The 16S rRNA amplicons from biofilms inhabiting rocks near various water bodies of Marsberg Copper Mine (Rhenish Massif, Germany) reveal the diversity of their microbial communities. The abundance of Chloroflexi and Cyanobacteria taxa in the biofilms near leachate streams indicated the selective enrichment of Ktedonobacteria and Oxyphotobacteria members.
Abstract. The Kilianstollen Marsberg (Rhenish Massif, Germany) has
been extensively mined for copper ores, dating from early medieval period
until 1945. The exposed organic-rich alum shale rocks influenced by the
diverse mine drainages at an ambient temperature of 10 ∘C could
naturally enrich biogeochemically distinct heavy metal resistant microbiota.
This amplicon-sequence-based study evaluates the microbially colonized
subterranean rocks of the abandoned copper mine Kilianstollen to
characterize the colonization patterns and biogeochemical pathways of
individual microbial groups. Under the selective pressure of the heavy metal
contaminated environment at illuminated sites, Chloroflexi (Ktedonobacteria) and Cyanobacteria (Oxyphotobacteria) build up
whitish–greenish biofilms. In contrast, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria dominate rocks around the
uncontaminated spring water streams. The additional metagenomic analysis
revealed that the heavy metal resistant microbiome was evidently involved in
redox cycling of transition metals (Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd, Hg). No
deposition of metals or minerals, though, was observed by transmission
electron microscopy in Ktedonobacteria biofilms which may be indicative for the presence of
different detoxification pathways. The underlying heavy metal resistance
mechanisms, as revealed by analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes, were
mainly attributed to transition metal efflux pumps, redox enzymes,
volatilization of Hg, methylated intermediates of As3+, and reactive
oxygen species detoxification pathways.
Abstract. The Kilianstollen Marsberg (Rhenish Massif, Germany) has been extensively mined for copper ores, dating from Early Medieval Period till 1945. The exposed organic-rich alum shale rocks influenced by the diverse mine drainages at an ambient temperature of 10 °C could naturally enrich biogeochemically distinct heavy metal resistant microbiota. This metagenomic study evaluates the microbially colonized subterranean rocks of the abandoned copper mine Kilianstollen to characterize the colonization patterns and biogeochemical pathways of individual microbial groups. Under the selective pressure of the heavy metal contaminated environment at illuminated sites, Chloroflexi (Ktedonobacteria) and Cyanobacteria (Oxyphotobacteria) build up whitish-greenish biofilms. In contrast, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria dominate rocks around the uncontaminated spring water streams. The metagenomic analysis revealed that the heavy metal resistant microbiome was evidently involved in redox cycling of transition metals (Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd, Hg). No deposition of metals or minerals, though, was observed by transmission electron microscopy in Ktedonobacteria biofilms which may be indicative for the presence of different detoxification pathways. The underlying heavy metal resistance mechanisms, as revealed by analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes, were mainly attributed to transition metal efflux pumps, redox enzymes, volatilization of Hg0, methylated intermediates of As(III) and reactive oxygen species detoxification pathways.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.