Microbiomes in Soils Exposed to Naturally High Concentrations of CO2 (Bossoleto Mofette Tuscany, Italy).

Stefano Fazi,Francesca Ugolini,Costanza Calzolari,Antonio Raschi,Lara Vimercati,Silvia Baronti,Fabrizio Ungaro,Franco Tassi,Federico Aulenta,Stefania Venturi,Carolina Cruz Viggi,Orlando Vaselli

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2019.02238

Abstract

Direct and indirect effects of extremely high geogenic CO2 levels, commonly occurring in volcanic and hydrothermal environments, on biogeochemical processes in soil are poorly understood. This study investigated a sinkhole in Italy where long-term emissions of thermometamorphic-derived CO2 are associated with accumulation of carbon in the topsoil and removal of inorganic carbon in low pH environments at the bottom of the sinkhole. The comparison between interstitial soil gasses and those collected in an adjacent bubbling pool and the analysis of the carbon isotopic composition of CO2 and CH4 clearly indicated the occurrence of CH4 oxidation and negligible methanogenesis in soils at the bottom of the sinkhole. Extremely high CO2 concentrations resulted in higher microbial abundance (up to 4 × 109 cell g–1 DW) and a lower microbial diversity by favoring bacteria already reported to be involved in acetogenesis in mofette soils (i.e., Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria). Laboratory incubations to test the acetogenic and methanogenic potential clearly showed that all the mofette soil supplied with hydrogen gas displayed a remarkable CO2 fixation potential, primarily due to the activity of acetogenic microorganisms. By contrast, negligible production of acetate occurred in control tests incubated with the same soils, under identical conditions, without the addition of hydrogen. In this study, we report how changes in diversity and functions of the soil microbial community – induced by high CO2 concentration – create peculiar biogeochemical profile. CO2 emission affects carbon cycling through: (i) inhibition of the decomposition of the organic carbon and (ii) promotion of CO2-fixation via the acetyl-CoA pathway. Sites naturally exposed to extremely high CO2 levels could potentially represent an untapped source of microorganisms with unique capabilities to catalytically convert CO2 into valuable organic chemicals and fuels.

Highlights

IntroductionNatural diffuse gas emitting areas, emanating almost pure volcanic or thermometamorphic CO2 to the atmosphere, commonly result in CO2 concentrations (>90% v/v) in the soil markedly higher than typical soil CO2 contents (ranging from near atmospheric levels to 100-fold higher values and generally
Natural diffuse gas emitting areas, emanating almost pure volcanic or thermometamorphic CO2 to the atmosphere, commonly result in CO2 concentrations (>90% v/v) in the soil markedly higher than typical soil CO2 contents, which are likely on par with CO2 concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere when photosynthesis evolved (Beulig et al, 2016).Soil biogeochemical processes in areas affected by direct and indirect influence of extremely high CO2 levels are poorly studied they could potentially have significant ecological, environmental and biotechnological implications
The interstitial soil gasses collected at 10 and 20 cm depth at site 8 showed chemical composition similar to that recorded for the gas sample collected from the bubbling pool (BP)

Summary

Introduction

Natural diffuse gas emitting areas, emanating almost pure volcanic or thermometamorphic CO2 to the atmosphere, commonly result in CO2 concentrations (>90% v/v) in the soil markedly higher than typical soil CO2 contents (ranging from near atmospheric levels to 100-fold higher values and generally

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Conclusion