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| Titel |
Increases in the abundance of microbial genes encoding halotolerance and photosynthesis along a sediment salinity gradient |
| VerfasserIn |
T. C. Jeffries, J. R. Seymour, K. Newton, R. J. Smith, L. Seuront, J. G. Mitchell |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1726-4170
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Biogeosciences ; 9, no. 2 ; Nr. 9, no. 2 (2012-02-20), S.815-825 |
| Datensatznummer |
250006769
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/bg-9-815-2012.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
| Biogeochemical cycles are driven by the metabolic activity of microbial
communities, yet the environmental parameters that underpin shifts in the
functional potential coded within microbial community genomes are still
poorly understood. Salinity is one of the primary determinants of microbial
community structure and can vary strongly along gradients within a variety
of habitats. To test the hypothesis that shifts in salinity will also alter
the bulk biogeochemical potential of aquatic microbial assemblages, we
generated four metagenomic DNA sequence libraries from sediment samples
taken along a continuous, natural salinity gradient in the Coorong lagoon,
Australia, and compared them to physical and chemical parameters. A total of
392483 DNA sequences obtained from four sediment samples were generated and
used to compare genomic characteristics along the gradient. The most
significant shifts along the salinity gradient were in the genetic potential
for halotolerance and photosynthesis, which were more highly represented in
hypersaline samples. At these sites, halotolerance was achieved by an
increase in genes responsible for the acquisition of compatible solutes –
organic chemicals which influence the carbon, nitrogen and methane cycles of
sediment. Photosynthesis gene increases were coupled to an increase in genes
matching Cyanobacteria, which are responsible for mediating CO2 and
nitrogen cycles. These salinity driven shifts in gene abundance will
influence nutrient cycles along the gradient, controlling the ecology and
biogeochemistry of the entire ecosystem. |
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