Hot-spring Systems Geobiology: abiotic and biotic influences on travertine formation at Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, USA

Sedimentology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
BRUCE W. FOUKE
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring

scholarly journals Nanoarchaeota, Their Sulfolobales Host, and Nanoarchaeota Virus Distribution across Yellowstone National Park Hot Springs

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (22) ◽  
pp. 7860-7868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob H. Munson-McGee ◽  
Erin K. Field ◽  
Mary Bateson ◽  
Colleen Rooney ◽  
Ramunas Stepanauskas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Cell ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Genome Comparison ◽  
Fish Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Genome ◽  
Single Cell Genome

ABSTRACTNanoarchaeotaare obligate symbionts with reduced genomes first described from marine thermal vent environments. Here, both community metagenomics and single-cell analysis revealed the presence ofNanoarchaeotain high-temperature (∼90°C), acidic (pH ≈ 2.5 to 3.0) hot springs in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) (United States). Single-cell genome analysis of two cells resulted in two nearly identical genomes, with an estimated full length of 650 kbp. Genome comparison showed that these two cells are more closely related to the recently proposedNanobsidianus stetterifrom a more neutral YNP hot spring than to the marineNanoarchaeum equitans. Single-cell and catalyzed reporter deposition-fluorescencein situhybridization (CARD-FISH) analysis of environmental hot spring samples identified the host of the YNPNanoarchaeotaas aSulfolobalesspecies known to inhabit the hot springs. Furthermore, we demonstrate thatNanoarchaeotaare widespread in acidic to near neutral hot springs in YNP. An integrated viral sequence was also found within oneNanoarchaeotasingle-cell genome and further analysis of the purified viral fraction from environmental samples indicates that this is likely a virus replicating within the YNPNanoarchaeota.

scholarly journals Characterizing and Evaluating the Diverse Microbial Communities and Their Mercury Resistance Potential from Hot Spring Sites Representing Gradients in Temperature and pH in Yellowstone National Park

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yelizaveta Rassadkina ◽  
Spencer Roth ◽  
Tamar Barkay
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Mercury Resistance ◽  
Sample Site ◽  
Microorganism Community

Yellowstone National Park is home to many different hot springs, lakes, geysers, pools, and basins that range in pH, chemical composition, and temperature. These different environmental variations provide a broad range of conditions that select and grow diverse communities of microorganisms. In this study, we collected samples from geochemically diverse lakes and springs to characterize the microbial communities present through 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis. This information was then used to observe how various microorganisms survive in high mercury environments. The results show the presence of microorganisms that have been studied in previous literature. The results also depict gradients of microorganisms including thermophilic bacteria and archaea that exist in these extreme environments. In addition, beta diversity analyses of the sequence data showed site clustering based primarily on temperature instead of pH or sample site, suggesting that while pH, temperature, and sample site were all shown to be significant, temperature is the strongest factor driving microorganism community development. While it is important to characterize the microorganism community present, it is also important to understand how this community functions as a result of its selection. Along with looking at community composition, genomic material was tested to see if it contained mercury methylating (hgcA) or mercury reducing (merA) genes. Out of 22 samples, three of them were observed to have merA genes, while no samples had hgcA genes. These results indicate that microorganisms in Mustard and Nymph Springs may use mercury reduction. Understanding how microorganisms survive in environments with high concentrations of toxic pollutants is crucial because it can be used as a model to better understand mechanisms of resistance and the biogeochemical cycle, as well as for bioremediation and other solutions to anthropogenic problems.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization of Novel Red Green Nonsulfur Bacteria from Five Distinct Hot Spring Communities in Yellowstone National Park

2002 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 346-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Boomer ◽  
Daniel P. Lodge ◽  
Bryan E. Dutton ◽  
Beverly Pierson
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Site Specificity ◽  
Absorption Bands ◽  
Specific Primers ◽  
In Vivo Absorption

