Subsurface Microbial Diversity in Deep-Granitic-Fracture Water in Colorado

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.01133-07
• Publication Date: 2007-11-03T00:45:11Z
• Authors: Jason W. Sahl; Raleigh Schmidt; Elizabeth D. Swanner; Kevin W. Mandernack; Alexis S. Templeton; Thomas L. Kieft; Richard L. Smith; William E. Sanford; Robert L. Callaghan; Jeffry B. Mitton; John R. Spear
• Keywords: DNA, Bacterial; 0301 basic medicine; Colorado; Bacteria; Molecular Sequence Data; Water; Biodiversity; Sequence Analysis, DNA; 15. Life on land; DNA, Ribosomal; 6. Clean water; 03 medical and health sciences; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Water Microbiology; Phospholipids; Phylogeny; Soil Microbiology

ABSTRACT A microbial community analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on borehole water and a granite rock core from Henderson Mine, >1,000-meter-deep molybdenum mine near Empire, CO. Chemical of at two separate depths (1,044 m 1,004 below the entrance) suggests that sharp chemical gradient exists, likely mixing distinct subsurface fluids, one metal rich relatively dilute; this has created unique niches for microorganisms. The analyzed filtered, oxic indicated an abundance sequences iron-oxidizing bacteria ( Gallionella spp.) compared to same after 2 weeks being plugged with expandable packer. Statistical analyses UniFrac revealed significant shift in structure following addition Phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) suggested Nitrosomonadales dominated borehole, while PLFAs indicative anaerobic were most abundant samples borehole. Microbial represented primarily by Firmicutes , Proteobacteria lineage which did not group any identified bacterial division; phylogenetic confirmed presence novel candidate division. This “Henderson division” clone libraries dilute anoxic fluids. Sequences obtained granitic (1,740 surface) divisions (primarily family Ralstoniaceae ) . grouping within also found metal-rich fluids yet absent more Lineage-specific comparisons, combined statistical analyses, show geochemical variance important effect deep, systems.