Community Structure, Geochemical Characteristics and Mineralogy of a Hypersaline Microbial Mat, Cabo Rojo, PR

Abstract

Seasonal variations in precipitation changed the community composition and microbial activity in a hypersaline, tropical microbial mat, in Cabo Rojo, PR. Using a combination of dissection, light, and transmission electron microscopy, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), in situ microelectrode studies, and 35 S isotope incubations, we documented the major differences between wet and dry seasons. During the wet season (precipitation 177 mm), cyanobacterial (green layer) and anoxyphototrophic (pink layer) communities, as well as the black FeS layer were well-developed, and T-RFLP patterns indicated a diverse community. The rate of oxygenic photosynthesis was 49 μ M min − 1 . Aerobic respiration was 29 μ M min − 1 , and sulfate reduction was 264 nmol cm − 3 h − 1 . During the dry season (precipitation 51 mm), cyanobacteria and anoxyphototrophs were less diverse and abundant, and T-RFLP patterns were less complex. The O 2 production rate was reduced to 9 μ M min − 1 , as was O 2 consumption (7 μ M min − 1 ) and sulfate reduction (26 nmol cm − 3 h − 1 ). Aragonite, calcite, halite, and quartz were the predominant minerals. Seasonal differences were found in the green and pink layers for both halite and quartz. Gypsum was not observed, likely due to a sample handling artifact. The fluctuations in community composition and metabolic activity, principally reflected in fluctuations in binding and trapping potential of the uppermost mat community, might be responsible for the observed differences in mineralogy.