Articles | Volume 16, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1133-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1133-2019
© Author(s) 2019. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
The origin and role of biological rock crusts in rocky desert weathering
Nimrod Wieler
Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for
Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus,
Israel
Hanan Ginat
The Dead Sea and Arava Science Center, Israel
Osnat Gillor
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Blaustein Institutes for
Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus,
Israel
Soil and Water Research Infrastructure and Institute of Soil Biology,
Biology Centre CAS, Czechia
Related authors
Nimrod Wieler, Tali Erickson Gini, Osnat Gillor, and Roey Angel
Biogeosciences, 18, 3331–3342, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3331-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3331-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Biological rock crusts (BRCs) are common microbial-based assemblages covering rocks in drylands. BRCs play a crucial role in arid environments because of the limited activity of plants and soil. Nevertheless, BRC development rates have never been dated. Here we integrated archaeological, microbiological and geological methods to provide a first estimation of the growth rate of BRCs under natural conditions. This can serve as an affordable dating tool in archaeological sites in arid regions.
Talia Gabay, Eva Petrova, Osnat Gillor, Yaron Ziv, and Roey Angel
SOIL, 9, 231–242, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-231-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-9-231-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This paper evaluates bacterial growth in biocrusts after a large-scale mining disturbance in a hyperarid desert, using a stable isotope probing assay.
We discovered that biocrust bacteria from both natural and post-mining plots resumed photosynthetic activity but did not grow following hydration. Our paper provides insights into the effects of a large-scale disturbance (mining) on biocrusts and their response to hydration, with implications for biocrust restoration practices in Zin mines.
Elhanan Harel, Liran Goren, Onn Crouvi, Hanan Ginat, and Eitan Shelef
Earth Surf. Dynam., 10, 875–894, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-875-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-10-875-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Drainage reorganization redistributes drainage area across basins, resulting in channel and valley widths that may be unproportional to the new drainage area. We demonstrate scaling between valley width and drainage area in reorganized drainages that deviates from scaling in non-reorganized drainages. Further, deviation patterns are associated with different reorganization categories. Our findings are consequential for studies that rely on this scaling for valley width estimation.
Anne Daebeler, Eva Petrová, Elena Kinz, Susanne Grausenburger, Helene Berthold, Taru Sandén, Roey Angel, and the high-school students of biology project groups I, II, and
III from 2018–2019
SOIL, 8, 163–176, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-163-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-163-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this citizen science project, we combined a standardised litter bag method (Tea Bag Index) with microbiome analysis of bacteria and fungi colonising the teabags to gain a holistic understanding of the carbon degradation dynamics in temperate European soils. Our method focuses only on the active part of the soil microbiome. The results show that about one-third of the prokaryotes and one-fifth of the fungal species (ASVs) in the soil were enriched in response to the presence of fresh OM.
Capucine Baubin, Arielle M. Farrell, Adam Št'ovíček, Lusine Ghazaryan, Itamar Giladi, and Osnat Gillor
SOIL, 7, 611–637, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-611-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-7-611-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In this paper, we describe changes in desert soil bacterial diversity and function when two ecosystem engineers, shrubs and ant nests, in an arid environment are present. The results show that bacterial activity increases when there are ecosystem engineers and that their impact is non-additive. This is one of a handful of studies that investigated the separate and combined effects of ecosystem engineers on soil bacterial communities investigating both composition and function.
Capucine Baubin, Noya Ran, Hagar Siebner, and Osnat Gillor
SOIL Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2021-88, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-2021-88, 2021
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
In this manuscript, we describe changes in desert biocrust bacterial community during drought, rainfall, and dehydration in the Negev Desert. We followed the active bacterial community composition and their potential activity and showed that rainfall changes the bacterial community, triggers photosynthesis in soil phototrophs, and induces the production of extracellular polymeric substances that retain water during dehydration allowing bacterial cells to persist during the dehydration stage.
Nimrod Wieler, Tali Erickson Gini, Osnat Gillor, and Roey Angel
Biogeosciences, 18, 3331–3342, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3331-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3331-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Biological rock crusts (BRCs) are common microbial-based assemblages covering rocks in drylands. BRCs play a crucial role in arid environments because of the limited activity of plants and soil. Nevertheless, BRC development rates have never been dated. Here we integrated archaeological, microbiological and geological methods to provide a first estimation of the growth rate of BRCs under natural conditions. This can serve as an affordable dating tool in archaeological sites in arid regions.
Related subject area
Biogeochemistry: Environmental Microbiology
Changes in diazotrophic community structure associated with Kuroshio succession in the northern South China Sea
Technical note: A comparison of methods for estimating coccolith mass
Fractionation of stable carbon isotopes during formate consumption in anoxic rice paddy soils and lake sediments
Effects of surface water interactions with karst groundwater on microbial biomass, metabolism, and production
Characteristics of bacterial and fungal communities and their associations with sugar compounds in atmospheric aerosols at a rural site in northern China
Overview: ‘Global change effects on terrestrial biogeochemistry at the plant-soil interface’
Responses of globally important phytoplankton species to olivine dissolution products and implications for carbon dioxide removal via ocean alkalinity enhancement
Differentiation of cognate bacterial communities in thermokarst landscapes: implications for ecological consequences of permafrost degradation
A multi-phase biogeochemical model for mitigating earthquake-induced liquefaction via microbially induced desaturation and calcium carbonate precipitation
Phosphorus regulates ectomycorrhizal fungi biomass production in a Norway spruce forest
Reallocation of elemental content and macromolecules in the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi to acclimate to climate change
Abrasion of sedimentary rocks as a source of hydrogen peroxide and nutrients to subglacial ecosystems
Nitrous oxide (N2O) synthesis by the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa
Interdisciplinary strategy to assess the impact of meteorological variables on the biochemical composition of the rain and the dynamics of a small eutrophic lake under rain forcing
Depth-related patterns in microbial community responses to complex organic matter in the western North Atlantic Ocean
Assessing the influence of ocean alkalinity enhancement on a coastal phytoplankton community
Eddy-enhanced primary production sustains heterotrophic microbial activities in the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic
Composition and niche-specific characteristics of microbial consortia colonizing Marsberg copper mine in the Rhenish Massif
Diversity and assembly processes of microbial eukaryotic communities in Fildes Peninsula Lakes (West Antarctica)
Nitrophobic ectomycorrhizal fungi are associated with enhanced hydrophobicity of soil organic matter in a Norway spruce forest
Physiological control on carbon isotope fractionation in marine phytoplankton
Implementation of mycorrhizal mechanisms into soil carbon model improves the prediction of long-term processes of plant litter decomposition
Impact of dust addition on the microbial food web under present and future conditions of pH and temperature
Fractionation of stable carbon isotopes during acetate consumption by methanogenic and sulfidogenic microbial communities in rice paddy soils and lake sediments
Hydrothermal trace metal release and microbial metabolism in the northeastern Lau Basin of the South Pacific Ocean
Sedimentation rate and organic matter dynamics shape microbiomes across a continental margin
Disturbance triggers non-linear microbe–environment feedbacks
Hydrographic fronts shape productivity, nitrogen fixation, and microbial community composition in the southern Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean
Microbial and geo-archaeological records reveal the growth rate, origin and composition of desert rock surface communities
Metagenomic insights into the metabolism of microbial communities that mediate iron and methane cycling in Lake Kinneret iron-rich methanic sediments
Spatiotemporal patterns of N2 fixation in coastal waters derived from rate measurements and remote sensing
Biotic and abiotic transformation of amino acids in cloud water: experimental studies and atmospheric implications
Potential bioavailability of organic matter from atmospheric particles to marine heterotrophic bacteria
Microbial functional signature in the atmospheric boundary layer
New insight to niche partitioning and ecological function of ammonia oxidizing archaea in subtropical estuarine ecosystem
Impact of reactive surfaces on the abiotic reaction between nitrite and ferrous iron and associated nitrogen and oxygen isotope dynamics
Reviews and syntheses: Bacterial bioluminescence – ecology and impact in the biological carbon pump
Salinity-dependent algae uptake and subsequent carbon and nitrogen metabolisms of two intertidal foraminifera (Ammonia tepida and Haynesina germanica)
On giant shoulders: how a seamount affects the microbial community composition of seawater and sponges
Spatial variations in sedimentary N-transformation rates in the North Sea (German Bight)
Patterns of (trace) metals and microorganisms in the Rainbow hydrothermal vent plume at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Co-occurrence of Fe and P stress in natural populations of the marine diazotroph Trichodesmium
Senescence as the main driver of iodide release from a diverse range of marine phytoplankton
Reviews and syntheses: Biological weathering and its consequences at different spatial levels – from nanoscale to global scale
Deep-sea sponge grounds as nutrient sinks: denitrification is common in boreo-Arctic sponges
Inducing the attachment of cable bacteria on oxidizing electrodes
Bacterial degradation activity in the eastern tropical South Pacific oxygen minimum zone
Macromolecular fungal ice nuclei in Fusarium: effects of physical and chemical processing
Effects of sea animal colonization on the coupling between dynamics and activity of soil ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea in maritime Antarctica
Comprehensive characterization of an aspen (Populus tremuloides) leaf litter sample that maintained ice nucleation activity for 48 years
Han Zhang, Guangming Mai, Weicheng Luo, Meng Chen, Ran Duan, and Tuo Shi
Biogeosciences, 21, 2529–2546, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2529-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-2529-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We report taxon-specific biogeography of N2-fixing microbes (diazotrophs) driven by Kuroshio intrusion (Kl) into the South China Sea. We show that the composition and distribution of distinct diazotrophic taxa shift with Kl-induced variations in physicochemical parameters of seawater and that Kl shapes diazotrophic community primarily as a stochastic process. This study thus has implications for the distribution of diazotrophs in a future warming ocean, as Kls are projected to intensify.
