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  Microbial and Chemical Characterization of Underwater Fresh Water Springs in the Dead Sea

Ionescu, D., Siebert, C., Polerecky, L., Munwes, Y. Y., Lott, C., Haeusler, S., et al. (2012). Microbial and Chemical Characterization of Underwater Fresh Water Springs in the Dead Sea. PLoS One, 7(6): e38319.

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Ionescu, D.1, Author           
Siebert, C., Author
Polerecky, L.1, Author           
Munwes, Y. Y., Author
Lott, C.2, Author           
Haeusler, S.1, Author           
Bizic-Ionescu, M.3, Author           
Quast, C.4, Author           
Peplies, J.4, Author           
Gloeckner, F. O.4, Author           
Ramette, A.5, Author           
Rodiger, T., Author
Dittmar, T.6, Author           
Oren, A., Author
Geyer, S., Author
Staerk, H. J.1, Author           
Sauter, M., Author
Licha, T., Author
Laronne, J. B., Author
de Beer, D.1, Author           
Affiliations:
1Permanent Research Group Microsensor, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Max Planck Society, ou_2481711              
2Department of Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Max Planck Society, ou_2481699              
3Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Max Planck Society, ou_2481696              
4Microbial Genomics Group, Department of Molecular Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Max Planck Society, ou_2481697              
5HGF MPG Joint Research Group for Deep Sea Ecology & Technology, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Max Planck Society, ou_2481702              
6Marine Geochemistry Group, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Max Planck Society, ou_2481705              

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 Abstract: Due to its extreme salinity and high Mg concentration the Dead Sea is characterized by a very low density of cells most of which are Archaea. We discovered several underwater fresh to brackish water springs in the Dead Sea harboring dense microbial communities. We provide the first characterization of these communities, discuss their possible origin, hydrochemical environment, energetic resources and the putative biogeochemical pathways they are mediating. Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and community fingerprinting methods showed that the spring community originates from the Dead Sea sediments and not from the aquifer. Furthermore, it suggested that there is a dense Archaeal community in the shoreline pore water of the lake. Sequences of bacterial sulfate reducers, nitrifiers iron oxidizers and iron reducers were identified as well. Analysis of white and green biofilms suggested that sulfide oxidation through chemolitotrophy and phototrophy is highly significant. Hyperspectral analysis showed a tight association between abundant green sulfur bacteria and cyanobacteria in the green biofilms. Together, our findings show that the Dead Sea floor harbors diverse microbial communities, part of which is not known from other hypersaline environments. Analysis of the water’s chemistry shows evidence of microbial activity along the path and suggests that the springs supply nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter to the microbial communities in the Dead Sea. The underwater springs are a newly recognized water source for the Dead Sea. Their input of microorganisms and nutrients needs to be considered in the assessment of possible impact of dilution events of the lake surface waters, such as those that will occur in the future due to the intended establishment of the Red Sea−Dead Sea water conduit.

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Language(s): eng - English
 Dates: 2012-06-05
 Publication Status: Issued
 Pages: 21
 Publishing info: -
 Table of Contents: -
 Rev. Type: Peer
 Identifiers: eDoc: 634663
ISI: 000305343900029
 Degree: -

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Title: PLoS One
Source Genre: Journal
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Publ. Info: San Francisco, CA : Public Library of Science
Pages: - Volume / Issue: 7 (6) Sequence Number: e38319 Start / End Page: - Identifier: ISSN: 1932-6203
CoNE: https://pure.mpg.de/cone/journals/resource/1000000000277850