ABSTRACT We characterized and compared five geographically isolated hot springs with distinct red-layer communities in Yellowstone National Park. Individual red-layer communities were observed to thrive in temperatures ranging from 35 to 60°C and at pH 7 to 9. All communities were dominated by red filamentous bacteria and contained bacteriochlorophyll a (Bchl a), suggesting that they represented novel green nonsulfur (GNS) bacteria. The in vivo absorption spectra of individual sites were different, with two sites showing unusual Bchl a protein absorption bands beyond 900 nm. We prepared and analyzed 16S rRNA libraries from all of these sites by using a combination of general bacterial primers and new GNS-specific primers described here. These studies confirmed the presence of novel GNS-like bacteria in all five communities. All GNS-like clones were most similar to Roseiflexus castenholzii, a red filamentous bacterium from Japan that also contains only Bchl a. Phylogenies constructed by using GNS-like clones from Yellowstone red-layer communities suggest the presence of a moderately diverse new “red” cluster within the GNS lineage. Within this cluster, at least two well-supported subclusters emerged: YRL-A was most similar to Roseiflexus and YRL-B appeared to be novel, containing no known isolates. While these patterns showed some site specificity, they did not correlate with observed Bchl a spectrum differences or obvious features of the habitat.

scholarly journals Archaeal and Bacterial Glycerol Dialkyl Glycerol Tetraether Lipids in Hot Springs of Yellowstone National Park

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (19) ◽  
pp. 6181-6191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Schouten ◽  
Marcel T. J. van der Meer ◽  
Ellen C. Hopmans ◽  
W. Irene C. Rijpstra ◽  
Anna-Louise Reysenbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Group I ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Tetraether Lipids

ABSTRACTGlycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) are core membrane lipids originally thought to be produced mainly by (hyper)thermophilic archaea. Environmental screening of low-temperature environments showed, however, the abundant presence of structurally diverse GDGTs from both bacterial and archaeal sources. In this study, we examined the occurrences and distribution of GDGTs in hot spring environments in Yellowstone National Park with high temperatures (47 to 83°C) and mostly neutral to alkaline pHs. GDGTs with 0 to 4 cyclopentane moieties were dominant in all samples and are likely derived from both (hyper)thermophilicCrenarchaeotaandEuryarchaeota. GDGTs with 4 to 8 cyclopentane moieties, likely derived from the crenarchaeotal orderSulfolobalesand the euryarchaeotal orderThermoplasmatales, are usually present in much lower abundance, consistent with the relatively high pH values of the hot springs. The relative abundances of cyclopentane-containing GDGTs did not correlate with in situ temperature and pH, suggesting that other environmental and possibly genetic factors play a role as well. Crenarchaeol, a biomarker thought to be specific for nonthermophilic group ICrenarchaeota, was also found in most hot springs, though in relatively low concentrations, i.e., <5% of total GDGTs. Its abundance did not correlate with temperature, as has been reported previously. Instead, the cooccurrence of relatively abundant nonisoprenoid GDGTs thought to be derived from soil bacteria suggests a predominantly allochthonous source for crenarchaeol in these hot spring environments. Finally, the distribution of bacterial branched GDGTs suggests that they may be derived from the geothermally heated soils surrounding the hot springs.

scholarly journals The fate of a travertine record: impact of early diagenesis on the Y‐10 core (Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, USA)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva De Boever ◽  
David Jaramillo‐Vogel ◽  
Anne‐Sophie Bouvier ◽  
Norbert Frank ◽  
Andrea Schröder‐Ritzrau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Early Diagenesis

scholarly journals Isolation, Characterization, and Ecology of Sulfur-Respiring Crenarchaea Inhabiting Acid-Sulfate-Chloride-Containing Geothermal Springs in Yellowstone National Park

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (20) ◽  
pp. 6669-6677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric S. Boyd ◽  
Robert A. Jackson ◽  
Gem Encarnacion ◽  
James A. Zahn ◽  
Trevor Beard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Lipid Fraction ◽  
Carbon Sources ◽  
16S Rrna Genes ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Geothermal Springs ◽  
Physiological Characterization

ABSTRACT Elemental sulfur (S0) is associated with many geochemically diverse hot springs, yet little is known about the phylogeny, physiology, and ecology of the organisms involved in its cycling. Here we report the isolation, characterization, and ecology of two novel, S0-reducing Crenarchaea from an acid geothermal spring referred to as Dragon Spring. Isolate 18U65 grows optimally at 70 to 72°C and at pH 2.5 to 3.0, while isolate 18D70 grows optimally at 81°C and pH 3.0. Both isolates are chemoorganotrophs, dependent on complex peptide-containing carbon sources, S0, and anaerobic conditions for respiration-dependent growth. Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) containing four to six cyclopentyl rings were present in the lipid fraction of isolates 18U65 and 18D70. Physiological characterization suggests that the isolates are adapted to the physicochemical conditions of Dragon Spring and can utilize the natural organic matter in the spring as a carbon and energy source. Quantitative PCR analysis of 16S rRNA genes associated with the S0 flocs recovered from several acid geothermal springs using isolate-specific primers indicates that these two populations together represent 17 to 37% of the floc-associated DNA. The physiological characteristics of isolates 18U65 and 18D70 are consistent with their potential widespread distribution and putative role in the cycling of sulfur in acid geothermal springs throughout the Yellowstone National Park geothermal complex. Based on phenotypic and genetic characterization, the designations Caldisphaera draconis sp. nov. and Acidilobus sulfurireducens sp. nov. are proposed for isolates 18U65 and 18D70, respectively.