Celina Rebeca Valença, Luc Beaufort, Gustaaf Marinus Hallegraeff, and Marius Nils Müller
Biogeosciences, 21, 1601–1611, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1601-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1601-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Coccolithophores contribute to the global carbon cycle and their calcite structures (coccoliths) are used as a palaeoproxy to understand past oceanographic conditions. Here, we compared three frequently used methods to estimate coccolith mass from the model species Emiliania huxleyi and the results allow for a high level of comparability between the methods, facilitating future comparisons and consolidation of mass changes observed from ecophysiological and biogeochemical studies.
Ralf Conrad and Peter Claus
Biogeosciences, 21, 1161–1172, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1161-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-1161-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Knowledge of carbon isotope fractionation is important for the assessment of the pathways involved in the degradation of organic matter. Formate is an important intermediate during this process. It was mainly converted to carbon dioxide and acetate both in the presence and absence of sulfate. Methane was only a minor product and was mainly formed from the acetate. The acetate was depleted in the heavy carbon atom relative to formate, while the carbon dioxide was enriched.
Adrian Barry-Sosa, Madison K. Flint, Justin C. Ellena, Jonathan B. Martin, and Brent C. Christner
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-49, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-49, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study examined springs in North Central Florida focusing on how interactions between the surface and subsurface affected the properties of groundwater microbes. We found that microbes reproduced at rates that greatly exceed those documented for any other aquifer. Although the groundwater discharged to spring runs contains low concentrations of nutrients, our results indicate that microbes have access to sources of energy and produce new cells at rates similar to surface water bodies.
Mutong Niu, Shu Huang, Wei Hu, Yajie Wang, Wanyun Xu, Wan Wei, Qiang Zhang, Zihan Wang, Donghuan Zhang, Rui Jin, Libin Wu, Junjun Deng, Fangxia Shen, and Pingqing Fu
Biogeosciences, 20, 4915–4930, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4915-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4915-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Sugar compounds in air can trace the source of bioaerosols that affect public health and climate. In rural north China, we observed increased fungal activity at night and less variable bacterial community diversity. Certain night-increasing sugar compounds were more closely related to fungi than bacteria. The fungal community greatly influenced sugar compounds, while bacteria played a limited role. Caution is advised when using sugar compounds to trace airborne microbes, particularly bacteria.
Lucia Fuchslueger, Emily F. Solly, Alberto Canarini, and Albert C. Brangarí
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2975, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2975, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
This overview features empirical, conceptual, and modelling-based studies of the special issue ‘Global change effects on terrestrial biogeochemistry at the plant-soil interface’, summarizing key findings on plants responses to eCO2, soil organisms responses to warming, impacts on soil organic carbon, nitrogen, and mineral nutrient cycling and water level changes affecting greenhouse gas emissions, from the arctic to tropics, crucial for deciphering feedbacks to global change.
David A. Hutchins, Fei-Xue Fu, Shun-Chung Yang, Seth G. John, Stephen J. Romaniello, M. Grace Andrews, and Nathan G. Walworth
Biogeosciences, 20, 4669–4682, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4669-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4669-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Applications of the mineral olivine are a promising means to capture carbon dioxide via coastal enhanced weathering, but little is known about the impacts on important marine phytoplankton. We examined the effects of olivine dissolution products on species from three major phytoplankton groups: diatoms, coccolithophores, and cyanobacteria. Growth and productivity were generally either unaffected or stimulated, suggesting the effects of olivine on key phytoplankton are negligible or positive.
Ze Ren, Shudan Ye, Hongxuan Li, Xilei Huang, and Luyao Chen
Biogeosciences, 20, 4241–4258, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4241-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4241-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Permafrost thaw initiates thermokarst landscape formation, resulting in distinct new habitats, including degraded permafrost soil, thermokarst lake sediments, and lake water. These distinct habitats harbored differentiated bacterial communities that originated from the same source, differing in diversity, assembly mechanisms, and environmental influences. The results imply ecological consequences of permafrost degradation in the face of further climate change.
Caitlyn A. Hall, Andre van Turnhout, Edward Kavazanjian Jr., Leon A. van Paassen, and Bruce Rittmann
Biogeosciences, 20, 2903–2917, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2903-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-2903-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Earthquake-induced soil liquefaction poses a significant global threat. Microbially induced desaturation and precipitation (MIDP) via denitrification is a potentially sustainable, non-disruptive bacteria-driven ground improvement technique under existing structures. We developed a next-generation biogeochemical model to understand and predict the behavior of MIDP in the natural environment to design field-based hazard mitigation treatments.
Juan Pablo Almeida, Lorenzo Menichetti, Alf Ekblad, Nicholas P. Rosenstock, and Håkan Wallander
Biogeosciences, 20, 1443–1458, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1443-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1443-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
In forests, trees allocate a significant amount of carbon belowground to support mycorrhizal symbiosis. In northern forests nitrogen normally regulates this allocation and consequently mycorrhizal fungi growth. In this study we demonstrate that in a conifer forest from Sweden, fungal growth is regulated by phosphorus instead of nitrogen. This is probably due to an increase in nitrogen deposition to soils caused by decades of human pollution that has altered the ecosystem nutrient regime.
Yong Zhang, Yong Zhang, Shuai Ma, Hanbing Chen, Jiabing Li, Zhengke Li, Kui Xu, Ruiping Huang, Hong Zhang, Yonghe Han, and Jun Sun
Biogeosciences, 20, 1299–1312, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1299-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-1299-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We found that increasing light intensity compensates for the negative effects of low phosphorus (P) availability on cellular protein and nitrogen contents. Reduced P availability, increasing light intensity, and ocean acidification act synergistically to increase cellular contents of carbohydrate and POC and the allocation of POC to carbohydrate. These regulation mechanisms in Emiliania huxleyi could provide vital information for evaluating carbon cycle in marine ecosystems under global change.
Beatriz Gill-Olivas, Jon Telling, Mark Skidmore, and Martyn Tranter
Biogeosciences, 20, 929–943, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-929-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-929-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Microbial ecosystems have been found in all subglacial environments sampled to date. Yet, little is known of the sources of energy and nutrients that sustain these microbial populations. This study shows that crushing of sedimentary rocks, which contain organic carbon, carbonate and sulfide minerals, along with previously weathered silicate minerals, produces a range of compounds and nutrients which can be utilised by the diverse suite of microbes that inhabit glacier beds.
Federico Fabisik, Benoit Guieysse, Jonathan Procter, and Maxence Plouviez
Biogeosciences, 20, 687–693, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-687-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-687-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We show, for the first time, that pure cultures of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa can synthesize the potent greenhouse gas N2O using nitrite as substrate. Our findings have broad environmental implications because M. aeruginosa is globally found in freshwater ecosystems and is often the dominant species found in algae blooms. Further research is now needed to determine the occurrence and significance of N2O emissions from ecosystems rich with M. aeruginosa.
Fanny Noirmain, Jean-Luc Baray, Frédéric Tridon, Philippe Cacault, Hermine Billard, Guillaume Voyard, Joël Van Baelen, and Delphine Latour
Biogeosciences, 19, 5729–5749, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5729-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5729-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We present a study linking rain, meteorology, and mountain lake phytoplankton dynamics on the basis of a case study at Aydat (France) in September 2020. The air mass origin mainly influences the rain chemical composition, which depends on the type of rain, convective or stratiform. Our results also highlighted a non-negligible presence of photosynthetic cells in rainwater. The impact of the atmospheric forcing on the lake could play a key role in phytoplankton dynamics in the temperate zone.
Sarah A. Brown, John Paul Balmonte, Adrienne Hoarfrost, Sherif Ghobrial, and Carol Arnosti
Biogeosciences, 19, 5617–5631, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5617-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5617-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Bacteria use extracellular enzymes to cut large organic matter to sizes small enough for uptake. We compared the enzymatic response of surface, mid-water, and deep-ocean bacteria to complex natural substrates. Bacteria in surface and mid-depth waters produced a much wider range of enzymes than those in the deep ocean and may therefore consume a broader range of organic matter. The extent to which organic matter is recycled by bacteria depends in part on its residence time at different depths.
Aaron Ferderer, Zanna Chase, Fraser Kennedy, Kai G. Schulz, and Lennart T. Bach
Biogeosciences, 19, 5375–5399, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5375-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5375-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Ocean alkalinity enhancement has the capacity to remove vast quantities of carbon from the atmosphere, but its effect on marine ecosystems is largely unknown. We assessed the effect of increased alkalinity on a coastal phytoplankton community when seawater was equilibrated and not equilibrated with atmospheric CO2. We found that the phytoplankton community was moderately affected by increased alkalinity and equilibration with atmospheric CO2 had little influence on this effect.
Quentin Devresse, Kevin W. Becker, Arne Bendinger, Johannes Hahn, and Anja Engel
Biogeosciences, 19, 5199–5219, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5199-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-5199-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Eddies are ubiquitous in the ocean and alter physical, chemical, and biological processes. However, how they affect organic carbon production and consumption is largely unknown. Here we show how an eddy triggers a cascade effect on biomass production and metabolic activities of phyto- and bacterioplankton. Our results may contribute to the improvement of biogeochemical models used to estimate carbon fluxes in the ocean.
Sania Arif, Heiko Nacke, Elias Schliekmann, Andreas Reimer, Gernot Arp, and Michael Hoppert
Biogeosciences, 19, 4883–4902, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4883-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4883-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The natural enrichment of Chloroflexi (Ktedonobacteria) at the Kilianstollen Marsberg copper mine rocks being exposed to the acidic sulfate-rich leachate led to an investigation of eight metagenomically assembled genomes (MAGs) involved in copper and other transition heavy metal resistance in addition to low pH resistance and aromatic compounds degradation. The present study offers functional insights about a novel cold-adapted Ktedonobacteria MAG extremophily along with other phyla MAGs.
Chunmei Zhang, Huirong Li, Yinxin Zeng, Haitao Ding, Bin Wang, Yangjie Li, Zhongqiang Ji, Yonghong Bi, and Wei Luo
Biogeosciences, 19, 4639–4654, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4639-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4639-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The unique microbial eukaryotic community structure and lower diversity have been demonstrated in five freshwater lakes of the Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica. Stochastic processes and biotic co-occurrence patterns were shown to be important in shaping microbial eukaryotic communities in the area. Our study provides a better understanding of the dynamic patterns and ecological assembly processes of microbial eukaryotic communities in Antarctic oligotrophic lakes (Fildes Peninsula).
Juan Pablo Almeida, Nicholas P. Rosenstock, Susanne K. Woche, Georg Guggenberger, and Håkan Wallander
Biogeosciences, 19, 3713–3726, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3713-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3713-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Fungi living in symbiosis with tree roots can accumulate belowground, forming special tissues than can repel water. We measured the water repellency of organic material incubated belowground and correlated it with fungal growth. We found a positive association between water repellency and root symbiotic fungi. These results are important because an increase in soil water repellency can reduce the release of CO2 from soils into the atmosphere and mitigate the effects of greenhouse gasses.
Karen M. Brandenburg, Björn Rost, Dedmer B. Van de Waal, Mirja Hoins, and Appy Sluijs
Biogeosciences, 19, 3305–3315, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3305-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-3305-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Reconstructions of past CO2 concentrations rely on proxy estimates, with one line of proxies relying on the CO2-dependence of stable carbon isotope fractionation in marine phytoplankton. Culturing experiments provide insights into which processes may impact this. We found, however, that the methods with which these culturing experiments are performed also influence 13C fractionation. Caution should therefore be taken when extrapolating results from these experiments to proxy applications.
Weilin Huang, Peter M. van Bodegom, Toni Viskari, Jari Liski, and Nadejda A. Soudzilovskaia
Biogeosciences, 19, 1469–1490, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1469-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1469-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This work focuses on one of the essential pathways of mycorrhizal impact on C cycles: the mediation of plant litter decomposition. We present a model based on litter chemical quality which precludes a conclusive examination of mycorrhizal impacts on soil C. It improves long-term decomposition predictions and advances our understanding of litter decomposition dynamics. It creates a benchmark in quantitatively examining the impacts of plant–microbe interactions on soil C dynamics.
Julie Dinasquet, Estelle Bigeard, Frédéric Gazeau, Farooq Azam, Cécile Guieu, Emilio Marañón, Céline Ridame, France Van Wambeke, Ingrid Obernosterer, and Anne-Claire Baudoux
Biogeosciences, 19, 1303–1319, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1303-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-1303-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Saharan dust deposition of nutrients and trace metals is crucial to microbes in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, we tested the response of microbial and viral communities to simulated dust deposition under present and future conditions of temperature and pH. Overall, the effect of the deposition was dependent on the initial microbial assemblage, and future conditions will intensify microbial responses. We observed effects on trophic interactions, cascading all the way down to viral processes.
Ralf Conrad, Pengfei Liu, and Peter Claus
Biogeosciences, 18, 6533–6546, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6533-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-6533-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Acetate is an important intermediate during the anaerobic degradation of organic matter. It is consumed by methanogenic and sulfidogenic microorganisms accompanied by stable carbon isotope fractionation. We determined isotope fractionation under different conditions in two paddy soils and two lake sediments and also determined the composition of the microbial communities. Despite a relatively wide range of experimental conditions, the range of fractionation factors was quite moderate.
Natalie R. Cohen, Abigail E. Noble, Dawn M. Moran, Matthew R. McIlvin, Tyler J. Goepfert, Nicholas J. Hawco, Christopher R. German, Tristan J. Horner, Carl H. Lamborg, John P. McCrow, Andrew E. Allen, and Mak A. Saito
Biogeosciences, 18, 5397–5422, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5397-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5397-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A previous study documented an intense hydrothermal plume in the South Pacific Ocean; however, the iron release associated with this plume and the impact on microbiology were unclear. We describe metal concentrations associated with multiple hydrothermal plumes in this region and protein signatures of plume-influenced microbes. Our findings demonstrate that resources released from these systems can be transported away from their source and may alter the physiology of surrounding microbes.
Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, Tarunendu Mapder, Svetlana Fernandes, Chayan Roy, Jagannath Sarkar, Moidu Jameela Rameez, Subhrangshu Mandal, Abhijit Sar, Amit Kumar Chakraborty, Nibendu Mondal, Sumit Chatterjee, Bomba Dam, Aditya Peketi, Ranadhir Chakraborty, Aninda Mazumdar, and Wriddhiman Ghosh
Biogeosciences, 18, 5203–5222, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5203-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5203-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Physicochemical determinants of microbiome architecture across continental shelves–slopes are unknown, so we explored the geomicrobiology along 3 m sediment horizons of seasonal (shallow coastal) and perennial (deep sea) hypoxic zones of the Arabian Sea. Nature, concentration, and fate of the organic matter delivered to the sea floor were found to shape the microbiome across the western Indian margin, under direct–indirect influence of sedimentation rate and water column O2 level.
Aditi Sengupta, Sarah J. Fansler, Rosalie K. Chu, Robert E. Danczak, Vanessa A. Garayburu-Caruso, Lupita Renteria, Hyun-Seob Song, Jason Toyoda, Jacqueline Hager, and James C. Stegen
Biogeosciences, 18, 4773–4789, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4773-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4773-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Conceptual models link microbes with the environment but are untested. We test a recent model using riverbed sediments. We exposed sediments to disturbances, going dry and becoming wet again. As the length of dry conditions got longer, there was a sudden shift in the ecology of microbes, chemistry of organic matter, and rates of microbial metabolism. We propose a new model based on feedbacks initiated by disturbance that cascade across biological, chemical, and functional aspects of the system.
Cora Hörstmann, Eric J. Raes, Pier Luigi Buttigieg, Claire Lo Monaco, Uwe John, and Anya M. Waite
Biogeosciences, 18, 3733–3749, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3733-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3733-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Microbes are the main drivers of productivity and nutrient cycling in the ocean. We present a combined approach assessing C and N uptake and microbial community diversity across ecological provinces in the Southern Ocean and southern Indian Ocean. Provinces showed distinct genetic fingerprints, but microbial activity varied gradually across regions, correlating with nutrient concentrations. Our study advances the biogeographic understanding of microbial diversity across C and N uptake regimes.
Nimrod Wieler, Tali Erickson Gini, Osnat Gillor, and Roey Angel
Biogeosciences, 18, 3331–3342, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3331-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-3331-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Biological rock crusts (BRCs) are common microbial-based assemblages covering rocks in drylands. BRCs play a crucial role in arid environments because of the limited activity of plants and soil. Nevertheless, BRC development rates have never been dated. Here we integrated archaeological, microbiological and geological methods to provide a first estimation of the growth rate of BRCs under natural conditions. This can serve as an affordable dating tool in archaeological sites in arid regions.
Michal Elul, Maxim Rubin-Blum, Zeev Ronen, Itay Bar-Or, Werner Eckert, and Orit Sivan
Biogeosciences, 18, 2091–2106, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-2091-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-2091-2021, 2021
Mindaugas Zilius, Irma Vybernaite-Lubiene, Diana Vaiciute, Donata Overlingė, Evelina Grinienė, Anastasija Zaiko, Stefano Bonaglia, Iris Liskow, Maren Voss, Agneta Andersson, Sonia Brugel, Tobia Politi, and Paul A. Bukaveckas
Biogeosciences, 18, 1857–1871, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1857-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1857-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In fresh and brackish waters, algal blooms are often dominated by cyanobacteria, which have the ability to utilize atmospheric nitrogen. Cyanobacteria are also unusual in that they float to the surface and are dispersed by wind-driven currents. Their patchy and dynamic distribution makes it difficult to track their abundance and quantify their effects on nutrient cycling. We used remote sensing to map the distribution of cyanobacteria in a large Baltic lagoon and quantify their contributions.
Saly Jaber, Muriel Joly, Maxence Brissy, Martin Leremboure, Amina Khaled, Barbara Ervens, and Anne-Marie Delort
Biogeosciences, 18, 1067–1080, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1067-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-1067-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Our study is of interest to atmospheric scientists and environmental microbiologists, as we show that clouds can be considered a medium where bacteria efficiently degrade and transform amino acids, in competition with chemical processes. As current atmospheric multiphase models are restricted to chemical degradation of organic compounds, our conclusions motivate further model development.
Kahina Djaoudi, France Van Wambeke, Aude Barani, Nagib Bhairy, Servanne Chevaillier, Karine Desboeufs, Sandra Nunige, Mohamed Labiadh, Thierry Henry des Tureaux, Dominique Lefèvre, Amel Nouara, Christos Panagiotopoulos, Marc Tedetti, and Elvira Pulido-Villena
Biogeosciences, 17, 6271–6285, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6271-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6271-2020, 2020
Romie Tignat-Perrier, Aurélien Dommergue, Alban Thollot, Olivier Magand, Timothy M. Vogel, and Catherine Larose
Biogeosciences, 17, 6081–6095, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6081-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6081-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The adverse atmospheric environmental conditions do not appear suited for microbial life. We conducted the first global comparative metagenomic analysis to find out if airborne microbial communities might be selected by their ability to resist these adverse conditions. The relatively higher concentration of fungi led to the observation of higher proportions of stress-related functions in air. Fungi might likely resist and survive atmospheric physical stress better than bacteria.
Yanhong Lu, Shunyan Cheung, Ling Chen, Shuh-Ji Kao, Xiaomin Xia, Jianping Gan, Minhan Dai, and Hongbin Liu
Biogeosciences, 17, 6017–6032, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6017-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-6017-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Through a comprehensive investigation, we observed differential niche partitioning among diverse ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) sublineages in a typical subtropical estuary. Distinct AOA communities observed at DNA and RNA levels suggested that a strong divergence in ammonia-oxidizing activity among different AOA groups occurs. Our result highlights the importance of identifying major ammonia oxidizers at RNA level in future studies.
Anna-Neva Visser, Scott D. Wankel, Pascal A. Niklaus, James M. Byrne, Andreas A. Kappler, and Moritz F. Lehmann
Biogeosciences, 17, 4355–4374, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4355-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-4355-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This study focuses on the chemical reaction between Fe(II) and nitrite, which has been reported to produce high levels of the greenhouse gas N2O. We investigated the extent to which dead biomass and Fe(II) minerals might enhance this reaction. Here, nitrite reduction was highest when both additives were present but less pronounced if only Fe(II) minerals were added. Both reaction systems show distinct differences, rather low N2O levels, and indicated the abiotic production of N2.
Lisa Tanet, Séverine Martini, Laurie Casalot, and Christian Tamburini
Biogeosciences, 17, 3757–3778, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3757-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3757-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Bioluminescent bacteria, the most abundant light-emitting organisms in the ocean, can be free-living, be symbiotic or colonize organic particles. This review suggests that they act as a visual target and may indirectly influence the sequestration of biogenic carbon in oceans by increasing the attraction rate for consumers. We summarize the instrumentation available to quantify this impact in future studies and propose synthetic figures integrating these ecological and biogeochemical concepts.
Michael Lintner, Bianca Biedrawa, Julia Wukovits, Wolfgang Wanek, and Petra Heinz
Biogeosciences, 17, 3723–3732, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3723-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3723-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Foraminifera are unicellular marine organisms that play an important role in the marine element cycle. Changes of environmental parameters such as salinity or temperature have a significant impact on the faunal assemblages. Our experiments show that changing salinity in the German Wadden Sea immediately influences the foraminiferal community. It seems that A. tepida is better adapted to salinity fluctuations than H. germanica.
Kathrin Busch, Ulrike Hanz, Furu Mienis, Benjamin Mueller, Andre Franke, Emyr Martyn Roberts, Hans Tore Rapp, and Ute Hentschel
Biogeosciences, 17, 3471–3486, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3471-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-3471-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Seamounts are globally abundant submarine structures that offer great potential to study the impacts and interactions of environmental gradients at a single geographic location. In an exemplary way, we describe potential mechanisms by which a seamount can affect the structure of pelagic and benthic (sponge-)associated microbial communities. We conclude that the geology, physical oceanography, biogeochemistry, and microbiology of seamounts are even more closely linked than currently appreciated.
