Great Salt Lake Biology

Null, Sarah E.; Wurtsbaugh, Wayne A.

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-40352-2

Cited by 27 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 42 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Global warming is having a profound effect on the behaviour and distribution ranges of microfungi, macrofungi, and invertebrates and other organisms (e.g., [88][89][90]). This trend is also seen for halotolerant and halophilic microbes in marine and other saline ecosystems that are currently undergoing traumatic change [91,92]. Indeed, if left unchecked, global warming may ultimately impair the habitability of Earth's surface [93].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Biophysical Manipulation of the Extracellular Environment by Eurotium halophilicum

Micheluz

Pinzari²,

Rivera-Valentín³

et al. 2022

Pathogens

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Eurotium halophilicum is psychrotolerant, halophilic, and one of the most-extreme xerophiles in Earth’s biosphere. We already know that this ascomycete grows close to 0 °C, at high NaCl, and—under some conditions—down to 0.651 water-activity. However, there is a paucity of information about how it achieves this extreme stress tolerance given the dynamic water regimes of the surface habitats on which it commonly occurs. Here, against the backdrop of global climate change, we investigated the biophysical interactions of E. halophilicum with its extracellular environment using samples taken from the surfaces of library books. The specific aims were to examine its morphology and extracellular environment (using scanning electron microscopy for visualisation and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to identify chemical elements) and investigate interactions with water, ions, and minerals (including analyses of temperature and relative humidity conditions and determinations of salt deliquescence and water activity of extracellular brine). We observed crystals identified as eugsterite (Na4Ca(SO4)3·2H2O) and mirabilite (Na2SO4·10H2O) embedded within extracellular polymeric substances and provide evidence that E. halophilicum uses salt deliquescence to maintain conditions consistent with its water-activity window for growth. In addition, it utilizes a covering of hair-like microfilaments that likely absorb water and maintain a layer of humid air adjacent to the hyphae. We believe that, along with compatible solutes used for osmotic adjustment, these adaptations allow the fungus to maintain hydration in both space and time. We discuss these findings in relation to the conservation of books and other artifacts within the built environment, spoilage of foods and feeds, the ecology of E. halophilicum in natural habitats, and the current episode of climate change.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Biophysical Manipulation of the Extracellular Environment by Eurotium halophilicum

Micheluz

Pinzari²,

Rivera-Valentín³

et al. 2022

Pathogens

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The Haloarchaea of Great Salt Lake as Models for Potential Extant Life on Mars

Bayles

Belasco

Breda

et al. 2020

Extremophiles as Astrobiological Models

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Characteristics and controls on the distribution of sublittoral microbial bioherms in Great Salt Lake, Utah: Implications for understanding microbialite development

Baskin¹,

Porta

Wright

2021

The Depositional Record

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Side‐scan sonar and Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse mapping of Great Salt Lake, Utah, linked to reprocessing of acoustic data from bathymetric surveys, has enabled the distribution of microbial bioherms to be assessed. Bioherms occupy an estimated area >700 km2 in the south arm and >300 km2 in the north arm. Distributions vary from statistically dispersed to clustered, and in this latter case, are predominantly located on metre‐scale, fault‐controlled topographic highs, with sediment infilling intervening lows between adjacent offsets. Individual bioherms are circular to oblate and range from centimetres to over 2 m in diameter. In some areas, bioherm heights were measured at more than 1.5 m above adjacent substrate. Sublittoral bioherms are made of aragonite, calcite and minor dolomite precipitated due to physico‐chemical, biologically induced and influenced carbonate mineralization processes in association with microbial mats. Bioherm fabrics vary at the millimetre to centimetre‐scale and consist of leiolitic and clotted peloidal micrite‐grade carbonate, sinuous threads of spherulitic fibrous aragonite crystals, laminated micrite boundstone and internal carbonate mud sediment with peloids and ooids. The identification of factors that influence microbial bioherm occurrence and spatial distribution in Great Salt Lake is limited to a set of collinear physical, chemical and biological variables that are confined to a localised closed system, such as salinity, water depth, wave energy, stable substrate and sediment accumulation. Anthropogenic modifications to Great Salt Lake resulting in increased salinity have exceeded the salinity range in which bioherm‐mediating microbial communities can survive, effectively defining an upper limit of salinity for bioherm microbial community viability. The better understanding of the distribution of microbial bioherms has significant implications for managing and protecting the lake ecosystem and may provide insights into the physical and chemical controls that existed during the formation of fossil microbialites in deep time.

show abstract

Great Salt Lake Biology

Cited by 27 publications

References 42 publications

Biophysical Manipulation of the Extracellular Environment by Eurotium halophilicum

Biophysical Manipulation of the Extracellular Environment by Eurotium halophilicum

The Haloarchaea of Great Salt Lake as Models for Potential Extant Life on Mars

Characteristics and controls on the distribution of sublittoral microbial bioherms in Great Salt Lake, Utah: Implications for understanding microbialite development

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About