Community structure of subsurface biofilms in the thermal sulfidic caves ofAcquasanta Terme, Italy.
Appl Environ Microbiol
; 76(17): 5902-10, 2010 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20639361
ABSTRACT
We performed a microbial community analysis of biofilms inhabiting thermal (35 to 50 degrees C) waters more than 60 m below the ground surface near Acquasanta Terme, Italy. The groundwater hosting the biofilms has 400 to 830 microM sulfide, <10 microM O(2), pH of 6.3 to 6.7, and specific conductivity of 8,500 to 10,500 microS/cm. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene cloning and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), the biofilms have low species richness, and lithoautotrophic (or possibly mixotrophic) Gamma- and Epsilonproteobacteria are the principle biofilm architects. Deltaproteobacteria sequences retrieved from the biofilms have <90% 16S rRNA similarity to their closest relatives in public databases and may represent novel sulfate-reducing bacteria. The Acquasanta biofilms share few species in common with Frasassi cave biofilms (13 degrees C, 80 km distant) but have a similar community structure, with representatives in the same major clades. The ecological success of Sulfurovumales-group Epsilonproteobacteria in the Acquasanta biofilms is consistent with previous observations of their dominance in sulfidic cave waters with turbulent water flow and high dissolved sulfide/oxygen ratios.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sulfides
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Bacteria
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Water
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Biofilms
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Hot Springs
/
Biota
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Appl Environ Microbiol
Year:
2010
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States