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Spatially tracking 13 C ‐labelled substrate (bicarbonate) accumulation in microbial communities using laser ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Moran James J.,
Doll Charles G.,
Bernstein Hans C.,
Renslow Ryan S.,
Cory Alexandra B.,
Hutchison Janine R.,
Lindemann Stephen R.,
Fredrickson James K.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12211
Subject(s) - isotope ratio mass spectrometry , mass spectrometry , chemistry , laser ablation , substrate (aquarium) , microbial mat , tracking (education) , cyanobacteria , stable isotope ratio , bicarbonate , isotopes of carbon , isotope , isotopic labeling , analytical chemistry (journal) , environmental chemistry , chromatography , laser , bacteria , biology , ecology , total organic carbon , paleontology , optics , physics , pedagogy , psychology , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Summary Microbial mats are characterized by extensive metabolic interactions, rapidly changing internal geochemical gradients, and prevalent microenvironments within tightly constrained physical structures. We present laser ablation isotope ratio mass spectrometry ( LA ‐ IRMS ) as a culture‐independent, spatially specific technology for tracking the accumulation of 13 C ‐labelled substrate into heterogeneous microbial mat communities. This study demonstrates the novel LA‐IRMS approach by tracking labeled bicarbonate incorporation into a cyanobacteria‐dominated microbial mat system. The spatial resolution of 50 μm was sufficient for distinguishing different mat strata and the approach effectively identified regions of greatest label incorporation. Sample preparation for LA ‐ IRMS is straightforward and the spatial selectivity of LA ‐ IRMS minimizes the volume of mat consumed, leaving material for complimentary analyses. We present analysis of DNA extracted from a sample post‐ablation and suggest pigments, lipids or other biomarkers could similarly be extracted following ablation. LA ‐ IRMS is well positioned to spatially resolve the accumulation of any 13 C ‐labelled substrate provided to a mat, making this a versatile tool for studying carbon transfer and interspecies exchanges within the limited spatial confines of such systems.