Alexander Bratek, Justus E. E. van
Beusekom, Andreas Neumann, Tina Sanders, Jana Friedrich, Kay-Christian Emeis, and Kirstin Dähnke
Biogeosciences, 17, 2839–2851, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2839-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2839-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The following paper highlights the importance of benthic N-transformation rates in different sediment types in the southern North Sea as a source of fixed nitrogen for primary producers and also as a sink of fixed nitrogen. Sedimentary fluxes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen support ∼7 to 59 % of the average annual primary production. Semi-permeable and permeable sediments contribute ∼68 % of the total benthic N2 production rates, counteracting eutrophication in the southern North Sea.
Sabine Haalboom, David M. Price, Furu Mienis, Judith D. L. van Bleijswijk, Henko C. de Stigter, Harry J. Witte, Gert-Jan Reichart, and Gerard C. A. Duineveld
Biogeosciences, 17, 2499–2519, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2499-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2499-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Mineral mining in deep-sea hydrothermal settings will lead to the formation of plumes of fine-grained, chemically reactive, suspended matter. Understanding how natural hydrothermal plumes evolve as they disperse from their source, and how they affect their surrounding environment, may help in characterising the behaviour of the diluted part of mining plumes. The natural plume provided a heterogeneous, geochemically enriched habitat conducive to the development of a distinct microbial ecology.
Noelle A. Held, Eric A. Webb, Matthew M. McIlvin, David A. Hutchins, Natalie R. Cohen, Dawn M. Moran, Korinna Kunde, Maeve C. Lohan, Claire Mahaffey, E. Malcolm S. Woodward, and Mak A. Saito
Biogeosciences, 17, 2537–2551, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2537-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2537-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Trichodesmium is a globally important marine nitrogen fixer that stimulates primary production in the surface ocean. We surveyed metaproteomes of Trichodesmium populations across the North Atlantic and other oceans, and we found that they experience simultaneous phosphate and iron stress because of the biophysical limits of nutrient uptake. Importantly, nitrogenase was most abundant during co-stress, indicating the potential importance of this phenotype to global nitrogen and carbon cycling.
Helmke Hepach, Claire Hughes, Karen Hogg, Susannah Collings, and Rosie Chance
Biogeosciences, 17, 2453–2471, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2453-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2453-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Tropospheric iodine takes part in numerous atmospheric chemical cycles, including tropospheric ozone destruction and aerosol formation. Due to its significance for atmospheric processes, it is crucial to constrain its sources and sinks. This paper aims at investigating and understanding features of biogenic iodate-to-iodide reduction in microalgal monocultures. We find that phytoplankton senescence may play a crucial role in the release of iodide to the marine environment.
Roger D. Finlay, Shahid Mahmood, Nicholas Rosenstock, Emile B. Bolou-Bi, Stephan J. Köhler, Zaenab Fahad, Anna Rosling, Håkan Wallander, Salim Belyazid, Kevin Bishop, and Bin Lian
Biogeosciences, 17, 1507–1533, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1507-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1507-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Effects of biological activity on mineral weathering operate at scales ranging from short-term, microscopic interactions to global, evolutionary timescale processes. Microorganisms have had well-documented effects at large spatio-temporal scales, but to establish the quantitative significance of microscopic measurements for field-scale processes, higher-resolution studies of liquid chemistry at local weathering sites and improved upscaling to soil-scale dissolution rates are still required.
Christine Rooks, James Kar-Hei Fang, Pål Tore Mørkved, Rui Zhao, Hans Tore Rapp, Joana R. Xavier, and Friederike Hoffmann
Biogeosciences, 17, 1231–1245, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1231-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-1231-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Sponge grounds are known as nutrient sources, providing nitrate and ammonium to the ocean. We found that they also can do the opposite: in six species from Arctic and North Atlantic sponge grounds, we measured high rates of denitrification, which remove these nutrients from the sea. Rates were highest when the sponge tissue got low in oxygen, which happens when sponges stop pumping because of stress. Sponge grounds may become nutrient sinks when exposed to stress.
Cheng Li, Clare E. Reimers, and Yvan Alleau
Biogeosciences, 17, 597–607, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-597-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-597-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Novel filamentous cable bacteria that grow in the top layer of intertidal mudflat sediment were attracted to electrodes poised at a positive electrical potential. Several diverse morphologies of Desulfobulbaceae filaments, cells, and colonies were observed on the electrode surface. These observations provide information to suggest conditions that will induce cable bacteria to perform electron donation to an electrode, informing future experiments that culture cable bacteria outside of sediment.
Marie Maßmig, Jan Lüdke, Gerd Krahmann, and Anja Engel
Biogeosciences, 17, 215–230, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-215-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-215-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Little is known about the rates of bacterial element cycling in oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). We measured bacterial production and rates of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes at various in situ oxygen concentrations in the OMZ off Peru. Our field data show unhampered bacterial activity at low oxygen concentrations. Meanwhile bacterial degradation of organic matter substantially contributed to the formation of the OMZ.
Anna T. Kunert, Mira L. Pöhlker, Kai Tang, Carola S. Krevert, Carsten Wieder, Kai R. Speth, Linda E. Hanson, Cindy E. Morris, David G. Schmale III, Ulrich Pöschl, and Janine Fröhlich-Nowoisky
Biogeosciences, 16, 4647–4659, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-4647-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-4647-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
A screening of more than 100 strains from 65 different species revealed that the ice nucleation activity within the fungal genus Fusarium is more widespread than previously assumed. Filtration experiments suggest that the single cell-free Fusarium IN is smaller than 100 kDa (~ 6 nm) and that aggregates can be formed in solution. Exposure experiments, freeze–thaw cycles, and long-term storage tests demonstrate a high stability of Fusarium IN under atmospherically relevant conditions.
Qing Wang, Renbin Zhu, Yanling Zheng, Tao Bao, and Lijun Hou
Biogeosciences, 16, 4113–4128, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-4113-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-4113-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated abundance, potential activity, and diversity of soil ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in five Antarctic tundra patches, including penguin colony, seal colony, and tundra marsh. We have found (1) sea animal colonization increased AOB population size.; (2) AOB contributed to ammonia oxidation rates more than AOA in sea animal colonies; (3) community structures of AOB and AOA were closely related to soil biogeochemical processes associated with animal activities.
Yalda Vasebi, Marco E. Mechan Llontop, Regina Hanlon, David G. Schmale III, Russell Schnell, and Boris A. Vinatzer
Biogeosciences, 16, 1675–1683, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1675-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-16-1675-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
Ice nucleation particles (INPs) help ice form at temperatures as high as −4 °C and contribute to the formation of precipitation. Leaf litter contains a high concentration of INPs, but the organisms that produce them are unknown. Here, we cultured two bacteria and one fungus from leaf litter that produce INPs similar to those found in leaf litter. This suggests that leaf litter may be an important habitat of these organisms and supports a role of these organisms as producers of atmospheric INPs.
Cited articles
Adams, J. B., Palmer, F., and Staley, J. T.: Rock weathering in deserts:
Mobilization and concentration of ferric iron by microorganisms,
Geomicrobiol. J., 10, 99–114, https://doi.org/10.1080/01490459209377910, 1992.
Alonso-Zarza, A. M. and Wright, V. P.: Chapter 5 Calcretes, in Developments
in Sedimentology, vol. 61, 225–267, Elsevier, 2010.
Alonso-Zarza, A. M., Bustamante, L., Huerta, P., Rodríguez-Berriguete,
Á., and Huertas, M. J.: Chabazite and dolomite formation in a dolocrete
profile: An example of a complex alkaline paragenesis in Lanzarote, Canary
Islands, Sediment. Geol., 337, 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2016.02.018,
2016.
Amit, R., Harrison, J. B. J., Enzel, Y., and Porat, N.: Soils as a tool for
estimating ages of Quaternary fault scarps in a hyperarid environment –
the southern Arava valley, the Dead Sea Rift, Israel, CATENA, 28,
21–45, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(96)00028-8, 1996.
Amit, R., Enzel, Y., Grodek, T., Crouvi, O., Porat, N., and Ayalon, A.: The
role of rare rainstorms in the formation of calcic soil horizons on alluvial
surfaces in extreme deserts, Quat. Res., 74, 177–187,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2010.06.001, 2010.
Amit, R., Enzel, Y., Crouvi, O., Simhai, O., Matmon, A., Porat, N.,
McDonald, E., and Gillespie, A. R.: The role of the Nile in initiating a
massive dust influx to the Negev late in the middle Pleistocene, Geol. Soc.
Am. Bull., 123, 873–889, https://doi.org/10.1130/B30241.1, 2011.
Andrews, J. E., Singhvi, A. K., Kailath, A. J., Kuhn, R., Dennis, P. F.,
Tandon, S. K., and Dhir, R. P.: Do Stable Isotope Data from Calcrete Record
Late Pleistocene Monsoonal Climate Variation in the Thar Desert of India?,
Quat. Res., 50, 240–251, https://doi.org/10.1006/qres.1998.2002, 1998.
Angel, R.: Analysis scripts, data files and plots used in the manuscript: roey-angel/Rock_weathering,
HTML, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1478476 (last access: March 2019), 2018.
Angel, R. and Conrad, R.: Elucidating the microbial resuscitation cascade in
biological soil crusts following a simulated rain event, Environ.
Microbiol., 15, 2799–2815, https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.12140, 2013.
Angel, R., Claus, P., and Conrad, R.: Methanogenic archaea are globally
ubiquitous in aerated soils and become active under wet anoxic conditions,
ISME J., 6, 847–862, https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2011.141, 2012.
Azua-Bustos, A., Urrejola, C., and Vicuña, R.: Life at the dry edge:
Microorganisms of the Atacama Desert, FEBS Lett., 586, 2939–2945,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.febslet.2012.07.025, 2012.
Barberán, A., Henley, J., Fierer, N., and Casamayor, E. O.: Structure,
inter-annual recurrence, and global-scale connectivity of airborne microbial
communities, Sci. Total Environ., 487, 187–195,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.04.030, 2014.
Barnard, R. L., Osborne, C. A., and Firestone, M. K.: Responses of soil
bacterial and fungal communities to extreme desiccation and rewetting, ISME
J., 7, 2229–2241, https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2013.104, 2013.
Ben Gurion University of the Negev: Arid and hyperarid rock crust, soil crust and dust microboime, available at: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/data/view/PRJNA381483, last access: March
2019.
Brandmeier, M., Kuhlemann, J., Krumrei, I., Kappler, A., and Kubik, P. W.:
New challenges for tafoni research. A new approach to understand processes
and weathering rates, Earth Surf. Process. Landf., 36, 839–852,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2112, 2011.
Brantley, S. L., Megonigal, J. P., Scatena, F. N., Balogh-Brunstad, Z.,
Barnes, R. T., Bruns, M. A., Cappellen, P. V., Dontsova, K., Hartnett, H.
E., Hartshorn, A. S., Heimsath, A., Herndon, E., Jin, L., Keller, C. K.,
Leake, J. R., Mcdowell, W. H., Meinzer, F. C., Mozdzer, T. J., Petsch, S.,
Pett-Ridge, J., Pregitzer, K. S., Raymond, P. A., Riebe, C. S., Shumaker,
K., Sutton-Grier, A., Walter, R., and Yoo, K.: Twelve testable hypotheses on
the geobiology of weathering, Geobiology, 9, 140–165,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4669.2010.00264.x, 2011.
Brlek, M. and Glumac, B.: Stable isotopic (δ13C and δ18O)
signatures of biogenic calcretes marking discontinuity surfaces: a case
study from Upper Cretaceous carbonates of central Dalmatia and eastern
Istria, Croatia, Facies, 60, 773–788, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10347-014-0403-7,
2014.
Bruins, H. J.: Ancient desert agriculture in the Negev and climate-zone
boundary changes during average, wet and drought years, J. Arid Environ.,
86, 28–42, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2012.01.015, 2012.
Bruthans, J., Soukup, J., Vaculikova, J., Filippi, M., Schweigstillova, J.,
Mayo, A. L., Masin, D., Kletetschka, G., and Rihosek, J.: Sandstone landforms
shaped by negative feedback between stress and erosion, Nat. Geosci., 7,
597–601, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2209, 2014.
Bruthans, J., Filippi, M., Slavík, M., and Svobodová, E.: Origin of
honeycombs: Testing the hydraulic and case hardening hypotheses,
Geomorphology, 303, 68–83, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2017.11.013, 2018.
Büdel, B., Weber, B., Kühl, M., Pfanz, H., Sültemeyer, D., and
Wessels, D.: Reshaping of sandstone surfaces by cryptoendolithic
cyanobacteria: bioalkalization causes chemical weathering in arid
landscapes, Geobiology, 2, 261–268,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-4677.2004.00040.x, 2004.
Chen, L., Reeve, J., Zhang, L., Huang, S., Wang, X., and Chen, J.: GMPR: A
robust normalization method for zero-inflated count data with application to
microbiome sequencing data, PeerJ, 6, e4600, https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4600, 2018.
Cooke, R. U.: Laboratory simulation of salt weathering processes in arid
environments, Earth Surf. Process., 4, 347–359,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290040405, 1979.
Crouvi, O., Amit, R., Enzel, Y., Porat, N., and Sandler, A.: Sand dunes as a
major proximal dust source for late Pleistocene loess in the Negev Desert,
Israel, Quat. Res., 70, 275–282, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2008.04.011, 2008.
Davey, M. E. and O'toole, G. A.: Microbial biofilms: from ecology to
molecular genetics, Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., 64, 847–867,
https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.64.4.847-867.2000, 2000.
Drews, A., Lee, C.-H., and Kraume, M.: Membrane fouling – a review on the
role of EPS, Desalination, 200, 186–188,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2006.03.290, 2006.
Dupraz, C., Reid, R. P., Braissant, O., Decho, A. W., Norman, R. S., and
Visscher, P. T.: Processes of carbonate precipitation in modern microbial
mats, Earth-Sci. Rev., 96, 141–162, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2008.10.005,
2009.
Edgar, R. C.: UPARSE: highly accurate OTU sequences from microbial amplicon
reads, Nat. Methods, 10, 996–998, https://doi.org/10.1038/nmeth.2604, 2013.
Ehleringer, J. R., Cerling, T. E., and Helliker, B. R.: C4 photosynthesis,
atmospheric CO2, and climate, Oecologia, 112, 285–299,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s004420050311, 1997.
Fernandes, A. D., Reid, J. N., Macklaim, J. M., McMurrough, T. A., Edgell,
D. R., and Gloor, G. B.: Unifying the analysis of high-throughput sequencing
datasets: characterizing RNA-seq, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and selective
growth experiments by compositional data analysis, Microbiome, 2, 1–15,
https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-2618-2-15, 2014.
Ferrando, D., Toubiana, D., Kandiyote, N. S., Nguyen, T. H., Nejidat, A., and
Herzberg, M.: Ambivalent role of calcium in the viscoelastic properties of
extracellular polymeric substances and the consequent fouling of reverse
osmosis membranes, Desalination, 429, 12–19,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.12.006, 2018.
Ferreira, J. A. and Zwinderman, A. H.: On the Benjamini–Hochberg method,
Ann. Stat., 34, 1827–1849, https://doi.org/10.1214/009053606000000425, 2006.
Garcia-Pichel, F.: Plausible mechanisms for the boring on carbonates by
microbial phototrophs, Sediment. Geol., 185, 205–213,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.12.013, 2006.
Goossens, D. and Rajot, J. L.: Techniques to measure the dry aeolian
deposition of dust in arid and semi-arid landscapes: a comparative study in
West Niger, Earth Surf. Process. Landf., 33, 178–195,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1533, 2008.
Gorbushina, A. A.: Life on the rocks, Environ. Microbiol., 9, 1613–1631,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2007.01301.x, 2007.
Goudie, A. S.: Organic agency in calcrete development, J. Arid Environ.,
32, 103–110, https://doi.org/10.1006/jare.1996.0010, 1996.
