Formation of Multilayered Photosynthetic Biofilms in an AlkalineThermal Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Boomer SM, Noll KL, Geesey GG, Dutton BE. 2009. Formation of Multilayered Photosynthetic Biofilms in an AlkalineThermal Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 75(8):2464-2475
In this study, glass rods suspended at the air-water interface in the runoff channel of Fairy Geyser,Yellowstone National Park, WY, were used as a substratum to promote the development of biofilms thatresembled multilayered mat communities in the splash zone at the geyser’s source. This approach enabled theestablishment of the temporal relationship between the appearance of Cyanobacteria, which ultimately formedthe outer green layer, and the development of a red underlayer containing Roseiflexus-like Chloroflexi. This isthe first study to define time-dependent successional events involved in the development of differently coloredlayers within microbial mats associated with many thermal features in Yellowstone National Park. Initial(1-month) biofilms were localized below the air-water interface (60 to 70°C), and the majority of retrievedbacterial sequence types were similar to Synechococcus and Thermus isolates. Biofilms then shifted, becomingestablished at and above the air-water interface after 3 months. During winter sampling (6 to 8 months),distinct reddish orange microcolonies were observed, consistent with the appearance of Roseiflexus-like sequencesand bacteriochlorophyll a pigment signatures. Additionally, populations of Cyanobacteria diversified toinclude both unicellular and filamentous cell and sequence types. Distinct green and red layers were observedat 13 months. Planctomycetes-like sequences were also retrieved in high abundance from final biofilm layers andwinter samples. Finally, biomass associated with geyser vent water contained Roseiflexus-like sequence types,in addition to other high-abundance sequence types retrieved from biofilm samples, supporting the idea thatgeothermal water serves as an inoculum for these habitats.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Boomer, Sarah; Noll, Katherine; Geesey, Gill; Dutton, Bryan
- Units
- GRYN
- Keywords
- Cyanobacteria, Fairy Geyser, geothermal water, Planctomycetes, Roseiflexus-like Chloroflexi