Diversity and distribution of sulfate-reducing bacteria and its ecological effect in Shimen Realgar Mine

Abstract

Microbial sulfate reduction, a vital mechanism for microorganisms living in anaerobic, sulfate-rich environments, is an essential aspect of the sulfur biogeochemical cycle. However, there has been no detailed investigation of the diversity and distribution of SRBs and its effect in Shimen Realgar Mine, which is characterized as a hot research area rich in sulfate. To elucidate this issue, soils sample from Shimen Realgar Mine were collected. Further, a total of 55 new or new-type dissimilatory sulfite reductase genes and 5 new families of DrsAB proteins were successfully identified, which demonstrate the rich and unique diversity of the sulfate reducing microbes in this environment. We also isolate a novel DSRP strain, Desulfotomaculum sp. JL90 from the soils, which can efficiently respiratory reduces sulfate and arsenate. JL90 also can promote the generation of yellow precipitations in the presence of multiple electron acceptors (both contain sulfate and As(V) in the cultures). Moreover, microbial community compositions also indicated the biogenesis contribution of SRBs to the Shimen realgar mine. The results of this study provided a new insight into the diversity and distribution of SRBs and its ecological effect in Shimen Realgar Mine.