Goudie, A. S.: Quantification of rock control in geomorphology, Earth-Sci.
Rev., 159, 374–387, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2016.06.012, 2016.
Goudie, A. S., Viles, H. A., and Parker, A. G.: Monitoring of rapid salt
weathering in the central Namib Desert using limestone blocks, J. Arid
Environ., 37, 581–598, https://doi.org/10.1006/jare.1997.0297, 1997.
Goudie, A. S., Wright, E., and Viles, H. A.: The roles of salt (sodium
nitrate) and fog in weathering: a laboratory simulation of conditions in the
northern Atacama Desert, Chile, CATENA, 48, 255–266,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0341-8162(02)00028-0, 2002.
Groom, K. M., Allen, C. D., Mol, L., Paradise, T. R., and Hall, K.: Defining
tafoni: Re-examining terminological ambiguity for cavernous rock decay
phenomena, Prog. Phys. Geogr., 39, 775–793,
https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133315605037, 2015.
Hamilton, N.: ggtern: An Extension to “ggplot2”, for the Creation of
Ternary Diagrams, available at:
https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=ggtern (last access: March 2019), 2017.
Horner-Devine, M. C. and Bohannan, B. J. M.: Phylogenetic clustering and
overdispersion in bacterial communities, Ecology, 87, S100–S108,
https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2006)87[100:PCAOIB]2.0.CO;2, 2006.
Huinink, H. P., Pel, L., and Kopinga, K.: Simulating the growth of tafoni,
Earth Surf. Process. Landf., 29, 1225–1233, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1087, 2004.
Ji, M., Greening, C., Vanwonterghem, I., Carere, C. R., Bay, S. K., Steen,
J. A., Montgomery, K., Lines, T., Beardall, J., Dorst, J. van, Snape, I.,
Stott, M. B., Hugenholtz, P., and Ferrari, B. C.: Atmospheric trace gases
support primary production in Antarctic desert surface soil, Nature, 552,
400–403,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature25014, 2017.
Jiang, W., Saxena, A., Song, B., Ward, B. B., Beveridge, T. J., and Myneni,
S. C. B.: Elucidation of Functional Groups on Gram-Positive and
Gram-Negative Bacterial Surfaces Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Langmuir, 20,
11433–11442, 2004.
Klindworth, A., Pruesse, E., Schweer, T., Peplies, J., Quast, C., Horn, M.,
and Glockner, F. O.: Evaluation of general 16S ribosomal RNA gene PCR
primers for classical and next-generation sequencing-based diversity
studies, Nucleic Acids Res., 41, e1, https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gks808, 2012.
Kuhlman, K. R., Fusco, W. G., La Duc, M. T., Allenbach, L. B., Ball, C. L.,
Kuhlman, G. M., Anderson, R. C., Erickson, I. K., Stuecker, T., Benardini,
J., Strap, J. L., and Crawford, R. L.: Diversity of Microorganisms within
Rock Varnish in the Whipple Mountains, California, Appl. Environ.
Microbiol., 72, 1708–1715, https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.72.2.1708-1715.2006, 2006.
Lang-Yona, N., Maier, S., Macholdt, D. S., Müller-Germann, I.,
Yordanova, P., Rodriguez-Caballero, E., Jochum, K. P., Al-Amri, A., Andreae,
M. O., Fröhlich-Nowoisky, J., and Weber, B.: Insights into microbial
involvement in desert varnish formation retrieved from metagenomic analysis,
Environ. Microbiol. Rep., 10, 264–271, https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.12634,
2018.
Lebre, P. H., Maayer, P. D., and Cowan, D. A.: Xerotolerant bacteria:
surviving through a dry spell, Nat. Rev. Microbiol., 15, 285–296,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2017.16, 2017.
Makhalanyane, T. P., Valverde, A., Birkeland, N.-K., Cary, S. C., Marla
Tuffin, I., and Cowan, D. A.: Evidence for successional development in
Antarctic hypolithic bacterial communities, ISME J., 7, 2080–2090,
https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2013.94, 2013.
Makhalanyane, T. P., Valverde, A., Gunnigle, E., Frossard, A., Ramond, J.-B.,
and Cowan, D. A.: Microbial ecology of hot desert edaphic systems, FEMS
Microbiol. Rev., 39, 203–221, https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fuu011, 2015.
Mangiafico, S.: rcompanion: Functions to Support Extension Education Program
Evaluation, available at:
https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=rcompanion (last access: March 2019), 2018.
McArdle, B. H. and Anderson, M. J.: Fitting multivariate models to community
data: a comment on distance-based redundancy analysis, Ecology, 82,
290–297, https://doi.org/10.1890/0012-9658(2001)082[0290:FMMTCD]2.0.CO;2, 2001.
McBride, E. F. and Picard, M. D.: Origin of honeycombs and related
weathering forms in Oligocene Macigno Sandstone, Tuscan coast near Livorno,
Italy, Earth Surf. Process. Landf., 29, 713–735, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1065,
2004.
McIlroy de la Rosa, J. P., Warke, P. A., and Smith, B. J.: The effects of
lichen cover upon the rate of solutional weathering of limestone,
Geomorphology, 220, 81–92, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.05.030, 2014.
McMurdie, P. J. and Holmes, S.: phyloseq: An R Package for Reproducible
Interactive Analysis and Graphics of Microbiome Census Data, PLOS ONE, 8,
e61217, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0061217, 2013.
Mora, C. I., Driese, S. G., and Seager, P. G.: Carbon dioxide in the
Paleozoic atmosphere: Evidence from carbon-isotope compositions of pedogenic
carbonate, Geology, 19, 1017, https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1991)019<1017:CDITPA>2.3.CO;2, 1991.
Mustoe, G. E.: Cavernous weathering in the Capitol Reef Desert, Utah, Earth
Surf. Process. Landf., 8, 517–526, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290080603, 1983.
Mustoe, G. E.: Biogenic origin of coastal honeycomb weathering, Earth Surf.
Process. Landf., 35, 424–434, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1931, 2010.
O'Hara, R. B.: Species richness estimators: how many species can dance on
the head of a pin?, J. Anim. Ecol., 74, 375–386,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2656.2005.00940.x, 2005.
Oksanen, J., Blanchet, F. G., Friendly, M., Kindt, R., Legendre, P.,
McGlinn, D., Minchin, P. R., O'Hara, R. B., Simpson, G. L., Solymos, P.,
Stevens, M. H. H., Szoecs, E., and Wagner, H.: vegan: Community Ecology
Package, available at:
https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=vegan (last access: March 2019), 2018.
Or, D., Smets, B. F., Wraith, J. M., Dechesne, A., and Friedman, S. P.:
Physical constraints affecting bacterial habitats and activity in
unsaturated porous media – a review, Adv. Water Resour., 30,
1505–1527, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2006.05.025, 2007.
Pointing, S. B. and Belnap, J.: Microbial colonization and controls in
dryland systems, Nat. Rev. Microbiol., 10, 551–562,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2831, 2012.
Quast, C., Pruesse, E., Yilmaz, P., Gerken, J., Schweer, T., Yarza, P., and
Glockner, F. O.: The SILVA ribosomal RNA gene database project: improved data
processing and web-based tools, Nucl. Acid. Res., 41, D590–D596,
https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gks1219, 2013.
R Core Team R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing. R
Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria, available at:
https://www.R-project.org/ (last access: March 2019), 2016.
Roberson, E. B. and Firestone, M. K.: Relationship between desiccation and
exopolysaccharide production in a soil Pseudomonas sp, Appl. Environ.
Microbiol., 58, 1284–1291, 1992.
Rodriguez-Navarro, C. and Doehne, E.: Salt weathering: influence of
evaporation rate, supersaturation and crystallization pattern, Earth Surf.
Process. Landf., 24, 191–209,
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1096-9837(199903)24:3<191::AID-ESP942>3.0.CO;2-G, 1999.
Rodriguez-Navarro, C., Doehne, E., and Sebastian, E.: Origins of honeycomb
weathering: The role of salts and wind, Geol. Soc. Am. Bull., 111,
1250–1255, https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1999)111<1250:OOHWTR>2.3.CO;2, 1999.
Rodriguez-Navarro, C., Rodriguez-Gallego, M., Chekroun, K. B., and
Gonzalez-Muñoz, M. T.: Conservation of Ornamental Stone by Myxococcus
xanthus-Induced Carbonate Biomineralization, Appl. Environ. Microbiol.,
69, 2182–2193, https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.69.4.2182-2193.2003, 2003.
Sandler, A., Meunier, A., and Velde, B.: Mineralogical and chemical
variability of mountain red/brown Mediterranean soils, Geoderma, 239–240,
156–167, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2014.10.008, 2015.
Scherer, G. W.: Crystallization in pores, Cement and Concrete Research, 29,
1347–1358, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0008-8846(99)00002-2, 1999.
Scherer, G. W.: Stress from crystallization of salt, Cem. Concr. Res.,
34, 1613–1624, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconres.2003.12.034, 2004.
Schloss, P. D., Westcott, S. L., Ryabin, T., Hall, J. R., Hartmann, M.,
Hollister, E. B., Lesniewski, R. A., Oakley, B. B., Parks, D. H., Robinson,
C. J., Sahl, J. W., Stres, B., Thallinger, G. G., Van Horn, D. J., and Weber,
C. F.: Introducing mothur: Open-Source, Platform-Independent,
Community-Supported Software for Describing and Comparing Microbial
Communities, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 75, 7537–7541,
https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01541-09, 2009.
Sheng, G.-P., Yu, H.-Q., and Li, X.-Y.: Extracellular polymeric substances
(EPS) of microbial aggregates in biological wastewater treatment systems: A
review, Biotechnol. Adv., 28, 882–894,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2010.08.001, 2010.
Shirshova, L. T., Ghabbour, E. A., and Davies, G.: Spectroscopic
characterization of humic acid fractions isolated from soil using different
extraction procedures, Geoderma, 133, 204–216,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2005.07.007, 2006.
Shtober-Zisu, N., Amasha, H., and Frumkin, A.: Inland notches: lithological
characteristics and climatic implications of subaerial cavernous landforms
in Israel: Inland Notches: Lithological characteristics and climatic
implications, Earth Surf. Process. Landf., 42, 1820–1832,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4135, 2017.
Slavík, M., Bruthans, J., Filippi, M., Schweigstillová, J.,
Falteisek, L., and Řihošek, J.: Biologically-initiated rock crust on
sandstone: Mechanical and hydraulic properties and resistance to erosion,
Geomorphology, 278, 298–313, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.09.040, 2017.
Smith, B. J.: Weathering of superficial limestone debris in a hot desert
environment, Geomorphology, 1, 355–367,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-555X(88)90007-4, 1988.
Smith, B. J.: Weathering Processes and Forms, in: Geomorphology of Desert
Environments, edited by: Parsons, A. J. and Abrahams, A. D., 69–100,
Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht, 2009.
Smith, B. J., Warke, P. A., McGreevy, J. P., and Kane, H. L.: Salt-weathering
simulations under hot desert conditions: agents of enlightenment or
perpetuators of preconceptions?, Geomorphology, 67, 211–227,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2004.03.015, 2005.
Sperling, C. H. B. and Cooke, R. U.: Laboratory simulation of rock
weathering by salt crystallization and hydration processes in hot, arid
environments, Earth Surf. Process. Landf., 10, 541–555,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290100603, 1985.
Šťovíček, A., Kim, M., Or, D., and Gillor, O.: Microbial
community response to hydration-desiccation cycles in desert soil, Sci.
Rep., 7, 45735, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep45735, 2017.
Sweeting, M. M. and Lancaster, N.: Solutional and wind erosion forms on limestone in the central Namib Desert, Z. Geomorphol., 26, 197–207, 1982.
Uemura, R., Nakamoto, M., Asami, R., Mishima, S., Gibo, M., Masaka, K.,
Jin-Ping, C., Wu, C.-C., Chang, Y.-W., and Shen, C.-C.: Precise oxygen and
hydrogen isotope determination in nanoliter quantities of speleothem
inclusion water by cavity ring-down spectroscopic techniques, Geochim.
Cosmochim. Acta, 172, 159–176, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2015.09.017, 2016.
Vaks, A., Bar-Matthews, M., Matthews, A., Ayalon, A., and Frumkin, A.:
Middle-Late Quaternary paleoclimate of northern margins of the
Saharan-Arabian Desert: reconstruction from speleothems of Negev Desert,
Israel, Quat. Sci. Rev., 29, 2647–2662,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.06.014, 2010.
Viles, H.: Ecological perspectives on rock surface weathering: Towards a
conceptual model, Geomorphology, 13, 21–35,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-555X(95)00024-Y, 1995.
Viles, H.: Self-organized or disorganized? Towards a general explanation of
cavernous weathering, Earth Surf. Process. Landf., 30, 1471–1473,
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1287, 2005.
Viles, H., Goudie, A., Grab, S., and Lalley, J.: The use of the Schmidt
Hammer and Equotip for rock hardness assessment in geomorphology and
heritage science: a comparative analysis, Earth Surf. Process. Landf.,
36, 320–333, https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2040, 2011.
Viles, H. A.: Scale issues in weathering studies, Geomorphology, 41,
63–72, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-555X(01)00104-0, 2001.
Viles, H. A.: Understanding Dryland Landscape Dynamics: Do Biological Crusts
Hold the Key?, Geogr. Compass, 2, 899–919,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-8198.2008.00099.x, 2008.
Viles, H. A.: Microbial geomorphology: A neglected link between life and
landscape, Geomorphology, 157–158, 6–16,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.03.021, 2012.
Viles, H. A. and Goudie, A. S.: Rapid salt weathering in the coastal Namib
desert: Implications for landscape development, Geomorphology, 85,
49–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.03.025, 2007.
Wang, Q., Garrity, G. M., Tiedje, J. M., and Cole, J. R.: Naive Bayesian
classifier for rapid assignment of rRNA sequences into the new bacterial
taxonomy, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 73, 5261–5267,
https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.00062-07, 2007.
Warscheid, T. and Braams, J.: Biodeterioration of stone: a review, Int.
Biodeterior. Biodegrad., 46, 343–368, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0964-8305(00)00109-8,
2000.
Weber, B., Büdel, B., and Belnap, J., Eds.: Biological Soil Crusts: An
Organizing Principle in Drylands, 1st ed. 2016 edition, Springer, New York,
NY, 2016.
Wickham, H.: ggplot2: Elegant Graphics for Data Analysis, Springer-Verlag,
New York, USA, available at: http://ggplot2.org (last access: March 2019), 2016.
Wong, F. K. Y., Lau, M. C. Y., Lacap, D. C., Aitchison, J. C., Cowan, D. A.,
and Pointing, S. B.: Endolithic Microbial Colonization of Limestone in a
High-altitude Arid Environment, Microb. Ecol., 59, 689–699,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-009-9607-8, 2010a.
Wong, F. K. Y., Lacap, D. C., Lau, M. C. Y., Aitchison, J. C., Cowan, D. A.,
and Pointing, S. B.: Hypolithic Microbial Community of Quartz Pavement in
the High-Altitude Tundra of Central Tibet, Microb. Ecol., 60, 730–739,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-010-9653-2, 2010b.
Wright, D. T. and Wacey, D.: Sedimentary dolomite: a reality check, Geol.
Soc. Lond. Spec. Publ., 235, 65–74, https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2004.235.01.03,
2004.
Short summary
In stony deserts, when rocks are exposed to atmospheric conditions, they undergo weathering. The cavernous (honeycomb) weathering pattern is one of the most common, but it is still unclear exactly how it is formed. We show that microorganisms, which differ from the surrounding soil and dust, form biological crusts on exposed rock surfaces. These microbes secrete polymeric substances that mitigate weathering by reducing evaporation rates and, consequently, salt transport rates through the rock.
In stony deserts, when rocks are exposed to atmospheric conditions, they undergo weathering. The...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint