Distinct Microbial Assemblage Structure and Archaeal Diversity in Sediments of Arctic Thermokarst Lakes Differing in Methane Sources.

ABSTRACT: Developing a microbial ecological understanding of Arctic thermokarst lake sediments in a geochemical context is an essential first step toward comprehending the contributions of these systems to greenhouse gas emissions, and understanding how they may shift as a result of long term changes in climate. In light of this, we set out to study microbial diversity and structure in sediments from four shallow thermokarst lakes in the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska. Sediments from one of these lakes (Sukok) emit methane (CH₄) of thermogenic origin, as expected for an area with natural gas reserves. However, sediments from a lake 10 km to the North West (Siqlukaq) produce CH₄ of biogenic origin. Sukok and Siqlukaq were chosen among the four lakes surveyed to test the hypothes

SUBMITTER: Matheus Carnevali PB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6000721 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature