Moisture activation and carbon use efficiency of soil microbial communities along an aridity gradient in the Atacama Desert

Jones, Davey L.; Olivera-Ardid, Sara; Klumpp, Erwin; Knief, Claudia; Hill, Paul W.; Lehndorff, Eva; Bol, Roland

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2017.10.026

Cited by 57 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(30 reference statements)

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“…Thus, this association between annual precipitation and the relative microbial growth rates is presumably a result of nitrate bioavailability enhanced by solubilization during precipitation. This is also supported directly by biologically altered stable oxygen isotopes of nitrate [35], and indirectly by the higher microbial carbon mineralization activity in less arid regions [82].…”

Section: Growth Of Cell Cultures With Nitrate Amendmentsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Phylogenetically ancient eukaryotes related to red algae [76,77], microbial biofilms [78], and specifically UV-resistant microorganisms [79,80] are also found to be present in the Atacama Desert, and could provide a persistent source of organic carbon for heterotrophy [81]. However, microbial C mineralization remains at low levels even with episodically enhanced moisture input associated with rainfall events [55,82]. Compared to less arid regions, the microbial communities from the hyperarid core usually have higher exogenous organic C uptake activities [82].…”

Section: Nitrate Distribution and Effects On Microbial N Assimilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, microbial C mineralization remains at low levels even with episodically enhanced moisture input associated with rainfall events [55,82]. Compared to less arid regions, the microbial communities from the hyperarid core usually have higher exogenous organic C uptake activities [82]. With little external input, leaching and subsurface decomposition [75], organic C in Atacama soils should mostly be derived from in situ carbon fixation.…”

Section: Nitrate Distribution and Effects On Microbial N Assimilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nitrates as a Potential N Supply for Microbial Ecosystems in a Hyperarid Mars Analog System

Shen

Zerkle

Stüeken

et al. 2019

Life

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Nitrate is common in Mars sediments owing to long-term atmospheric photolysis, oxidation, and potentially, impact shock heating. The Atacama Desert in Chile, which is the driest region on Earth and rich in nitrate deposits, is used as a Mars analog in this study to explore the potential effects of high nitrate levels on growth of extremophilic ecosystems. Seven study sites sampled across an aridity gradient in the Atacama Desert were categorized into 3 clusters—hyperarid, middle, and arid sites—as defined by essential soil physical and chemical properties. Intriguingly, the distribution of nitrate concentrations in the shallow subsurface suggests that the buildup of nitrate is not solely controlled by precipitation. Correlations of nitrate with SiO2/Al2O3 and grain sizes suggest that sedimentation rates may also be important in controlling nitrate distribution. At arid sites receiving more than 10 mm/yr precipitation, rainfall shows a stronger impact on biomass than nitrate does. However, high nitrate to organic carbon ratios are generally beneficial to N assimilation, as evidenced both by soil geochemistry and enriched culturing experiments. This study suggests that even in the absence of precipitation, nitrate levels on a more recent, hyperarid Mars could be sufficiently high to benefit potentially extant Martian microorganisms.

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Section: Growth Of Cell Cultures With Nitrate Amendmentsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Nitrate Distribution and Effects On Microbial N Assimilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Nitrate Distribution and Effects On Microbial N Assimilationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nitrates as a Potential N Supply for Microbial Ecosystems in a Hyperarid Mars Analog System

Shen

Zerkle

Stüeken

et al. 2019

Life

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“…following the method of Jones et al (2018). Based on the amount of 14 CO produced after 4 h ( CO 2-4h ), the corresponding microbial substrate uptake rate ( 14 C uptake ) was estimated as follows:…”

Section: Community Level Physiological Profiling and Cuementioning

confidence: 99%

Role of substrate supply on microbial carbon use efficiency and its role in interpreting soil microbial community-level physiological profiles (CLPP)

Jones

Hill

Smith

et al. 2018

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

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• Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal ? Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. 06. Sep. 2020 Elsevier Editorial System(tm) for Soil Biology and Biochemistry Manuscript Draft Manuscript Number: SBB13301R1 Title: Role of substrate supply on microbial carbon use efficiency and its role in interpreting soil microbial community-level physiological profiles (CLPP)

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“…Microbial C mineralization remains at low levels even with enhanced moisture input. Compared to less arid regions, the microbial communities from the hyperarid core usually have higher exogenous organic C uptake activities [43]. Ancient aquatic species-related [44] microbial biofilms [45] and UV-resistant microorganisms [46,47] are discovered from the Atacama Desert.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric Nitrate as a Potential Nutrient for Life on Mars

Shen¹,

Zerkle²,

Claire³

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Nitrate is rich in Mars sediments owing to long-term atmospheric photolysis, oxidation, and deposition coupled with a lack of leaching via rainfall. The Atacama Desert in Chile, which is similarly dry and rich in nitrate deposits, is used as a Mars analog in this study to explore the potential effects of high nitrate levels on microbial growth. Seven study sites sampled across an aridity gradient in the Atacama Desert were categorized into 3 clusters – hyperarid, intermediate, and arid sites, as defined by major elements in the regolith, associated biomass, and precipitation. Intriguingly, the distribution of nitrate concentrations in the shallow subsurface suggests that the buildup of nitrate is not solely controlled by precipitation. Correlations of nitrate with SiO2/Al2O3 and grain sizes suggest that sedimentation rates are also important in controlling nitrate distribution. At arid sites receiving more than 10 mm/yr precipitation, rainfall shows a stronger impact on biomass than nitrate does. However, high nitrate to organic carbon ratios are generally beneficial to N assimilation as evidenced both by soil geochemistry and enriched culturing experiments. This study suggests that even in the absence of precipitation on contemporary Mars, the nitrate levels are sufficiently high to benefit potentially extant Martian microorganisms.

show abstract

Moisture activation and carbon use efficiency of soil microbial communities along an aridity gradient in the Atacama Desert

Cited by 57 publications

References 35 publications

Nitrates as a Potential N Supply for Microbial Ecosystems in a Hyperarid Mars Analog System

Nitrates as a Potential N Supply for Microbial Ecosystems in a Hyperarid Mars Analog System

Role of substrate supply on microbial carbon use efficiency and its role in interpreting soil microbial community-level physiological profiles (CLPP)

Atmospheric Nitrate as a Potential Nutrient for Life on Mars

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