Methanogens Are Major Contributors to Nitrogen Fixation in Soils of the Florida Everglades

Light-Independent Fe3O4-Methanosarcina acetivorans Biohybrid Enhances Nitrogen Fixation and Methanogenesis

Biohybrid systems that integrate microorganisms with nanomaterials have emerged as promising solutions for sustainable nitrogen fixation. However, key challenges, such as the dependence on light and the vulnerability of nitrogenase to oxidative damage, have limited their application. Here, we report a novel, light-independent biohybrid system integrating Fe3O4 nanoparticles with Methanosarcina acetivorans C2A, resulting in a significant enhancement of both nitrogen fixation activity and methane production. Fe3O4 nanoparticles facilitate directional electron transfer, thereby enhancing methanogenesis and nitrogenase function. Furthermore, the biohybrid system enhances adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis through improved electron flow along membrane-bound electron chains, further supporting nitrogenase activity. Our findings provide a new strategy for advancing nitrogen fixation in archaea, offering an efficient and sustainable approach for biological nitrogen fixation without reliance on solar energy.

Temporal dynamics of soil microbial C and N cycles with GHG fluxes in the transition from tropical peatland forest to oil palm plantation

Tropical peatlands significantly influence local and global carbon and nitrogen cycles, yet they face growing pressure from anthropogenic activities. Land use changes, such as peatland forests conversion to oil palm plantations, affect the soil microbiome and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the temporal dynamics of microbial community changes and their role as GHG indicators are not well understood. This study examines the dynamics of peat chemistry, soil microbial communities, and GHG emissions from 2016 to 2020 in a logged-over secondary peat swamp forest in Sarawak, Malaysia, which transitioned to an oil palm plantation. This study focuses on changes in genetic composition governing plant litter degradation, methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes. Soil CO2 emission increased (doubling from approximately 200 mg C m-2 h-1), while CH4 emissions decreased (from 200 µg C m-2 h-1 to slightly negative) following land use changes. The N2O emissions in the oil palm plantation reached approximately 1,510 µg N m-2 h-1, significantly higher than previous land uses. The CH4 fluxes were driven by groundwater table, humification levels, and C:N ratio, with Methanomicrobia populations dominating methanogenesis and Methylocystis as the main CH4 oxidizer. The N2O fluxes correlated with groundwater table, total nitrogen, and C:N ratio with dominant nirK-type denitrifiers (13-fold nir to nosZ) and a minor role by nitrification (a threefold increase in amoA) in the plantation. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria encoding incomplete denitrification genes potentially impact N2O emissions. These findings highlighted complex interactions between microbial communities and environmental factors influencing GHG fluxes in altered tropical peatland ecosystems.IMPORTANCETropical peatlands are carbon-rich environments that release significant amounts of greenhouse gases when drained or disturbed. This study assesses the impact of land use change on a secondary tropical peat swamp forest site converted into an oil palm plantation. The transformation lowered groundwater levels and changed soil properties. Consequently, the oil palm plantation site released higher carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide compared to previous land uses. As microbial communities play crucial roles in carbon and nitrogen cycles, this study identified environmental factors associated with microbial diversity, including genes and specific microbial groups related to nitrous oxide and methane emissions. Understanding the factors driving microbial composition shifts and greenhouse gas emissions in tropical peatlands provides baseline information to potentially mitigate environmental consequences of land use change, leading to a broader impact on climate change mitigation efforts and proper land management practices.

Quantitative analysis of amino acid excretion by Methanothermobacter marburgensis under N2-fixing conditions

Methanogenic archaea (methanogens) possess fascinating metabolic characteristics, such as the ability to fix molecular nitrogen (N2). Methanogens are of biotechnological importance due to the ability to produce methane (CH4) from molecular hydrogen (H2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) and to excrete proteinogenic amino acids. This study focuses on analyzing the link between biological methanogenesis and amino acid excretion under N2-fixing conditions. Among five hydrogenotrophic, autotrophic methanogens, Methanothermobacter marburgensis was prioritized and further cultivated in closed batch cultivation mode under N2-fixing conditions. M. marburgensis was grown on chemically defined minimal medium with different concentrations of ammonium in a H2/CO2/N2 atmosphere. This enabled the quantification of ammonia uptake, N2-fixation, amino acid excretion and the conversion of H2/CO2 to CH4. To quantify N2-fixation rates in a mass balance setting a novel method has been established. The method utilizes the pressure drop below a certain threshold pressure in closed batch cultivation mode - the threshold pressure for N2-fixation (THpN2fix). Using the THpN2fix method, volumetric N2-fixation rates of M. marburgensis as high as 0.91 mmol L-1 h-1 were determined. Excretion of amino acids was found with highest detected values of glutamic acid, alanine, glycine and asparagine. The highest total amino acid excretion of 7.5 µmol L-1 h-1 was detected with H2/CO2/N2 at an ammonium concentration of 40 mmol L-1. This study sheds light on the link between methanogenesis, biological N2-fixation, and proteinogenic amino acid excretion. The concomitant production of amino acids and CH4 could become of biotechnological relevance in an integrated approach coupling biomethanation and N2-fixation in a biorefinery concept.

Bioremediation of nitrate in agricultural drainage ditches: Impacts of low-grade weirs on microbiomes and nitrogen cycle gene abundance

Artificial drainage is essential for the success of modern agriculture, but it can also accelerate the movement of nutrients, especially nitrate, from soil to surrounding and downstream water bodies. Removal of nitrate from agricultural drainage by using controlled drainage systems, such as ditches installed with low-grade weirs, has been shown to help reduce nutrient loading into watersheds. However, the effect of low-grade weirs varies greatly, likely due to the differences in climate, system designs (e.g., hydraulic characteristics), and the resulting variation in microbial structures and functions in the ditch. In this study, we analyzed the temporal and spatial dynamics of microbiomes in a paired ditch system with weir-installed and uninstalled (control) channels over two years by using the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and the high-throughput quantitative PCR targeting various N cycle-associated genes [the Nitrogen Cycle Evaluation (NiCE) chip]. The installation of the low-grade weir had a significant impact on the microbiome structure and the distribution of denitrifiers. Microbiome structures also differed significantly between the ditch inlets and the outlets. Denitrification functional genes were more abundant in the inlets than in the other locations and in the channel installed with a low-grade weir. Additionally, oxygenic denitrifiers that use nitric oxide dismutase (nod) to produce N2 and O2 gases from nitric oxide were detected in the ditch channels, suggesting the occurrence of nitrate removal process that bypasses the production of nitrous oxide (N2O). The ditch microbiomes sampled during high-flow seasons (i.e., spring and fall) exhibited greater similarity to each other than microbiomes sampled during low-flow seasons (i.e., summer). Taken together, this study indicates that the low-grade weirs have the potential to foster a more favorable environment for denitrifiers, resulting in an increase in the abundance of denitrification functional genes. These findings could offer valuable insights into system management and optimization strategies.

