The microbiota characterizing huge carbonatic moonmilk structures and its correlation with preserved organic matter.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Moonmilk represents complex secondary structures and model systems to investigate the interaction between microorganisms and carbonatic rocks. Grotta Nera is characterized by numerous moonmilk speleothems of exceptional size hanging from the ceiling, reaching over two meters in length. In this work we combined microbiological analyses with analytical pyrolysis and carbon stable isotope data to determine the molecular composition of these complex moonmilk structures as well as the composition of the associated microbiota.

Results

Three moonmilk structures were dissected into the apical, lateral, and core parts, which shared similar values of microbial abundance, richness, and carbon isotopes but different water content, microbiota composition, and organic matter. M

SUBMITTER: Ghezzi D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11040949 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature