Connectivity to the surface determines diversity patterns in subsurface aquifers of the Fennoscandian shield.

ABSTRACT: Little research has been conducted on microbial diversity deep under the Earth's surface. In this study, the microbial communities of three deep terrestrial subsurface aquifers were investigated. Temporal community data over 6 years revealed that the phylogenetic structure and community dynamics were highly dependent on the degree of isolation from the earth surface biomes. The microbial community at the shallow site was the most dynamic and was dominated by the sulfur-oxidizing genera Sulfurovum or Sulfurimonas at all-time points. The microbial community in the meteoric water filled intermediate aquifer (water turnover approximately every 5 years) was less variable and was dominated by candidate phylum OD1. Metagenomic analysis of this water demonstrated the occurrence of key genes for ni

SUBMITTER: Hubalek V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5030689 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature