Open AccessMicrobial characterization of basalt formation waters targeted for geological carbon sequestration
Author(s) -
Lavalleur Heather J.,
Colwell Frederick S.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6941.12098
Subject(s) - pyrosequencing , microbial population biology , geomicrobiology , biology , actinobacteria , firmicutes , proteobacteria , carbon sequestration , environmental chemistry , archaea , microorganism , basalt , microbial consortium , carbon dioxide , ecology , chemistry , bacteria , paleontology , biochemistry , environmental biotechnology , 16s ribosomal rna , gene
Geological carbon sequestration in basalts is a promising solution to mitigate carbon emissions into the E arth's atmosphere. The W allula pilot well in E astern W ashington S tate, USA provides an opportunity to investigate how native microbial communities in basalts are affected by the injection of supercritical carbon dioxide into deep, alkaline formation waters of the C olumbia R iver B asalt G roup. Our objective was to characterize the microbial communities at five depth intervals in the W allula pilot well prior to CO 2 injection to establish a baseline community for comparison after the CO 2 is injected. Microbial communities were examined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction to enumerate bacterial cells and 454 pyrosequencing to compare and contrast the diversity of the native microbial communities. The deepest depth sampled contained the greatest amount of bacterial biomass, as well as the highest bacterial diversity. The shallowest depth sampled harbored the greatest archaeal diversity. Pyrosequencing revealed the well to be dominated by the P roteobacteria , F irmicutes , and A ctinobacteria , with microorganisms related to hydrogen oxidizers ( H ydrogenophaga ), methylotrophs ( M ethylotenera ), methanotrophs ( M ethylomonas ), iron reducers ( Geoalkalibacter ), sulfur oxidizers ( T hiovirga ), and methanogens ( M ethermicocccus ). Thus, the W allula pilot well is composed of a unique microbial community in which hydrogen and single‐carbon compounds may play a significant role in sustaining the deep biosphere.