Potential Activity of Subglacial Microbiota Transported to Anoxic River Delta Sediments.

ABSTRACT: The Watson River drains a portion of the SW Greenland ice sheet, transporting microbial communities from subglacial environments to a delta at the head of Søndre Strømfjord. This study investigates the potential activity and community shifts of glacial microbiota deposited and buried under layers of sediments within the river delta. A long-term (12-month) incubation experiment was established using Watson River delta sediment under anaerobic conditions, with and without CO₂/H₂ enrichment. Within CO₂/H₂-amended incubations, sulphate depletion and a shift in the microbial community to a 52% predominance of Desulfosporosinus meridiei by day 371 provides evidence for sulphate reduction. We found evidence of methanogenesis in CO₂/H₂

SUBMITTER: Cameron KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5486838 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature