Influence of bedrock mineral composition on microbial diversity in a subglacial environment

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2013 Influence of bedrock mineral composition on microbial diversity in a subglacial environment Andrew C. Mitchell; Andrew C. Mitchell 1Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB, UK2Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Melissa J. Lafrenière; Melissa J. Lafrenière 3Department of Geography, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Mark L. Skidmore; Mark L. Skidmore 4Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Eric S. Boyd Eric S. Boyd 5Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Andrew C. Mitchell 1Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, SY23 3DB, UK2Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA Melissa J. Lafrenière 3Department of Geography, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada Mark L. Skidmore 4Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA Eric S. Boyd 5Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 02 Nov 2012 Revision Received: 14 Mar 2013 Accepted: 19 Mar 2013 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2013 Geological Society of America Geology (2013) 41 (8): 855–858. https://doi.org/10.1130/G34194.1 Article history Received: 02 Nov 2012 Revision Received: 14 Mar 2013 Accepted: 19 Mar 2013 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Andrew C. Mitchell, Melissa J. Lafrenière, Mark L. Skidmore, Eric S. Boyd; Influence of bedrock mineral composition on microbial diversity in a subglacial environment. Geology 2013;; 41 (8): 855–858. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G34194.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Microorganisms in subglacial environments drive the chemical weathering of bedrock; however, the influence of bedrock mineralogy on the composition and activity of microbial assemblages in such environments is poorly understood. Here, using a combination of in situ mineral incubation and DNA fingerprinting techniques, we demonstrate that pyrite is the dominant mineralogical control on subglacial bacterial community structure and composition. In addition, we show that the abundance of Fe in the incubated minerals influences the development of mineral-associated biomass. The ubiquitous nature of pyrite in many common bedrock types and high SO42– concentrations in most glacial meltwaters suggest that pyrite may be a dominant lithogenic control on microbial communities in many subglacial systems. Mineral-based energy may therefore serve a fundamental role in sustaining subglacial microbial populations and enabling their persistence over glacial-interglacial time scales. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.