Geochemistry and Microbiology in an Acidic, High Altitude (4,000 m) Salt Flat — High Andes, Northern Chile

Abstract

Acidic saline lake systems are an uncommon type of natural extreme environment described in Northern Chile and in Australia. These environments are considered a terrestrial analogue to certain ancient Martian terrains and a source of new material for biotechnological applications as bioleaching at high ionic strength conditions and biological systems for precipitating metal sulfides. The aim of this study is to describe the occurrence of redox couples that support prokaryotic life in the system and to obtain representative cultures of predominant microorganisms/metabolisms. Mapping of the area of interest and geochemical analysis of sediments, bedrock and water samples were performed. The original microbial community and enriched cultures were studied by direct count and culturing dependent and independent techniques. In the distal part of the alluvial fans some ponds are found with acidic brines (up to pH 1) of the Cl-SO4-Na (-Mg) type that are surrounded by yellow efflorescences. Other ponds towards the basin center progressively increase in concentration due to capillary evaporation. Brines are rich in aluminium and boron with lower concentration of manganese, lithium, iron and arsenic. An advanced hydrothermal argillic alteration affecting the country rocks, native sulfur associated to active solfataras, alunite and jarosite occurrences in sediments and chloride and sulfate efflorescent salts were evidenced. The microbial community in brines and sediments (105 and 106 cells/mL, respectively) was dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and by Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria, respectively. Sulphur and iron oxidation activity were detected depending on the salinity of the samples. Culture enrichments that respire and reduce As (V) and sulfate have been only obtained from sites with the highest pH (4-5). Microbial assemblages in those heterotrophic cultures were closely related to the Gamma and Betaproteobacteria, meanwhile, Rhodanobacter and Shewanella were the only microorganisms detected in the autotrophic cultures supplemented by Na2S and by H2. Relevant information to describe the occurring surface biogeochemical processes in that acidic saline system has been obtained. In addition, the occurrence of new prokaryotic genera capable of arsenic redox transformation has been evidenced in acidic systems.