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Microbial consumption of zero‐valence sulfur in marine benthic habitats
Author(s) -
Pjevac Petra,
Kamyshny Alexey,
Dyksma Stefan,
Mußmann Marc
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.12410
Subject(s) - benthic zone , sulfur , sulfur cycle , biology , anoxic waters , microbial population biology , hydrothermal vent , environmental chemistry , ecology , benthos , sediment , ecosystem , habitat , microbial mat , chemosynthesis , bacteria , hydrothermal circulation , paleontology , chemistry , organic chemistry , cyanobacteria
Summary Zero‐valence sulfur ( S 0 ) is a central intermediate in the marine sulfur cycle and forms conspicuous accumulations at sediment surfaces, hydrothermal vents and in oxygen minimum zones. Diverse microorganisms can utilize S 0 , but those consuming S 0 in the environment are largely unknown. We identified possible key players in S 0 turnover on native or introduced S 0 in benthic coastal and deep‐sea habitats using the 16 S ribosomal RNA approach, ( in situ ) growth experiments and activity measurements. In all habitats, the epsilonproteobacterial S ulfurimonas/ S ulfurovum group accounted for a substantial fraction of the microbial community. Deltaproteobacterial D esulfobulbaceae and D esulfuromonadales were also frequently detected, indicating S 0 disproportionation and S 0 respiration under anoxic conditions. Sulfate production from S 0 particles colonized in situ with S ulfurimonas/ S ulfurovum suggested that this group oxidized S 0 . We also show that the type strain S ulfurimonas denitrificans is able to access cyclooctasulfur ( S 8 ), a metabolic feature not yet demonstrated for sulfur oxidizers. The ability to oxidize S 0 , in particular S 8 , likely facilitates niche partitioning among sulfur oxidizers in habitats with intense microbial sulfur cycling such as sulfidic sediment surfaces. Our results underscore the previously overlooked but central role of S ulfurimonas / S ulfurovum group for conversion of free S 0 at the seafloor surface.