Metabolic interdependencies between phylogenetically novel fermenters and respiratory organisms in an unconfined aquifer.

ABSTRACT: Fermentation-based metabolism is an important ecosystem function often associated with environments rich in organic carbon, such as wetlands, sewage sludge and the mammalian gut. The diversity of microorganisms and pathways involved in carbon and hydrogen cycling in sediments and aquifers and the impacts of these processes on other biogeochemical cycles remain poorly understood. Here we used metagenomics and proteomics to characterize microbial communities sampled from an aquifer adjacent to the Colorado River at Rifle, CO, USA, and document interlinked microbial roles in geochemical cycling. The organic carbon content in the aquifer was elevated via acetate amendment of the groundwater occurring over 2 successive years. Samples were collected at three time points, with the objective of ex

SUBMITTER: Wrighton KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4069391 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature