Heavy-Metal-Resistant Microorganisms in Deep-Sea Sediments Disturbed by Mining Activity: An Application Toward the Development of Experimental in vitro Systems

Frontiers in Marine Science

Matthias S. Ullrich¹  Benjamin Gillard²  Laurenz Thomsen²  Damianos Chatzievangelou² 

[1] Department of Life Science and Chemistry, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany;Department of Physics and Earth Science, Jacobs University Bremen, Bremen, Germany;MARUM – Center for Marine Environmental Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany;

关键词: deep-sea mining;    CCZ;    sediment;    bacteria;    heavy metal;    API strips;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmars.2019.00462

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Future mining of polymetallic nodules in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (Northeastern Pacific) is expected to affect all benthic ecosystems. The diversity, distribution, and environmental functions of microorganisms inhabiting abyssal sediments are barely understood. To understand consequences of deep-sea mining, experimental in vitro systems needs to be established to test hypotheses on the environmental impact of mining. For this, 40 bacterial strains, belonging to proteobacteria, actinobacteria and firmicutes were isolated from deep-sea sediments and nodules sampled at depths of ≥ 4000 m. Phenotypic characterization revealed a strong inter-species and moderate intra-species variability. Determination of metal minimum inhibitory concentrations indicated the presence of acute manganese-resistant bacteria such as Rhodococcus erythropolis (228.9 mM), Loktanella cinnabarina (57.2 mM), and Dietzia maris (14.3 mM) that might be suitable systems for testing the effects of release of microbes from nodules and their interactions with sediment particles in plumes generated during mining. Comparative genomic analysis indicated the presence of manganese efflux systems relevant for future transcriptomics or proteomics approaches with environmental samples and might serve in paving the way to develop model systems including representative organisms which are currently not cultivable. Monitoring deep-sea mining activity at abyssal depth is a challenge that has to be tackled. We proposed the use of API strips as a fast on-board methodology for bacterial monitoring as an indicator for sediment plume dispersions within the water column.

【 授权许可】

Unknown