Nitrogen fixation by methanogenic Archaea, literature review and DNA database-based analysis; significance in face of climate change

Archaea represents a significant population of up to 10% in soil microbial communities. The role of Archaea in soil is often overlooked mainly due to its unculturability. Among the three domains of life biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is mainly a trait of Eubacteria and some Archaea. Archaea mediated processes like BNF may become even more important in the face of global Climate change. Although there are reports on nitrogen fixation by Archaea, to best of our knowledge there is no comprehensive report on BNF by Archaea under environmental stresses typical to climate change. Here we report a survey of literature and DNA database to study N2-fixation among Archaea. A total of 37 Archaea belonging to Methanogens of the phylum Euryarchaeota within the class Methanococcus, Methanomicrobia Methanobacteria, and Methanotrophic ANME2 lineages either contain genes for BNF or are known to fix atmospheric N2. Archaea were found to have their nif genes arranged as clusters of 6-8 genes in a single operon. The genes code for commonly found Mo-nitrogenase while in some archaea the genes for alternative metal nitrogenases like vnf were also found. The nifHDK gene similarity matrices show that Archaea shared the highest similarity with the nifHDK gene of anaerobic Clostridium beijerinckii. Although there are various theories about the origin of N2-fixation in Archaea, the most acceptable is the origin of N2-fixation first in bacteria and its subsequent transfer to Archaea. Since Archaea can survive under extreme environmental conditions their role in BNF should be studied especially in soil under environmental stress.

Greenhouse gas emission potential of tropical coastal sediments in densely urbanized area inferred from metabarcoding microbial community data

Although benthic microbial community offers crucial insights into ecosystem services, they are underestimated for coastal sediment monitoring. Sepetiba Bay (SB) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, holds long-term metal pollution. Currently, SB pollution is majorly driven by domestic effluents discharge. Here, functional prediction analysis inferred from 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding data reveals the energy metabolism profiles of benthic microbial assemblages along the metal pollution gradient. Methanogenesis, denitrification, and N2 fixation emerge as dominant pathways in the eutrophic/polluted internal sector (Spearman; p < 0.05). These metabolisms act in the natural attenuation of sedimentary pollutants. The methane (CH4) emission (mcr genes) potential was found more abundant in the internal sector, while the external sector exhibited higher CH4 consumption (pmo + mmo genes) potential. Methanofastidiosales and Exiguobacterium, possibly involved in CH4 emission and associated with CH4 consumers respectively, are the main taxa detected in SB. Furthermore, SB exhibits higher nitrous oxide (N2O) emission potential since the norB/C gene proportions surpass nosZ up to 4 times. Blastopirellula was identified as the main responsible for N2O emissions. This study reveals fundamental contributions of the prokaryotic community to functions involved in greenhouse gas emissions, unveiling their possible use as sentinels for ecosystem monitoring.

Hydrochemical gradients driving extremophile distribution in saline and brine groundwater of southern Poland

Extreme environments, such as highly saline ecosystems, are characterised by a limited presence of microbial communities capable of tolerating and thriving under these conditions. To better understand the limits of life and its chemical and microbiological drivers, highly saline and brine groundwaters of Na-Cl and Na-Ca-Cl types with notably diverse SO4 contents were sampled in water intakes and springs from sedimentary aquifers located in the Outer Carpathians and the Carpathian Foredeep basin and its basement in Poland. Chemical and microbiological methods were used to identify the composition of groundwaters, determine microbial diversity, and indicate processes controlling their distribution using multivariate statistical analyses. DNA sequencing targeting V3-V4 and V4-V5 gene regions revealed a predominance of Proteobacteriota, Methanobacteria, Methanomicrobia, and Nanoarchaea in most of the water samples, irrespective of their geological context. Despite the sample-size constraint, redundancy analysis employing a compositional approach to hydrochemical predictors identified Cl/SO4 and Cl/HCO3 ratios, and specific electrical conductivity, as key gradients shaping microbial communities, depending on the analysed gene regions. Analysis of functional groups revealed that methanogenesis, sulphate oxidation and reduction, and the nitrogen cycle define and distinguish the halotolerant communities in the samples. These communities are characterised by an inverse relationship between methanogens and sulphur-cycling microorganisms.

Effects of pressure on the biogeochemical and geotechnical behavior of treated oil sands tailings in a pit lake scenario

Reclamation options for oil sands fluid fine tailings (FFT) are limited due to its challenging geotechnical properties, which include high water and clay contents and low shear strength. A feasible reclamation option for tailings with these properties is water capped FFT deposits (pit lakes). A relatively new proposal is to deposit FFT that has been treated with alum and polyacrylamide in pit lakes. Though over 65 Mm3 of alum/polyacrylamide treated FFT has been deposited to date, there is limited publicly available information on the biogeochemical and geotechnical behavior of this treated FFT. Further, the effects of pressure from overlying tailings on microbial activity and biogeochemical cycling in oil sands tailings has not been previously investigated. Twelve 5.5 L columns were designed to mimic alum/polyacrylamide treated FFT deposited beneath a water cap. A 2x2 factorial design was used to apply pressure and hydrocarbon amendments to the tailings. Pressure (0.3-5.1 kPa) was applied incrementally and columns were monitored for 360 d. Pressure significantly enhanced consolidation and microbial activity in treated FFT. Columns with pressure generated significantly more CH4(g) and CO2(g) and had significant increases in dissolved organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand in the FFT and water caps. The enhanced microbial activity in columns with pressure indicates that pressure increased the solubility of microbial substrates and metabolites in the tailings, thereby increasing the bioavailability of these compounds. Ammonium generation was significantly higher in columns with pressure, suggesting that microorganisms utilized polyacrylamide and/or N2 fixation as a nitrogen source to meet enhanced nutrient demands. Pressure also impacted microbial community structure, shifting methanogenic communities from hydrogenotrophic methanogens to predominately acetoclastic methanogens. This study also revealed the importance of sulfur cycling in treated FFT. Extensive sulfate reduction occurred in all columns, generating dissolved sulfides and H2S(g), and this was accelerated by hydrocarbon amendments.

Microbial metabolic potential of hydrothermal vent chimneys along the submarine ring of fire

Hydrothermal vents host a diverse community of microorganisms that utilize chemical gradients from the venting fluid for their metabolisms. The venting fluid can solidify to form chimney structures that these microbes adhere to and colonize. These chimney structures are found throughout many different locations in the world's oceans. In this study, comparative metagenomic analyses of microbial communities on five chimney structures from around the Pacific Ocean were elucidated focusing on the core taxa and genes that are characteristic of each of these hydrothermal vent chimneys. The differences among the taxa and genes found at each chimney due to parameters such as physical characteristics, chemistry, and activity of the vents were highlighted. DNA from the chimneys was sequenced, assembled into contigs, and annotated for gene function. Genes used for carbon, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, iron, and arsenic metabolisms were found at varying abundances at each of the chimneys, largely from either Gammaproteobacteria or Campylobacteria. Many taxa shared an overlap of these functional metabolic genes, indicating that functional redundancy is critical for life at these hydrothermal vents. A high relative abundance of oxygen metabolism genes coupled with a low abundance of carbon fixation genes could be used as a unique identifier for inactive chimneys. Genes used for DNA repair, chemotaxis, and transposases were found at high abundances at each of these hydrothermal chimneys allowing for enhanced adaptations to the ever-changing chemical and physical conditions encountered.

Effects of biodiversity on functional stability of freshwater wetlands: a systematic review

Freshwater wetlands are the wetland ecosystems surrounded by freshwater, which are at the interface of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, and are rich in ecological composition and function. Biodiversity in freshwater wetlands plays a key role in maintaining the stability of their habitat functions. Due to anthropogenic interference and global change, the biodiversity of freshwater wetlands decreases, which in turn destroys the habitat function of freshwater wetlands and leads to serious degradation of wetlands. An in-depth understanding of the effects of biodiversity on the stability of habitat function and its regulation in freshwater wetlands is crucial for wetland conservation. Therefore, this paper reviews the environmental drivers of habitat function stability in freshwater wetlands, explores the effects of plant diversity and microbial diversity on habitat function stability, reveals the impacts and mechanisms of habitat changes on biodiversity, and further proposes an outlook for freshwater wetland research. This paper provides an important reference for freshwater wetland conservation and its habitat function enhancement.

The Biosynthesis and Functions of Polyamines in the Interaction of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria with Plants

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are members of the plant rhizomicrobiome that enhance plant growth and stress resistance by increasing nutrient availability to the plant, producing phytohormones or other secondary metabolites, stimulating plant defense responses against abiotic stresses and pathogens, or fixing nitrogen. The use of PGPR to increase crop yield with minimal environmental impact is a sustainable and readily applicable replacement for a portion of chemical fertilizer and pesticides required for the growth of high-yielding varieties. Increased plant health and productivity have long been gained by applying PGPR as commercial inoculants to crops, although with uneven results. The establishment of plant-PGPR relationships requires the exchange of chemical signals and nutrients between the partners, and polyamines (PAs) are an important class of compounds that act as physiological effectors and signal molecules in plant-microbe interactions. In this review, we focus on the role of PAs in interactions between PGPR and plants. We describe the basic ecology of PGPR and the production and function of PAs in them and the plants with which they interact. We examine the metabolism and the roles of PAs in PGPR and plants individually and during their interaction with one another. Lastly, we describe some directions for future research.

Year-around survey and manipulation experiments reveal differential sensitivities of soil prokaryotic and fungal communities to saltwater intrusion in Florida Everglades wetlands

Global sea-level rise is transforming coastal ecosystems, especially freshwater wetlands, in part due to increased episodic or chronic saltwater exposure, leading to shifts in biogeochemistry, plant- and microbial communities, as well as ecological services. Yet, it is still difficult to predict how soil microbial communities respond to the saltwater exposure because of poorly understood microbial sensitivity within complex wetland soil microbial communities, as well as the high spatial and temporal heterogeneity of wetland soils and saltwater exposure. To address this, we first conducted a two-year survey of microbial community structure and bottom water chemistry in submerged surface soils from 14 wetland sites across the Florida Everglades. We identified ecosystem-specific microbial biomarker taxa primarily associated with variation in salinity. Bacterial, archaeal and fungal community composition differed between freshwater, mangrove, and marine seagrass meadow sites, irrespective of soil type or season. Especially, methanogens, putative denitrifying methanotrophs and sulfate reducers shifted in relative abundance and/or composition between wetland types. Methanogens and putative denitrifying methanotrophs declined in relative abundance from freshwater to marine wetlands, whereas sulfate reducers showed the opposite trend. A four-year experimental simulation of saltwater intrusion in a pristine freshwater site and a previously saltwater-impacted site corroborated the highest sensitivity and relative increase of sulfate reducers, as well as taxon-specific sensitivity of methanogens, in response to continuously pulsing of saltwater treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that besides increased salinity, saltwater-mediated increased sulfate availability leads to displacement of methanogens by sulfate reducers even at low or temporal salt exposure. These changes of microbial composition could affect organic matter degradation pathways in coastal freshwater wetlands exposed to sea-level rise, with potential consequences, such as loss of stored soil organic carbon.

Comparative Transcriptomics Sheds Light on Remodeling of Gene Expression during Diazotrophy in the Thermophilic Methanogen Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus

Some marine thermophilic methanogens are able to perform energy-consuming nitrogen fixation despite deriving only little energy from hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. We studied this process in Methanothermococcus thermolithotrophicus DSM 2095, a methanogenic archaeon of the order Methanococcales that contributes to the nitrogen pool in some marine environments. We successfully grew this archaeon under diazotrophic conditions in both batch and fermenter cultures, reaching the highest cell density reported so far. Diazotrophic growth depended strictly on molybdenum and, in contrast to other diazotrophs, was not inhibited by tungstate or vanadium. This suggests an elaborate control of metal uptake and a specific metal recognition system for the insertion into the nitrogenase cofactor. Differential transcriptomics of M. thermolithotrophicus grown under diazotrophic conditions with ammonium-fed cultures as controls revealed upregulation of the nitrogenase machinery, including chaperones, regulators, and molybdate importers, as well as simultaneous upregulation of an ammonium transporter and a putative pathway for nitrate and nitrite utilization. The organism thus employs multiple synergistic strategies for uptake of nitrogen nutrients during the early exponential growth phase without altering transcription levels for genes involved in methanogenesis. As a counterpart, genes coding for transcription and translation processes were downregulated, highlighting the maintenance of an intricate metabolic balance to deal with energy constraints and nutrient limitations imposed by diazotrophy. This switch in the metabolic balance included unexpected processes, such as upregulation of the CRISPR-Cas system, probably caused by drastic changes in transcription levels of putative mobile and virus-like elements. IMPORTANCE The thermophilic anaerobic archaeon M. thermolithotrophicus is a particularly suitable model organism to study the coupling of methanogenesis to diazotrophy. Likewise, its capability of simultaneously reducing N₂ and CO₂ into NH₃ and CH₄ with H₂ makes it a viable target for biofuel production. We optimized M. thermolithotrophicus cultivation, resulting in considerably higher cell yields and enabling the successful establishment of N₂-fixing bioreactors. Improved understanding of the N₂ fixation process would provide novel insights into metabolic adaptations that allow this energy-limited extremophile to thrive under diazotrophy, for instance, by investigating its physiology and uncharacterized nitrogenase. We demonstrated that diazotrophic growth of M. thermolithotrophicus is exclusively dependent on molybdenum, and complementary transcriptomics corroborated the expression of the molybdenum nitrogenase system. Further analyses of differentially expressed genes during diazotrophy across three cultivation time points revealed insights into the response to nitrogen limitation and the coordination of core metabolic processes.

nifH gene expression and diversity in geothermal springs of Tengchong, China

Terrestrial hot springs have been suggested to harbor diverse diazotrophic lineages by using DNA-based nifH gene phylogenetic analysis. However, only a small amount of diazotrophs were ever confirmed to perform nitrogen fixation. In order to explore the compositions of active diazotrophic populations in hot springs, the in situ expression and diversity of nifH and 16S rRNA genes were investigated in the sediments of hot springs (pH 4.3-9.1; temperature 34-84°C) in Tengchong, China, by using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that active diazotrophs were diverse in the studied Tengchong hot springs. The main active diazotrophs in high-temperature hot springs were affiliated with Aquificae, while those in low-temperature hot springs belonged to Cyanobacteria and Nitrospirae. Such dominance of Aquificae and Nitrospirae of diazotrophs has not been reported in other ecosystems. This suggests that hot springs may harbor unique active diazotrophs in comparison with other type of ecosystems. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the phylogenetic lineages of diazotrophs between hot springs of Tengchong and other regions, indicating that diazotrophs have geographical distribution patterns. Statistical analysis suggests that the expression and distribution of nifH gene were influenced by temperature and concentrations of ammonia and sulfur seem in Tengchong hot springs. These findings avail us to understand element cycling mediated by diazotrophs in hot spring ecosystems.

Nitrogen Addition Effects on Wetland Soils Depend on Environmental Factors and Nitrogen Addition Methods: A Meta-Analysis

Identifying the effects of nitrogen (N) addition under key environmental factors and N addition methods can aid in understanding the paradigm of N addition in wetland ecosystems. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of 30 field studies of wetland ecosystems and selected 14 indicators. We found that the changes in soil TN and SOC contributed significantly to the changes in microbial community structure under N additions. The environmental factors and N addition methods altered the direction or size of N addition effects on wetland soil properties, microbial diversity and key C and N cycling genes. N-limited conditions and climate conditions determined the N addition effect direction on SOC, and saline-alkali conditions determined the N addition effect direction on microbial diversity and AOB abundance. Environmental heterogeneity and N addition methods determine the response of wetland soil to nitrogen application. Therefore, it is crucial to study the effects of environmental factors and N addition methods on the N deposition of wetland soils.

Exploring the Distinct Distribution of Archaeal Communities in Sites Contaminated with Explosives

Most of the research on bioremediation and estimation of microbial diversity in waste contaminated sites is focused on the domain Bacteria, whereas details on the relevance of Archaea are still lacking. The present study examined the archaeal diversity and predicted metabolic pathways in two discrete sites (SITE1 and SITE2) contaminated with explosives (RDX and HMX) by amplicon-targeted sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. In total, 14 soil samples were processed, and 35,758 OTUs were observed, among which 981 OTUs were classified as Archaea, representing ~2.7% of the total microbial diversity in our samples. The majority of OTUs belonged to phyla Euryarchaeota (~49%), Crenarchaeota (~24%), and Thaumarchaeota (~23%), while the remaining (~4%) OTUs were affiliated to Candidatus Parvarchaeota, Candidatus Aenigmarchaeota, and Candidatus Diapherotrites. The comparative studies between explosives contaminated and agricultural soil samples (with no history of explosives contamination) displayed significant differences between the compositions of the archaeal communities. Further, the metabolic pathways pertaining to xenobiotic degradation were presumably more abundant in the contaminated sites. Our data provide a first comprehensive report of archaeal communities in explosives contaminated sites and their putative degradation role in such ecosystems which have been as yet unexplored.

Comparing the effects of algae and macrophyte residues' degradation on biological nitrogen fixation in freshwater lake sediments

The degradation and mineralization of organic residues are important factors that drive biochemical processes in lake ecosystems. However, the effect of organic matter's degradation on biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in freshwater lake sediments remains poorly understood. This study investigated the response of sediment nitrogen fixation to the degradations of algae and macrophyte residues through continuous flow mesocosms combined with nifH sequencing analysis and isotope tracing. The results suggested that the active nitrogen fixation of sediments only occurred in the first two weeks of the rapid degradation of organic residues. Degradation of algae and macrophytes residues quickly increased the nifH abundance and the nitrogenase activity (NA) in sediments; however, the maximum NA triggered by algae's degradation (658.2 ± 16.8 ng g^-1 day^-1) was six times higher than that induced by the degradation of macrophytes residues. There was no significant difference in NA of sediments with the degradation of Potamogeton and Phragmites. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the variation of diazotrophic community in sediment was significantly (p < 0.01) correlated with the concentrations of SO₄^2- and NH₄⁺ in overlying water and the Fe(II) content and Eh in sediment. Overall, the BNF of sediments can quickly respond to the degradation of organic residues, and the degradation of algae has a stronger promoting effect on the nitrogen fixation in sediments than that of macrophyte residues.

Defining the Sphagnum Core Microbiome across the North American Continent Reveals a Central Role for Diazotrophic Methanotrophs in the Nitrogen and Carbon Cycles of Boreal Peatland Ecosystems

Peat mosses of the genus Sphagnum are ecosystem engineers that frequently predominate over photosynthetic production in boreal peatlands. Sphagnum spp. host diverse microbial communities capable of nitrogen fixation (diazotrophy) and methane oxidation (methanotrophy), thereby potentially supporting plant growth under severely nutrient-limited conditions. Moreover, diazotrophic methanotrophs represent a possible “missing link” between the carbon and nitrogen cycles, but the functional contributions of the Sphagnum-associated microbiome remain in question. A combination of metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and dual-isotope incorporation assays was applied to investigate Sphagnum microbiome community composition across the North American continent and provide empirical evidence for diazotrophic methanotrophy in Sphagnum-dominated ecosystems. Remarkably consistent prokaryotic communities were detected in over 250 Sphagnum SSU rRNA libraries from peatlands across the United States (5 states, 17 bog/fen sites, 18 Sphagnum species), with 12 genera of the core microbiome comprising 60% of the relative microbial abundance. Additionally, nitrogenase (nifH) and SSU rRNA gene amplicon analysis revealed that nitrogen-fixing populations made up nearly 15% of the prokaryotic communities, predominated by Nostocales cyanobacteria and Rhizobiales methanotrophs. While cyanobacteria comprised the vast majority (>95%) of diazotrophs detected in amplicon and metagenome analyses, obligate methanotrophs of the genus Methyloferula (order Rhizobiales) accounted for one-quarter of transcribed nifH genes. Furthermore, in dual-isotope tracer experiments, members of the Rhizobiales showed substantial incorporation of ¹³CH₄ and ¹⁵N₂ isotopes into their rRNA. Our study characterizes the core Sphagnum microbiome across large spatial scales and indicates that diazotrophic methanotrophs, here defined as obligate methanotrophs of the rare biosphere (Methyloferula spp. of the Rhizobiales) that also carry out diazotrophy, play a keystone role in coupling of the carbon and nitrogen cycles in nutrient-poor peatlands.

Microbial Nitrogen Transformation Potential in Sediments of Two Contrasting Lakes Is Spatially Structured but Seasonally Stable

The nitrogen (N) cycle is of global importance, as N is an essential element and a limiting nutrient in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Excessive anthropogenic N fertilizer usage threatens sensitive downstream aquatic ecosystems. Although freshwater lake sediments remove N through various microbially mediated processes, few studies have investigated the microbial communities involved. In an integrated biogeochemical and microbiological study on a eutrophic and oligotrophic lake, we estimated N removal rates from pore water concentration gradients in sediments. Simultaneously, the abundance of different microbial N transformation genes was investigated using metagenomics on a seasonal and spatial scale. We observed that contrasting nutrient concentrations in sediments were associated with distinct microbial community compositions and significant differences in abundances of various N transformation genes. For both characteristics, we observed a more pronounced spatial than seasonal variability within each lake. The eutrophic Lake Baldegg showed a higher denitrification potential with higher nosZ gene (N₂O reductase) abundances and higher nirS:nirK (nitrite reductase) ratios, indicating a greater capacity for complete denitrification. Correspondingly, this lake had a higher N removal efficiency. The oligotrophic Lake Sarnen, in contrast, had a higher potential for nitrification. Specifically, it harbored a high abundance of Nitrospira, including some with the potential for comammox. Our results demonstrate that knowledge of the genomic N transformation potential is important for interpreting N process rates and understanding how the lacustrine sedimentary N cycle responds to variations in trophic conditions.

IMPORTANCE Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) inputs can lead to eutrophication in surface waters, especially in N-limited coastal ecosystems. Lakes effectively remove reactive N by transforming it to N₂ through microbial denitrification or anammox. The rates and distributions of these microbial processes are affected by factors such as the amount and quality of settling organic material and nitrate concentrations. However, the microbial communities mediating these N transformation processes in freshwater lake sediments remain largely unknown. We provide the first seasonally and spatially resolved metagenomic analysis of the N cycle in sediments of two lakes with different trophic states. We show that lakes with different trophic states select for distinct communities of N-cycling microorganisms with contrasting functional potentials for N transformation.

Bioinoculants-Natural Biological Resources for Sustainable Plant Production

Agricultural sustainability is of foremost importance for maintaining high food production. Irresponsible resource use not only negatively affects agroecology, but also reduces the economic profitability of the production system. Among different resources, soil is one of the most vital resources of agriculture. Soil fertility is the key to achieve high crop productivity. Maintaining soil fertility and soil health requires conscious management effort to avoid excessive nutrient loss, sustain organic carbon content, and minimize soil contamination. Though the use of chemical fertilizers have successfully improved crop production, its integration with organic manures and other bioinoculants helps in improving nutrient use efficiency, improves soil health and to some extent ameliorates some of the constraints associated with excessive fertilizer application. In addition to nutrient supplementation, bioinoculants have other beneficial effects such as plant growth-promoting activity, nutrient mobilization and solubilization, soil decontamination and/or detoxification, etc. During the present time, high energy based chemical inputs also caused havoc to agriculture because of the ill effects of global warming and climate change. Under the consequences of climate change, the use of bioinputs may be considered as a suitable mitigation option. Bioinoculants, as a concept, is not something new to agricultural science, however; it is one of the areas where consistent innovations have been made. Understanding the role of bioinoculants, the scope of their use, and analysing their performance in various environments are key to the successful adaptation of this technology in agriculture.

Does Addition of Phosphate and Ammonium Nutrients Affect Microbial Activity in Froth Treatment Affected Tailings?

We examined greenhouse gas (GHG) production upon the addition of ammonium and phosphate to mature fine tailing (MFT) samples from Alberta's Pond 2/3 (at 5 and 15 m) and Pond 7 (12.5 m) in microcosm studies. The methane production rate in unamended Pond 2/3 MFT correlated with sample age; the production rate was higher in the less dense, more recently discharged MFT samples and lower in the denser, deeper sample. Adding small amounts of naphtha increased methane production, but there was no correlation with increasing naphtha, indicating that naphtha may partition into bitumen, reducing its bioavailability. Although non-detectable phosphate and low ammonium in the pore water indicate that these nutrients were potentially limiting microbial activity, their addition did not significantly affect methanogenesis but somewhat enhanced sulphate and nitrate reduction. Neither ammonium nor phosphate were detected in the pore water when added at low concentrations, but when added at high concentrations, 25-35% phosphate and 30-45% ammonium were lost. These ions likely sorbed to MFT minerals such as kaolinite, which have microbial activity governed by phosphate/ammonium desorption. Hence, multiple limitations affected microbial activity. Sulphate was less effective than nitrate was in inhibiting methanogenesis because H₂S may be a less effective inhibitor than NO_x^- intermediates are, and/or H₂S may be more easily abiotically removed. With nitrate reduction, N₂O, a potent GHG was produced but eventually metabolized.

Campylobacterota dominate the microbial communities in a tropical karst subterranean estuary, with implications for cycling and export of nitrogen to coastal waters

Subterranean estuaries (STEs), the zones in which seawater and subsurface groundwater mix, are recognized as hotspots for biogeochemical reactions; however, little is known of the microbial communities that control many of those reactions. This study investigated the potential functions of microbes inhabiting a cenote and an offshore submarine spring (Pargos) in the near-coastal waters of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The inland cenote (Cenote Siete Bocas; C7B) is characterized by a chemocline that is host to an array of physicochemical gradients associated with microbial activities. The chemocline includes an increasing gradient in sulfide concentrations with depth and a decreasing gradient in nitrate concentrations. The microbial community within the chemocline was dominated by Sulfurimonas and Sulfurovum of the Campylobacteria, which are likely responsible for sulfide oxidation coupled with nitrate reduction. Although C7B has not been directly connected with Pargos Spring, water discharging from the spring has physicochemical characteristics and microbial community structures similar to C7B, strongly suggesting biogeochemical processing in the STE impacts groundwater composition prior to discharge. This work yields insight into the microbial communities and biogeochemical reactions in STEs in karstic aquifers and provides evidence for the importance of Campylobacteria in controlling nitrate concentrations exported to marine springs.

Global co-occurrence of methanogenic archaea and methanotrophic bacteria in Microcystis aggregates

Global warming and eutrophication contribute to the worldwide increase in cyanobacterial blooms, and the level of cyanobacterial biomass is strongly associated with rises in methane emissions from surface lake waters. Hence, methane-metabolizing microorganisms may be important for modulating carbon flow in cyanobacterial blooms. Here, we surveyed methanogenic and methanotrophic communities associated with floating Microcystis aggregates in 10 lakes spanning four continents, through sequencing of 16S rRNA and functional marker genes. Methanogenic archaea (mainly Methanoregula and Methanosaeta) were detectable in 5 of the 10 lakes and constituted the majority (~50%-90%) of the archaeal community in these lakes. Three of the 10 lakes contained relatively more abundant methanotrophs than the other seven lakes, with the methanotrophic genera Methyloparacoccus, Crenothrix, and an uncultured species related to Methylobacter dominating and nearly exclusively found in each of those three lakes. These three are among the five lakes in which methanogens were observed. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness and abundance of methanotrophs were strongly positively correlated with those of methanogens, suggesting that their activities may be coupled. These Microcystis-aggregate-associated methanotrophs may be responsible for a hitherto overlooked sink for methane in surface freshwaters, and their co-occurrence with methanogens sheds light on the methane cycle in cyanobacterial aggregates.

Microorganisms that participate in biochemical cycles in wetlands

Several biochemical cycles are performed in natural wetlands (NWs) and constructed wetlands (CWs). The knowledge of the microorganisms could be used to monitor the restoration of wetlands or the performance of the wastewater treatment. Regarding bacteria, Proteobacteria phylum is the most abundant in NWs and CWs, which possesses a role in N, P, and S cycles, and in the degradation of organic matter. Other phyla are present in lower abundance. Archaea participate in methanogenesis, methane oxidation, and the methanogenic N2 fixation. Sulfur and phosphorus cycles are also performed by other microorganisms, such as Chloroflexi or Nitrospirae phyla. In general, there is more information about the N cycle, especially nitrification and denitrification. Processes where archaea participate (e.g. methane oxidation, methanogenic N2 fixation) are still unclear their metabolic role and several of these microorganisms have not been isolated so far. The study can use 16S rDNA genes or functional genes. The use of functional genes gives information to monitor specific microbial populations and 16S rDNA is more suitable to perform the taxonomic classification. Also, there are several Candidatus microorganisms, which have not been isolated so far. However, it has been described their metabolic role in the biochemical cycles in wetlands.

Habitat heterogeneity induces regional differences in sediment nitrogen fixation in eutrophic freshwater lake

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in sediments is an important source of bioavailable nitrogen in aquatic systems. However, the effect of habitat change caused by eutrophication on nitrogen fixation within sediments is still unclear. In this study, nitrogen fixation rates and diazotroph diversities in sediments with heterogeneous ecological status in one eutrophic lake were investigated by using an isotope tracer method and sequencing of nitrogen-fixing (nif) genes. The results showed that both nitrogenase activity (NA) and nifH abundance in sediments of blooms area were higher than those in vegetation-dominated habitats. Correlation analysis showed that NA was correlated closely to nifH abundance, dissolved sulfide, and iron. The diazotrophic assemblage contained mainly Proteobacterial sequences belonging to Cluster I and III, and the variations of diazotrophic community could be explained by total nitrogen content, total phosphorus content, organic matters, sulfides, ammonium and iron content. Moreover, the co-occurrence network analysis showed the Alphaproteobacteria shaped the major interactions in diazotrophic community, and sediment properties had stronger effect on diazotrophic community in cyanobacteria-dominated habitat. This study revealed that habitat heterogeneity in eutrophic lakes shaped different succession of BNF in sediments and cyanobacterial blooms significantly improved the nitrogen-fixing activity in sediments, which broadened our understanding of nitrogen cycle and nutrient management in eutrophic freshwater lakes.

Archaea: An Agro-Ecological Perspective

Microorganisms inhabiting bulk soil and rhizosphere play an important role in soil biogeochemical cycles leading to enhanced plant growth and productivity. In this context, the role of bacteria is well established, however, not much reports are available about the role archaea plays in this regard. Literature suggests that archaea also play a greater role in nutrient cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and other minerals, possess various plant growth promoting attributes, and can impart tolerance to various abiotic stresses (especially osmotic and oxidative) in areas of high salinity, low and high temperatures and hydrogen ion concentrations. Thermoacidophilic archaea have been found to potentially involve in bioleaching of mineral ores and bioremediation of chemical pollutants and aromatic compounds. Looking at immense potential of archaea in promoting plant growth, alleviating abiotic stresses, and remediating contaminated sites, detailed studies are required to establish their role in different ecological processes, and their interactions in rhizosphere with plant and other microflora (bacteria and fungi) in different ecosystems. In this review, a brief discussion on archaea from the agro-ecological point of view is presented.

Microbiome structure and functional potential in permafrost soils of the Western Canadian Arctic

Substantial amounts of topsoil organic matter (OM) in Arctic Cryosols have been translocated by the process of cryoturbation into deeper soil horizons (cryoOM), reducing its decomposition. Recent Arctic warming deepens the Cryosols´ active layer, making more topsoil and cryoOM carbon accessible for microbial transformation. To quantify bacteria, archaea and selected microbial groups (methanogens - mcrA gene and diazotrophs - nifH gene) and to investigate bacterial and archaeal diversity, we collected 83 soil samples from four different soil horizons of three distinct tundra types located in Qikiqtaruk (Hershel Island, Western Canada). In general, the abundance of bacteria and diazotrophs decreased from topsoil to permafrost, but not for cryoOM. No such difference was observed for archaea and methanogens. CryoOM was enriched with oligotrophic (slow-growing microorganism) taxa capable of recalcitrant OM degradation. We found distinct microbial patterns in each tundra type: topsoil from wet-polygonal tundra had the lowest abundance of bacteria and diazotrophs, but the highest abundance of methanogens. Wet-polygonal tundra, therefore, represented a hotspot for methanogenesis. Oligotrophic and copiotrophic (fast-growing microorganism) genera of methanogens and diazotrophs were distinctly distributed in topsoil and cryoOM, resulting in different rates of nitrogen flux into these horizons affecting OM vulnerability and potential CO2 and CH4 release.

Influence of environmental factors on benthic nitrogen fixation and role of sulfur reducing diazotrophs in a eutrophic tropical estuary

Benthic nitrogen fixation in the tropical estuaries plays a major role in marine nitrogen cycle, its contribution to nitrogen budget and players behind process is not well understood. The present study was estimated the benthic nitrogen fixation rate in a tropical estuary (Cochin) and also evaluated the contribution of various diazotrophic bacterial communities. Nitrogen fixation was detected throughout year (0.1-1.11 nmol N g^-1 h^-1); higher activity was observed in post-monsoon. The nifH gene abundance was varied from 0.8 × 10⁴ to 0.6 × 10⁸ copies g^-1dry sediment; highest was detected in post-monsoon. The Cluster I and Cluster III were the dominant diazotrophs. Sulfur reducing bacterial phylotypes (Deltaproteobacteria) contributed up to 2-72% of total nitrogen fixation. These bacteria may provide new nitrogen to these systems, counteracting nitrogen loss via denitrification and anammox. Overall, the study explained the importance of benthic nitrogen fixation and role of diazotrophs in a monsoon influenced tropical estuarine environments.

Promotion of biological nitrogen fixation activity of an anaerobic consortium using humin as an extracellular electron mediator

Nitrogen fertiliser is manufactured using the industrial Haber–Bosch process, although it is extremely energy-consuming. One sustainable alternative technology is the electrochemical promotion of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). This study reports the promotion of BNF activity of anaerobic microbial consortia by humin, a solid-phase humic substance, at any pH, functioning as an extracellular electron mediator, to levels of 5.7–11.8 times under nitrogen-deficient conditions. This was evidenced by increased acetylene reduction activity and total nitrogen content of the consortia. Various humins from different origins promoted anaerobic BNF activity, although the degree of promotion differed. The promotion effected by humin differed from the effects of chemical reducing agents and the effects of supplemental micronutrients and vitamins. The promotion of anaerobic BNF activity by only reduced humin without any other electron donor suggested that humin did not serve as organic carbon source but as extracellular electron mediator, for electron donation to the nitrogen-fixing microorganisms. The next generation sequencing (NGS) of partial 16S rRNA genes showed the predominance of Clostridiales (Firmicutes) in the consortia. These findings suggest the effectiveness of humin as a solid-phase extracellular electron mediator for the promotion of anaerobic BNF activity, potentially to serve for the basis for a sustainable technology.

Elucidation of the rhizosphere microbiome linked to Spartina alterniflora phenotype in a salt marsh on Skidaway Island, Georgia, USA

Smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, dominates salt marshes on the east coast of the United States. While the physicochemical cues affecting S. alterniflora productivity have been studied intensively, the role of plant-microbe interactions in ecosystem functioning remains poorly understood. Thus, in this study, the effects of S. alterniflora phenotype on the composition of archaeal, bacterial, diazotrophic and fungal communities were investigated. Overall, prokaryotic communities were more diverse and bacteria were more abundant in the areas colonized by the tall plant phenotype in comparison to those of short plant phenotype. Diazotrophic methanogens (Methanomicrobia) preferentially colonized the area of the short plant phenotype. Putative iron-oxidizing Zetaproteobacteria and sulfur-oxidizing Campylobacteria were identified as indicator species in the rhizosphere of tall and short plant phenotypes, respectively. Finally, while diazotrophic populations shaped microbial interactions in the areas colonized by the tall plant phenotype, fungal populations filled this role in the areas occupied by the short plant phenotype. The results here demonstrate that S. alterniflora phenotype and proximity to the root zone are selective forces dictating microbial community assembly. Results further reveal that reduction-oxidation chemistry is a major factor driving the selection of belowground microbial populations in salt marsh habitats.

Fiber-Enhanced Raman Gas Spectroscopy for the Study of Microbial Methanogenesis

Microbial methanogenesis is a key biogeochemical process in the carbon cycle that is responsible for 70% of global emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane (CH₄). Further knowledge about microbial methanogenesis is crucial to mitigate emissions, increase climate model accuracy, or advance methanogenic biogas production. The current understanding of the substrate use of methanogenic microbes is limited, especially regarding the methylotrophic pathway. Here, we present fiber-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (FERS) of headspace gases as an alternate tool to study methanogenesis and substrate use in particular. The optical technique is nondestructive and sensitive to CH₄, hydrogen (H₂), and carbon dioxide with a large dynamic range from trace levels (demonstrated LoDs: CH₄, 3 ppm; H₂, 49 ppm) to pure gases. In addition, the portable FERS system can provide quantitative information about methanol concentration in the liquid phase of microbial cultures through headspace gas sampling (LoD 25 ppm). We demonstrate how FERS gas sensing could enable us to track substrate and product levels of microbial methanogenesis with just one instrument. The versatility of Raman gas spectroscopy could moreover help us to elucidate links between nitrogen and carbon cycle in microbial communities in the near future.

The Saltpan Microbiome is Structured by Sediment Depth and Minimally Influenced by Variable Hydration

Saltpans are a class of ephemeral wetland characterized by alternating periods of inundation, rising salinity, and desiccation. We obtained soil cores from a saltpan on the Mississippi Gulf coast in both the inundated and desiccated state. The microbiomes of surface and 30 cm deep sediment were determined using Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Bacterial and archaeal community composition differed significantly between sediment depths but did not differ between inundated and desiccated states. Well-represented taxa included marine microorganisms as well as multiple halophiles, both observed in greater proportions in surface sediment. Functional inference of metagenomic data showed that saltpan sediments in the inundated state had greater potential for microbial activity and that several energetic and degradation pathways were more prevalent in saltpan sediment than in nearby tidal marsh sediment. Microbial communities within saltpan sediments differed in composition from those in adjacent freshwater and brackish marshes. These findings indicate that the bacterial and archaeal microbiomes of saltpans are highly stratified by sediment depth and are only minimally influenced by changes in hydration. The surface sediment community is likely isolated from the shallow subsurface community by compaction, with the microbial community dominated by marine and terrestrial halophiles.

Microbial resistance and resilience in response to environmental changes under the higher intensity of human activities than global average level

With the increasing intensity of global human activities, the ecosystem function, which is supported by the microbial community, will be dramatically changed and impaired. To investigate microbial resistance and resilience of microbial communities to human activities, we chose two typical types of human disturbances, urbanization, and reclamation under the higher intensity of human activities than the global average level. We examined microbial traits, including the abundance, diversity, phylogeny, and co-occurrence interactions in soil microbial communities, together with the nitrification activities observed in the subtropical coastal ecosystem of the Pearl River Estuary and in soil microcosm experiments. Microbial communities were less resistant to the environmental changes caused by urbanization than to those caused by reclamation, which was significantly reflected in the nitrogen and/or carbon-related patterns. However, most of the microbial traits could be recovered almost to the original level without significant differences in the microcosm after 40 days of incubation. The co-occurrence interactions between nitrifiers and other microbial communities were dramatically changed and could not be completely recovered, but this change did not affect their nitrification activities for balancing the ammonium in the soil to the original level during the recovery stage, suggesting that the interactions between microbial communities might have fewer effects on their activities than previously thought. This study quantitatively demonstrated that microbial communities as a whole can recover to a status similar to the original state in a short time after the removal of stress at a large ecosystem scale even under the higher intensity of human activities than global average level in coastal ecosystems, which implied a strong recovery capacity of soil microbial community even after intense human disturbance.

Shotgun metagenomic analysis of microbial communities from the Loxahatchee nature preserve in the Florida Everglades

BACKGROUND

Currently, much is unknown about the taxonomic diversity and the mechanisms of methane metabolism in the Florida Everglades ecosystem. The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is a section of the Florida Everglades that is almost entirely unstudied in regard to taxonomic profiling. This short report analyzes the metagenome of soil samples from this Refuge to investigate the predominant taxa, as well as the abundance of genes involved in environmentally significant metabolic pathways related to methane production (nitrogen fixation and dissimilatory sulfite reduction).

METHODS

Shotgun metagenomic sequencing using the Illumina platform was performed on 17 soil samples from four different sites within the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, and underwent quality control, assembly, and annotation. The soil from each sample was tested for water content and concentrations of organic carbon and nitrogen.

RESULTS

The three most common phyla of bacteria for every site were Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Proteobacteria; however, there was variation in relative phylum composition. The most common phylum of Archaea was Euryarchaeota for all sites. Alpha and beta diversity analyses indicated significant congruity in taxonomic diversity in most samples from Sites 1, 3, and 4 and negligible congruity between Site 2 and the other sites. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing revealed the presence of biogeochemical biomarkers of particular interest (e.g., mrcA, nifH, and dsrB) within the samples. The normalized abundances of mcrA, nifH, and dsrB exhibited a positive correlation with nitrogen concentration and water content, and a negative correlation with organic carbon concentration.

CONCLUSION

This Everglades soil metagenomic study allowed examination of wetlands biological processes and showed expected correlations between measured organic constituents and prokaryotic gene frequency. Additionally, the taxonomic profile generated gives a basis for the diversity of prokaryotic microbial life throughout the Everglades.

Gene Expression of Haloferax volcanii on Intermediate and Abundant Sources of Fixed Nitrogen

Haloferax volcanii, a well-developed model archaeon for genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses, can grow on a defined medium of abundant and intermediate levels of fixed nitrogen. Here we report a global profiling of gene expression of H. volcanii grown on ammonium as an abundant source of fixed nitrogen compared to l-alanine, the latter of which exemplifies an intermediate source of nitrogen that can be obtained from dead cells in natural habitats. By comparing the two growth conditions, 30 genes were found to be differentially expressed, including 16 genes associated with amino acid metabolism and transport. The gene expression profiles contributed to mapping ammonium and l-alanine usage with respect to transporters and metabolic pathways. In addition, conserved DNA motifs were identified in the putative promoter regions and transcription factors were found to be in synteny with the differentially expressed genes, leading us to propose regulons of transcriptionally co-regulated operons. This study provides insight to how H. volcanii responds to and utilizes intermediate vs. abundant sources of fixed nitrogen for growth, with implications for conserved functions in related halophilic archaea.

Transplanting the pathway engineering toolbox to methanogens

Biological methanogenesis evolved early in Earth's history and was likely already a major process by 3.5 Ga. Modern methanogenesis is now a key process in virtually all anaerobic microbial communities, such as marine and lake sediments, wetland and rice soils, and human and cattle digestive tracts. Owing to their long evolution and extensive adaptations to various habitats, methanogens possess enormous metabolic and physiological diversity. Not only does this diversity offers unique opportunities for biotechnology applications, but also reveals their direct impact on the environment, agriculture, and human and animal health. These efforts are facilitated by an advanced genetic toolbox, emerging new molecular tools, and systems-level modelling for methanogens. Further developments and convergence of these technical advancements provide new opportunities for bioengineering methanogens.

Nitrogen fixation in surface sediments of the East China Sea: Occurrence and environmental implications

Sediment nitrogen fixation and associated functional gene in the East China Sea were investigated using nitrogen-isotope tracing and molecular techniques. Potential rates of nitrogen fixation were detected, with values of 0.06-5.51 nmol N g^-1 h^-1. Abundance of functional gene (nifH) ranged from 0.36 × 10⁶ to 5.39 × 10⁷ copies g^-1. Nitrogen fixation rates were not related to the abundance of nifH gene but to temperature, salinity, sulfide, iron and C/N, indicating that the sediment properties rather than microbial abundance dominated the nitrogen fixation. It is also estimated that sediment nitrogen fixation annually contributed about 3.43 × 10⁵ to 3.10 × 10⁷ tons nitrogen to the East China Sea, which accounted for 8.2-22.6% of the total inorganic nitrogen input. Overall, this study highlights the importance of benthic nitrogen fixation in controlling nitrogen budget in the East China Sea and improves our knowledge on nitrogen cycling in the coastal marine environments.

The influence of oxygen and methane on nitrogen fixation in subarctic Sphagnum mosses

Biological nitrogen fixation is an important source of bioavailable nitrogen in Sphagnum dominated peatlands. Sphagnum mosses harbor a diverse microbiome including nitrogen-fixing and methane (CH4) oxidizing bacteria. The inhibitory effect of oxygen on microbial nitrogen fixation is documented for many bacteria. However, the role of nitrogen-fixing methanotrophs in nitrogen supply to Sphagnum peat mosses is not well explored. Here, we investigated the role of both oxygen and methane on nitrogen fixation in subarctic Sphagnum peat mosses. Five species of Sphagnum mosses were sampled from two mesotrophic and three oligotrophic sites within the Lakkasuo peatland in Orivesi, central Finland. Mosses were incubated under either ambient or low oxygen conditions in the presence or absence of methane. Stable isotope activity assays revealed considerable nitrogen-fixing and methane-assimilating rates at all sites (1.4 ± 0.2 µmol 15N-N2 g-1 DW day-1 and 12.0 ± 1.1 µmol 13C-CH4 g-1 DW day-1, respectively). Addition of methane did not stimulate incorporation of 15N-nitrogen into biomass, whereas oxygen depletion increased the activity of the nitrogen-fixing community. Analysis of the 16S rRNA genes at the bacterial community level showed a very diverse microbiome that was dominated by Alphaproteobacteria in all sites. Bona fide methane-oxidizing taxa were not very abundant (relative abundance less than 0.1%). Based on our results we conclude that methanotrophs did not contribute significantly to nitrogen fixation in the investigated peatlands.