Influence of thermophilic bacteria on calcite and silica precipitation in hot springs with water temperatures above 90 °C: evidence from Kenya and New Zealand

1996 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Jones ◽  
Robin W. Renaut
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Crystal Nucleation ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Filamentous Bacteria ◽  
Silica Precipitation ◽  
Up Elements

Hot and boiling springs in Kenya and New Zealand that are emitting water with temperatures more than 90 °C are commonly characterized by a complex array of CaCO3and SiO2precipitates that have been formed through abiogenic and biogenic processes. Thermophilic bacteria are the only microbes that can survive in the boiling water that is discharged into pools around the spring orifice. Analysis of modern substrates from various springs in the Kenya Rift Valley and the Taupo Volcanic Zone in New Zealand shows that they are inhabited by a diverse array of coccoid and filamentous bacteria. In some areas these bacteria produce copious amounts of mucus that coat the substrates. Although the coccoid and filamentous bacteria provide substrates for CaCO3and SiO2precipitation, the microbes do not seem to have any direct influence on the morphology of the precipitates that are produced. Conversely, the mucus found in these hot spring pools selectively takes up elements such as Si, Mg, Al, and Fe, but is not calcified. In many cases the elements that are selectively fixed by the mucus are only present in very low concentrations in the spring water. In one of the Waikite springs in New Zealand, the mucus plays an active role in the formation of the calcite deposits by providing a template for crystal nucleation and binding the small calcite crystals to the substrate. The latter process is especially important because the flowing waters of the spring could easily transport the grains if they were not bound to the substrate.

Taxonomic fidelity of silicified filamentous microbes from hot-spring systems in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand

2003 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 475-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Jones ◽  
Robin W. Renaut ◽  
Michael R. Rosen
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Colony Morphology ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Volcanic Zone ◽  
The North ◽  
Preservation Potential ◽  
Physical Changes

ABSTRACTModern, silica-precipitating hot springs, like those found in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) on the North Island of New Zealand, are natural laboratories for assessing microbial silicification. Many of the silicified microbes found in the siliceous sinters of these spring systems seem to be life-like replicas of the original microbes. Such preservation reflects the fact that many of the microbes are replaced and encrusted by opal-A before they are destroyed by desiccation and decay. The taxonomic fidelity of these silicified microbes depends on the preservation potential of those features which are needed to identify them. For example, identification of extant cyanobacteria, relies on as many as 37 different features, most of which are not preserved by silicification.In the hot-spring systems of the TVZ, characterisation of cyanobacteria which have been replaced and encrusted by opal-A is typically restricted to colony morphology, the length, diameter and morphology of the filament, and the presence/absence of septa, branching or a sheath. In many cases, description is limited to a subset of these parameters. Such a limited set of morphological characteristics severely impedes identifications in terms of extant taxa. The physical changes which accompany the stepwise diagenetic progression from opal-A to opal-CT ± opal-C to microcrystalline quartz may lead to further degradation of the silicified microbes and the loss of more taxonomically important features. Clearly, considerable care must be taken when trying to name silicified microorganisms and make palaeoenvironmental inferences.

scholarly journals Genomic adaptations enabling Acidithiobacillus distribution across wide-ranging hot spring temperatures and pHs

Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanenath Sriaporn ◽  
Kathleen A. Campbell ◽  
Martin J. Van Kranendonk ◽  
Kim M. Handley
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Thermal Adaptation ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ph Homeostasis ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Related Group ◽  
Geothermal Environments

Abstract Background Terrestrial hot spring settings span a broad spectrum of physicochemistries. Physicochemical parameters, such as pH and temperature, are key factors influencing differences in microbial composition across diverse geothermal areas. Nonetheless, analysis of hot spring pools from the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand, revealed that some members of the bacterial genus, Acidithiobacillus, are prevalent across wide ranges of hot spring pHs and temperatures. To determine the genomic attributes of Acidithiobacillus that inhabit such diverse conditions, we assembled the genomes of 19 uncultivated hot spring Acidithiobacillus strains from six geothermal areas and compared these to 37 publicly available Acidithiobacillus genomes from various habitats. Results Analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons from 138 samples revealed that Acidithiobacillus comprised on average 11.4 ± 16.8% of hot spring prokaryotic communities, with three Acidithiobacillus amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) (TVZ_G1, TVZ_G2, TVZ_G3) accounting for > 90% of Acidithiobacillus in terms of relative abundance, and occurring in 126 out of 138 samples across wide ranges of temperature (17.5–92.9 °C) and pH (1.0–7.5). We recovered 19 environmental genomes belonging to each of these three ASVs, as well as a fourth related group (TVZ_G4). Based on genome average nucleotide identities, the four groups (TVZ_G1-TVZ_G4) constitute distinct species (ANI < 96.5%) of which three are novel Acidithiobacillus species (TVZ_G2-TVZ_G4) and one belongs to Acidithiobacillus caldus (TVZ_G1). All four TVZ Acidithiobacillus groups were found in hot springs with temperatures above the previously known limit for the genus (up to 40 °C higher), likely due to significantly higher proline and GC contents than other Acidithiobacillus species, which are known to increase thermostability. Results also indicate hot spring-associated Acidithiobacillus have undergone genome streamlining, likely due to thermal adaptation. Moreover, our data suggest that Acidithiobacillus prevalence across varied hot spring pHs is supported by distinct strategies, whereby TVZ_G2-TVZ_G4 regulate pH homeostasis mostly through Na+/H+ antiporters and proton-efflux ATPases, whereas TVZ_G1 mainly relies on amino acid decarboxylases. Conclusions This study provides insights into the distribution of Acidithiobacillus species across diverse hot spring physichochemistries and determines genomic features and adaptations that potentially enable Acidithiobacillus species to colonize a broad range of temperatures and pHs in geothermal environments.

scholarly journals Temperature and pH control on lipid composition of silica sinters from diverse hot springs in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

Extremophiles ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurpreet Kaur ◽  
Bruce W. Mountain ◽  
Matthew B. Stott ◽  
Ellen C. Hopmans ◽  
Richard D. Pancost
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lipid Composition ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Ph Control ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Volcanic Zone

Facies architecture in depositional systems resulting from the interaction of acidic springs, alkaline springs, and acidic lakes: case study of Lake Roto-a-Tamaheke, Rotorua, New Zealand

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (10) ◽  
pp. 1217-1250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Jones ◽  
Robin W. Renaut
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lake Level ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Drainage Basin ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Facies Architecture ◽  
Run Off ◽  
Temporal Variance

The facies architecture in hot spring systems tends to become more varied and complicated as the degrees of freedom in the system increase. Discharge aprons fed by waters from a single vent will, for example, be characterized by predictable downslope facies changes that reflect downslope changes in water chemistry and temperature. The facies architecture, however, becomes exponentially more intricate when more factors start to impact the system. This phenomenon is readily apparent in the geothermal area around Lake Roto-a-Tamaheke (located in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, Rotorua, New Zealand) where the facies architecture developed in response to the interactions between acid lake, acid hot spring, and alkaline hot spring depositional regimes, with additional extraneous sediment being brought into the area by volcanic ash clouds, wind-blown pollen, and surface run-off from the surrounding drainage basin. Much of the complexity in the facies architecture of this system stems from the temporal variance in the lake level and the variable life cycles of the acid and alkaline hot springs. Fluctuations in lake level controlled the extent of lacustrine deposits, and flooding commonly quenched spring activity. During some periods various minerals precipitated around the acidic springs, whereas during other periods silica precipitated around the hot alkaline springs that are preferentially located along faults that transect the area. The interaction of all of these variables produces depositional regimes with largely unpredictable and highly variable facies architectures. As such, they contrast sharply with the more organized spring systems that develop when one type of water flows from a single vent.

Anoxybacillus sp. AH1, an α-amylase-producing thermophilic bacterium isolated from Dargeçit hot spring

Biologia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ömer Acer ◽  
Hemşe Pırınççiğlu ◽  
Fatma Matpan Bekler ◽  
Reyhan Gül-Güven
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Potato Starch ◽  
Nitrogen Sources ◽  
Soluble Starch ◽  
Thermophilic Bacterium ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen Sources ◽  
Carbon And Nitrogen ◽  
Optimum Growth Temperature

AbstractThe present study was conducted to isolate α-amylase-producing thermophilic bacteria from Darge¸cit hot springs in Turkey. The morphological, biochemical and physiological characterisation, as well as genetic analysis by 16S rRNA sequences indicated that the isolated strain AH1 was a member of Anoxybacillus genus. The strain was aerobe, Gram-positive and spore-forming rod, exhibiting optimum growth temperature and pH of 60ºC and 7.0-7.5, respectively. Optimization of growth medium and enzyme assay conditions for extracellular α-amylase production by the novel thermophilic Anoxybacillus sp. AH1 were carried out in many different media containing a variety of carbon and nitrogen sources. Among various carbon and nitrogen sources, peptone (2054.1 U/mL) at 1% and maltose (1862.9 U/mL) at 0.5% increased α-amylase activity, compared to controls. Moreover, a high enzyme production was observed with potato starch at 0.5% and 1% (2668.4 U/mL and 3627 U/mL, respectively), as well as with 1% soluble starch (2051.9 U/mL). The enzyme activity was found to be rather high in the presence of CaCl

scholarly journals Isotope geochemistry of gallium in hydrothermal systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Constance E. Payne
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Ion Exchange ◽  
Column Chromatography ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Isotope Geochemistry ◽  
Isotopic Ratio ◽  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Phase Changes ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone

<p>Little is known about the isotope geochemistry of gallium in natural systems (Groot, 2009), with most information being limited to very early studies of gallium isotopes in extra-terrestrial samples (Aston, 1935; De Laeter, 1972; Inghram et al., 1948; Machlan et al., 1986). This study is designed as a reconnaissance for gallium isotope geochemistry in hydrothermal systems of New Zealand. Gallium has two stable isotopes, ⁶⁹Ga and ⁷¹Ga, and only one oxidation state, Ga³⁺, in aqueous media (Kloo et al., 2002). This means that fractionation of gallium isotopes should not be effected by redox reactions. Therefore the physical processes that occur during phase changes of hydrothermal fluids (i.e. flashing of fluids to vapour phase and residual liquid phase) and mineralisation of hydrothermal precipitates (i.e. precipitation and ligand exchange) can be followed by studying the isotopes of gallium. A gallium anomaly is known to be associated with some hydrothermal processes as shown by the unusual, elevated concentrations (e.g. 290 ppm in sulfide samples of Waiotapu; this study) in several of the active geothermal systems in New Zealand.  The gallium isotope system has not yet been investigated since the revolution of high precision isotopic ratio measurements by Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) and so a new analytical methodology needed to be established. Any isotopic analysis of multi-isotope elements must satisfy a number of requirements in order for results to be both reliable and meaningful. Most importantly, the analysis must represent the true isotopic composition of the sample. Ion-exchange chromatography is generally utilised to purify samples for analysis by MC-ICPMS and exclude potential mass interfering elements but care must also be taken to recover as close to 100% of the element of interest as possible, as column chromatography can often result in fractionation of isotopes (Albarède and Beard, 2004).  An ion exchange column chromatography methodology for the separation of gallium based on earlier work by Strelow and associates (Strelow, 1980a, b; Strelow and van der Walt, 1987; Strelow et al., 1974; van der Walt and Strelow, 1983) has been developed to ensure a quantitative and clean separation from the majority of elements commonly associated with hydrothermal precipitates and waters (i.e. As, Sb, Mo, Hg, W, Tl, Fe and other transition metals). A protocol to measure the isotopes of Ga was developed by the adaptation of methods used for other stable isotope systems using the Nu Plasma MC-ICPMS at the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ.  Gallium isotopic ratios have been collected for a suite of samples representing the migration of hydrothermal fluids from deep fluids in geothermal reservoirs to the surface expression of hot spring waters and associated precipitates in hydrothermal systems. A range in δ⁷¹GaSRM994 values is observed in samples from Taupo Volcanic Zone geothermal fields from -5.49‰ to +2.65‰ in silica sinter, sulfide, mud and brine samples. Mineral samples from Tsumeb and Kipushi mines range from -11.92‰ to +2.58‰ δ⁷¹GaSRM994. Two rock standards, BHVO-2 and JR-2 were also analysed for gallium isotopes with δ⁷¹GaSRM994 values of -0.92‰ ±0.12‰ and -1.91‰ ±0.23‰ respectively.</p>

scholarly journals Diversity analysis and metagenomic insights into the Antibiotic Resistance and Metal Resistances among Hot Spring Bacteriobiome-insinuating inherent environmental baseline levels of Antibiotic and Metal tolerance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ishfaq Nabi Najar ◽  
Mingma Thundu Sherpa ◽  
Sayak Das ◽  
Nagendra Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Metal Tolerance ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Metal Resistance ◽  
Culture Independent ◽  
Maximum Similarity

AbstractMechanisms of occurrence and expressions of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in thermophilic bacteria are still unknown owing to limited research and data. The evolution and proliferation of ARGs in the thermophilic bacteria is unclear and needs a comprehensive study. In this research, comparative profiling of antibiotic resistance genes and metal tolerance genes among the thermophilic bacteria has been done by culture-independent functional metagenomic methods. Metagenomic analysis showed the dominance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in these hot springs. ARG analysis through shotgun gene sequencing was found to be negative in case of thermophilic bacteria. However, few of genes were detected but they were showing maximum similarity with mesophilic bacteria. Concurrently, metal resistance genes were also detected in the metagenome sequence of hot springs. Detection of metal resistance gene and absence of ARG’s investigated by whole genome sequencing, in the reference genome sequence of thermophilic Geobacillus also conveyed the same message. This evolutionary selection of metal resistance over antibiotic genes may have been necessary to survive in the geological craters which are full of different metals from earth sediments rather than antibiotics. Furthermore, the selection could be environment driven depending on the susceptibility of ARG’s in thermophilic environment as it reduces the chances of horizontal gene transfer. With these findings this article highlights many theories and culminates different scopes to study these aspects in thermophiles.

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 ISOLATION OF THERMOPHILIC LIPASE PRODUCING BACTERIUM FROM HOT SPRINGS AT THE EAST COAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Tengku Hamid ◽  
◽  
Nur Abidin ◽  
Nurmusfirah Hasan ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hot Springs ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Thermophilic Bacteria ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Thermostable Enzymes ◽  
Thermophilic Microorganisms

Hot spring is a natural habitat for thermophilic bacteria and the primary source of thermostable enzymes useful in industrial applications. In Malaysia, the search for thermophilic organisms has been focused on hot springs, especially on the peninsular West coast. In this work, lipase or esterase producing thermophilic microorganisms were isolated from East coast hot springs in Pahang and Terengganu's states. Morphological and biochemical analysis were carried out on Isolates LH1, LH2, LH3, LH4, LH5, B2B2 and S1B4, which showed that they are gram positive, aerobic, spore forming, and motile organisms. All of the seven isolates showed the ability to grow at 45°C and formed hydrolysis zones on tributyrin agar plates. However, only isolate B2B2 and S1B4 were able to thrive at higher temperatures of up to 65°C. The genotypic characterisation was carried out using 16S rRNA sequencing. Bacillus and Geobacillus species were found to be the dominant bacteria isolated from these hot springs. From La hot spring, isolate LH1 (MT 645486), Isolates LH2 (MT645483), LH3 (MT645484), LH4 (MT 645485) and LH5 (MT 645487) were all closely related to Bacillus sp. (at 97.3-97.9%). Meanwhile, from Bentong and Sungai Lembing hot springs, isolates B2B2 (MT668631) and S1B4 (MT668632) were near related to either Geobacillus kaustophilus or Geobacillus thermoleovorans; each at 98.5% and 97.9% similarity, respectively. These strains from Geobacillus sp. were able to thrive at higher temperature and their thermostable esterases or lipases have properties useful for biotechnological applications.

A microearthquake survey at the Ngawha geothermal field, New Zealand

Geophysics ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (10) ◽  
pp. 1467-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Robinson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Geothermal Field ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Taupo Volcanic Zone ◽  
Thermal Activity ◽  
Volcanic Zone ◽  
Depth Level ◽  
Geothermal Exploration ◽  
The North

A twenty day microearthquake survey of the Ngawha geothermal field, New Zealand, was undertaken in order to establish the level of preproduction seismicity and to test the usefulness of such surveys in geothermal exploration. The Ngawha geothermal field, in the far northwest of the North Island (Northland) is associated with a region of Quaternary basaltic volcanism. It is not a part of the much more extensive Taupo volcanic zone in the central North Island, site of the well‐known Wairakei geothermal field, among others. Although surface thermal activity at Ngawha is limited to a few relatively small hot springs, resistivity surveys have outlined a [Formula: see text] area of hot water at the 1-km depth level (Macdonald et al. , 1977). Test bores to that depth have encountered temperatures of up to 250 °C within Mesozoic graywacke. Overlying the graywacke is about 500 m of Cenozoic claystone and siltstone which forms an impermeable cap.

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