Hydrogen-Oxidizing Bacteria Are Abundant in Desert Soils and Strongly Stimulated by Hydration.

ABSTRACT: How the diverse bacterial communities inhabiting desert soils maintain energy and carbon needs is much debated. Traditionally, most bacteria are thought to persist by using organic carbon synthesized by photoautotrophs following transient hydration events. Recent studies focused on Antarctic desert soils have revealed, however, that some bacteria use atmospheric trace gases, such as hydrogen (H₂), to conserve energy and fix carbon independently of photosynthesis. In this study, we investigated whether atmospheric H₂ oxidation occurs in four nonpolar desert soils and compared this process to photosynthesis. To do so, we first profiled the distribution, expression, and activities of hydrogenases and photosystems in surface soils collected from the South Australian deser

SUBMITTER: Jordaan K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7677003 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature