significantly less pronounced than the vertical one. It is suggested that regional differentiation within a well-oxygenated zone is driven by the difference in phytoplankton communities providing various substrates for the prokaryotes, whereas redox stratification is the main driving force behind microbial community vertical structure.

Soil Sample Preservation Strategy Affects the Microbial Community Structure.

Sample preservation is a critical procedure in any research that relies on molecular tools and is conducted in remote areas. Sample preservation options include low and room temperature storage, which require freezing equipment and specific buffering solutions, respectively. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether DNA/RNA Shield 1x from Zymo Research and DESS (Dimethyl sulfoxide, Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, Saturated Salt) solution performed similarly to snap freezing in liquid nitrogen. Soil samples were stored for 1 month in each of the buffers and without any solution at a range of temperatures: -20, +4, and +23°C. All treatments were compared to the "optimal treatment", namely, snap freezing in liquid nitrogen. The quality and quantity of DNA were analyzed, and the microbial community structure was investigated in all samples. The results obtained indicated that the quantity and integrity of DNA was preserved well in all samples; however, the taxonomic distribution was skewed in samples stored without any solution at ambient temperatures, particularly when analyses were performed at lower taxonomic levels. Although both solutions performed equally well, sequencing output and OTU numbers in DESS-treated samples were closer to those snap frozen with liquid nitrogen. Furthermore, DNA/RNA Shield-stored samples performed better for the preservation of rare taxa.

Holistic pelagic biodiversity monitoring of the Black Sea via eDNA metabarcoding approach: From bacteria to marine mammals.

As the largest semi-closed marine ecosystem in the world, the Black Sea has been heavily affected by human activities for a long time. Describing the biodiversity of multi-trophic biota in pelagic zone of the Black Sea and identifying the dominant environmental factors are prerequisites for protecting the sustainability of ecosystems. However, up to now, the taxonomic and distributional information about the Black Sea biota is not clear. Here, we employed a Tree-of-Life metabarcoding to analyze the biodiversity of eight communities in the Black Sea, investigated their biogeographical distribution, and further analyzed the influence of biological and abiotic factors on biota on large scales. We found that, (1) Over 8900 OTUs were detected in the Black Sea, of which 630 species were identified, covering the holistic biota from single-celled (bacteria 5620 OTUs 141 species; algae 1096 OTUs 185 species; protozoa 546 OTUs 146 species) to multicellular organisms (invertebrate metazoans 150 OTUs 34 species; fishes 1369 OTUs 76 species; large marine mammals 39 OTUs 5 species). (2) Higher trophic organisms (fishes and large mammals) distributed more evenly in space than the lower (microorganisms, protozoa and invertebrates). For lower trophic organisms, the vertical stratification was more obvious than the horizontal stratification (vertical p < 0.02, horizontal p < 0.05). (3) The bottom trophic organisms (bacteria and algae) of the food web significantly affected the distribution and composition of the others through biological interactions (Mantel p < 0.05). (4) At the level of abiotic factors, the effect of local species sorting on the composition of communities was 15% higher than that of mass dispersal effect. For the first time, this study monitored and profiled the holistic biodiversity in the pelagic zone of the Black Sea, and provided technological advances and preliminary knowledge for the ongoing Black Sea ecosystem protection efforts.