Microstructure of high-temperature (>73 °C) siliceous sinter deposited around hot springs and geysers, Yellowstone National Park: the role of biological and abiological processes in sedimentation

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (11) ◽  
pp. 1611-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R Lowe ◽  
Deena Braunstein
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Strain Effect ◽  
Temperature Sinter ◽  
Architectural Features ◽  
Siliceous Sinter ◽  
High Temperature Sinter

Slightly alkaline hot springs and geysers in Yellowstone National Park exhibit distinctive assemblages of high-temperature (>73 °C) siliceous sinter reflecting local hydrodynamic conditions. The main depositional zones include subaqueous pool and channel bottoms and intermittently wetted subaerial splash, surge, and overflow areas. Subaqueous deposits include particulate siliceous sediment and dendritic and microbial silica framework. Silica framework forms thin, porous, microbe-rich films coating subaqueous surfaces. Spicules with intervening narrow crevices dominate in splash zones. Surge and overflow deposits include pool and channel rims, columns, and knobs. In thin section, subaerial sinter is composed of (i) dark brown, nearly opaque laminated sinter deposited on surfaces that evaporate to dryness; (ii) clear translucent silica deposited subaqueously through precipitation driven by supersaturation; (iii) heterogeneous silica representing silica-encrusted microbial filaments and detritus; and (iv) sinter debris. Brownish laminations form the framework of most sinter deposited in surge and overflow zones. Pits and cavities are common architectural features of subaerial sinter and show concave-upward pseudo-cross-laminations and micro-unconformities developed through migration. Marked birefringence of silica deposited on surfaces that evaporate to dryness is probably a strain effect. Repeated wetting and evaporation, often to dryness, and capillary effects control the deposition, morphology, and microstructure of most high-temperature sinter outside of the fully subaqueous zone. Microbial filaments are abundant on and within high-temperature sinter but do not provide the main controls on morphology or structuring except in biofilms developed on subaqueous surfaces. Millimetre-scale lamination cyclicity in much high-temperature sinter represents annual layering and regular seasonal fluctuations in silica sedimentation.

scholarly journals Pyrobaculum yellowstonensis Strain WP30 Respires on Elemental Sulfur and/or Arsenate in Circumneutral Sulfidic Geothermal Sediments of Yellowstone National Park

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 5907-5916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. J. Jay ◽  
J. P. Beam ◽  
A. Dohnalkova ◽  
R. Lohmayer ◽  
B. Bodle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Elemental Sulfur ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Physiological Attributes ◽  
And Function ◽  
Metagenome Sequence

ABSTRACTThermoproteales(phylumCrenarchaeota) populations are abundant in high-temperature (>70°C) environments of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) and are important in mediating the biogeochemical cycles of sulfur, arsenic, and carbon. The objectives of this study were to determine the specific physiological attributes of the isolatePyrobaculum yellowstonensisstrain WP30, which was obtained from an elemental sulfur sediment (Joseph's Coat Hot Spring [JCHS], 80°C, pH 6.1, 135 μM As) and relate this organism to geochemical processes occurringin situ. Strain WP30 is a chemoorganoheterotroph and requires elemental sulfur and/or arsenate as an electron acceptor. Growth in the presence of elemental sulfur and arsenate resulted in the formation of thioarsenates and polysulfides. The complete genome of this organism was sequenced (1.99 Mb, 58% G+C content), revealing numerous metabolic pathways for the degradation of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. Multiple dimethyl sulfoxide-molybdopterin (DMSO-MPT) oxidoreductase genes, which are implicated in the reduction of sulfur and arsenic, were identified. Pathways for thede novosynthesis of nearly all required cofactors and metabolites were identified. The comparative genomics ofP. yellowstonensisand the assembled metagenome sequence from JCHS showed that this organism is highly related (∼95% average nucleotide sequence identity) toin situpopulations. The physiological attributes and metabolic capabilities ofP. yellowstonensisprovide an important foundation for developing an understanding of the distribution and function of these populations in YNP.

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