Genome-Resolved Metagenomics and Detailed Geochemical Speciation Analyses Yield New Insights into Microbial Mercury Cycling in Geothermal Springs.

ABSTRACT: Geothermal systems emit substantial amounts of aqueous, gaseous, and methylated mercury, but little is known about microbial influences on mercury speciation. Here, we report results from genome-resolved metagenomics and mercury speciation analysis of acidic warm springs in the Ngawha Geothermal Field (<55°C, pH <4.5), Northland Region, Aotearoa New Zealand. Our aim was to identify the microorganisms genetically equipped for mercury methylation, demethylation, or Hg(II) reduction to volatile Hg(0) in these springs. Dissolved total and methylated mercury concentrations in two adjacent springs with different mercury speciation ranked among the highest reported from natural sources (250 to 16,000 ng liter^-1 and 0.5 to 13.9 ng liter^-1, respectively). Total solid mercury c

SUBMITTER: Gionfriddo CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7376564 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature