Motilimonas cestriensis sp. nov., isolated from an inland brine spring in Northern England

A novel slightly halophilic Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain (MKS20T) was isolated from a brine sample collected from one of the Anderton brine springs in the Cheshire salt district, located in Northern England. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed a close proximity to Motilimonas eburnea (98.30 %), followed by Motilimonas pumila (96.62 %), the two currently described species within the genus Motilimonas . Strain MKS20T forms white-beige-pigmented colonies and grows optimally at 28–30 °C, in 1–3 % (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7–7.5. The strain was facultatively anaerobic and showed a broader range of carbohydrate use than other species in the genus Motilimonas . Q-8 was the sole respiratory quinone and the major fatty acids (>10 %) were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω6c and/or C16 : 1 ω7c) and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyglycerol and several unidentified lipids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 44.2 mol%. Average nucleotide identity and DNA–DNA hybridization data were consistent with assignment to a separate species. Based on the phylogenetic and genomic-based analyses, as well as physiological and biochemical characteristics, we propose that strain MKS20T (=DSM 109936T, MCCC 1K04071T) represents a new species of the genus Motilimonas , with the name Motilimonas cestriensis sp. nov.

Hydrogeological Properties of Gypseous soils in South Africa

Gypseous soils occur in the western arid and semi-arid regions of South Africa and Namibia. These soils exhibit a complex nature and abnormal behaviour due to their gypsum content and as such they have become more prevalent in research. As these soils are finding more use in industry, an astute understanding of their hydrogeological properties and behaviour is required. Powdery gypseous soil samples collected from the Northern Cape (Geelvloer) and Western Cape (Rooiberg and R355) Provinces, as well as a prepared sample, are subject to XRD analysis, particle size distribution determination and falling-head permeability tests using both water and brine. The testing served as preliminary research to guide further studies into the topic. The prepared sample, with 19% fines, comprises 35% gypsum and 65% sand. Geelvloer samples, with 91.95% gypsum content, are comprised mostly of sand-sized particles with 45% fines. Rooiberg samples contain 75% fines with a slightly lower gypsum content of 83.25%, while R355 samples have 50% fines with 75.35% gypsum. It is generally understood that particle size distribution contributes to the hydraulic conductivity of soils, where a higher portion fines will result in a lower conductivity. In the case of gypseous soils, the solubility is of importance as well, as it may have long term effects. With the intent of evaluating the effect of the aforementioned factors on the hydraulic conductivity of gypseous soils in South Africa, the samples taken represent differences in particle size distribution and origin. Geelvloer had k-values in the order of 8.82×10-6 m/s, with the brine sample giving 9.43×10-6 m/s, while the k-values for Rooiberg and R355 were in the order of 3.90×10-6 m/s and 5.87×10-6 m/s, respectively. The brine resulted in 5.63×10-6 m/s for Rooiberg and 9.90×10-6 m/s for the R355 sample. The made sample, having less fines, had k values in the order of 2.15×10-5 m/s, and 4.19×10-5 m/s for the brine. The differences between the results are largely negligible and show that despite what is believed to influence the hydraulic conductivity, in the case of gypseous soils in South Africa, on a small scale, it remained unaffected.

Effects of Ultrasonic Waves During Waterflooding for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Ultrasonic waves is an unconventional enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology and has been a point of interest as it is more economical and environmentally friendly. Numerous research works on ultrasonic waves application in EOR have been reported, nevertheless the studies on the effect of ultrasonic waves towards oil mobilization in porous media are still debatable. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of ultrasonic waves on enhanced oil recovery of three types of oil (kerosene, engine oil and crude oil) and a brine sample at different temperatures (27°C, 35°C, 45°C, 55°C). A series of ultrasonic waterflooding experiments were conducted under controlled temperature conditions. Results demonstrated that oil recovery increases as the temperature increases during ultrasonic exposure compared to conventional waterflooding. The ultrasonic waves creates energy that increase the mobility of a displacing fluid thus reduce the viscosity of displaced fluids whereas the vibration energy produced from ultrasonic waves induced the mobility of the entrapped oil within the pores. The IR Spectra test indicates that the oil produced from ultrasonic simulated waterflooding for oils with different viscosity and density from the IR Spectra result without ultrasonic exposure due to the influence of flow behavior and sweep efficiencies of fluids. As conclusion, the ultrasonic cavitation is one of mechanism that could improve oil mobilization and enhanced oil recovery.

Halobellus ramosii sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a saline-wetland wildfowl reserve

An extremely halophilic archaeon, strain S2FP14T, was isolated from a brine sample from the inland hypersaline lake Fuente de Piedra, a saline-wetland wildfowl reserve located in the province of Málaga in southern Spain. Colonies were red-pigmented and the cells were Gram-staining-negative, motile and pleomorphic. S2FP14T was able to grow in media containing 12.5–30 % (w/v) total salts (optimum 20 %) at pH 7–8.5 (optimum 7.5) and at 25–50 °C (optimum 37 °C). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that this strain represented a member of the genus Halobellus. S2FP14T showed a similarity of 99.5 % to Halobellus inordinatus YC20T, 96.1 % to Halobellus litoreus GX31T, 95.9 % to Halobellus limi TBN53T, 95.5 % to Halobellus rarus YC21T, 95.2 % to Halobellus rufus CBA1103T, 94.6 % to Halobellus salinus CSW2.24.4T and 94.6 % to Halobellus clavatus TNN18T. The rpoB′ gene sequence similarity of strain S2FP14T was 97.4 % to 87.6 % with members of genus Halobellus. The major phospholipids of strain S2FP14T were phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and phosphatidylglycerosulfate, plus a very small amount of phosphatidylglycerol and an archaeal analogue of bisphosphatidylglycerol. With regard to glycolipid composition, the most abundant glycolipids were the sulfated diglycosyl diphytanilglyceroldiether and a glycosyl-cardiolipin. The G+C content of strain S2FP14T genomic DNA was 61.4 mol%. The DNA–DNA hybridization between strain S2FP14T and Halobellus inordinatus JCM 18361T was 51 %. Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic features, a novel species, Halobellus ramosii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S2FP14T ( = CECT 8167T = DSM 26177T).

Halovarius luteus gen. nov., sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon from a salt lake

An extremely halophilic archaeon, strain DA50T, was isolated from a brine sample of Urmia lake, a hypersaline environment in north-west Iran. Strain DA50T was orange-pigmented, motile, pleomorphic and required at least 2.5 M NaCl but not MgCl2 for growth. Optimal growth was achieved at 4.0 M NaCl and 0.3 M MgCl2. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were pH 7.0 and 45 °C, while it was able to grow over a pH range of 6.5–8.0 and a temperature range of 25–50 °C. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain DA50T is a member of the family Halobacteriaceae, showing a low level of similarity with other members of this family. Highest similarities, 94.4, 94.0 and 93.9 %, were obtained with the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the type strains of Natrialba aegyptia, Halobiforma lacisalsi and Halovivax asiaticus, respectively. Polar lipid analyses revealed that strain DA50T contains phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester. Four unidentified glycolipids and two minor phospholipids were also observed. The only quinone present was MK-8(II-H2). The G+C content of its DNA was 62.3 mol%. On the basis of the data obtained, the new isolate could not be classified in any recognized genus. Strain DA50T is thus considered to represent a novel species of a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae, order Halobacteriales, for which the name Halovarius luteus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Halovarius luteus is DA50T ( = IBRC-M 10912T = CECT 8510T).

Aliicoccus persicus gen. nov., sp. nov., a halophilic member of the Firmicutes isolated from a hypersaline lake

A novel Gram-staining-positive, moderately halophilic bacterium, designated strain A76T, was isolated from a brine sample of the hypersaline lake Aran-Bidgol in Iran. Cells were strictly aerobic, coccus-shaped, non-motile, non-sporulating, and catalase- and oxidase-positive. Strain A76T grew between pH 7.0 and 10.0 (optimal growth at pH 8.0), between 20 and 45 °C (optimal growth at 35 °C) and at salinities of 0.5 to 12.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal growth at 7.5 %, w/v, NaCl). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain A76T was shown to belong to the phylum Firmicutes with sequence similarities of 94.1, 93.1 and 91.1 %, to the type species of the genera Jeotgalicoccus , Salinicoccus and Nosocomiicoccus , respectively. The DNA G+C content of this new isolate was 38.8 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids of strain A76T were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0, and its polar lipid pattern consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, a glycolipid, an unknown lipid and two unknown phospholipids. The isoprenoid quinones were MK-6 (94 %), MK-5 (3 %) and MK-7 (3 %). The amino acid constituents of the cell wall were Lys, Asp, Gly, Glu and Ala. The physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic differences between strain A76T and type strains of taxa with validly published names suggest that this strain represents a novel species in a novel genus within the family Staphylococcaceae , for which the name Aliicoccus persicus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Aliicoccus persicus is strain A76T ( = CECT 8508T = DSM 28306T = IBRC-M 10081T).

Halorientalis persicus sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a salt lake and emended description of the genus Halorientalis

An extremely halophilic archaeon, strain D108T, was isolated from a brine sample of Aran-Bidgol salt lake in Iran. The novel strain was cream-pigmented, motile, pleomorphic rod-shaped and required at least 2.5 M NaCl but not MgCl2 for growth. Optimal growth was achieved with 4.3 M NaCl and 0.1 M MgCl2. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were pH 7.5 and 40 °C, respectively, and the strain was able to grow over a pH range of 6.5 to 9.0, and a temperature range of 30 to 50 °C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons revealed that strain D108T clustered with the type strain of the sole species of the genus Halorientalis , Halorientalis regularis TNN28T, with a sequence similarity of 98.8 %. The polar lipid pattern of strain D108T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, one phosphoglycolipid and two glycolipids. The only quinone present was MK-8(II-H2). The DNA G+C content of strain D108T was 62.8 mol%. DNA–DNA hybridization studies (45 % with Halorientalis regularis IBRC-M 10760T), as well as biochemical and physiological characterization, allowed strain D108T to be differentiated from Halorientalis regularis . A novel species of the genus Halorientalis , Halorientalis persicus sp. nov., is therefore proposed to accommodate this strain. The type strain is D108T ( = IBRC-M 10043T = CECT 8375T). An emended description of the genus Halorientalis is also proposed.

IceMole: a maneuverable probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of subsurface ice and subglacial aquatic ecosystems

There is significant interest in sampling subglacial environments for geobiological studies, but they are difficult to access. Existing ice-drilling technologies make it cumbersome to maintain microbiologically clean access for sample acquisition and environmental stewardship of potentially fragile subglacial aquatic ecosystems. The IceMole is a maneuverable subsurface ice probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of glacial ice and subglacial materials. The design is based on the novel concept of combining melting and mechanical propulsion. It can change melting direction by differential heating of the melting head and optional side-wall heaters. The first two prototypes were successfully tested between 2010 and 2012 on glaciers in Switzerland and Iceland. They demonstrated downward, horizontal and upward melting, as well as curve driving and dirt layer penetration. A more advanced probe is currently under development as part of the Enceladus Explorer (EnEx) project. It offers systems for obstacle avoidance, target detection, and navigation in ice. For the EnEx-IceMole, we will pay particular attention to clean protocols for the sampling of subglacial materials for biogeochemical analysis. We plan to use this probe for clean access into a unique subglacial aquatic environment at Blood Falls, Antarctica, with return of a subglacial brine sample.

Halopenitus malekzadehii sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a salt lake

Strain CC65T, a novel extremely halophilic archaeon, was isolated from a brine sample of a salt lake in Iran. The novel strain was light yellow-pigmented, non-motile, pleomorphic and required at least 1.7 M NaCl and 0.02 M MgCl2 for growth. Optimal growth was achieved at 3.5 M NaCl and 0.4 M MgCl2. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were pH 7.5 and 40 °C, respectively, while it was able to grow over a pH and a temperature range of pH 6.5–9.0 and 30–50 °C, respectively. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain CC65T clustered with the sole member of the genus Halopenitus , Halopenitus persicus DC30T with a sequence similarity of 98.0 %. The polar lipid profile of strain CC65T consisted of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester. An unidentified glycolipid and two minor phospholipids were also observed. The only quinone present was MK-8(II-H2). The DNA G+C content of strain CC65T was 63.8 mol%. On the basis of the biochemical and physiological characteristics, as well as DNA–DNA hybridization (44 % with Halopenitus persicus IBRC 10041T), strain CC65T is classified as a novel species of the genus Halopenitus , for which the name Halopenitus malekzadehii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC65T ( = IBRC-M 10418T = KCTC 4045T).

Haloarchaeobius iranensis gen. nov., sp. nov., an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from a saline lake

Strain EB21T was isolated from a brine sample from Aran-Bidgol salt lake, a saline playa in Iran. Strain EB21T was an orange–red-pigmented, motile rod and required at least 2 M NaCl but not MgCl2 for growth. Optimal growth was achieved at 3.5 M NaCl and 0.2 M MgCl2. The optimum pH and temperature for growth were pH 7.5 and 40 °C, while it was able to grow at pH 6.0–8.0 and 25–55 °C. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strain EB21T is a member of the family Halobacteriaceae , showing low levels of similarity to other members of the family. The highest sequence similarities, 91.8, 91.7 and 91.5 %, were obtained with the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the type strains of Halobiforma lacisalsi , Haloterrigena thermotolerans and Halalkalicoccus tibetensis , respectively. Polar lipid analyses revealed that strain EB21T contains phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester and phosphatidylglycerol sulfate. Three unidentified glycolipids and one minor phospholipid were also observed. The only quinone present was MK-8(II-H2). The G+C content of its DNA was 67.7 mol%. On the basis of the data obtained, the new isolate could not be classified in any recognized genus. Strain EB21T is thus considered to represent a novel species in a new genus within the family Halobacteriaceae , order Halobacteriales , for which the name Haloarchaeobius iranensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Haloarchaeobius iranensis is EB21T ( = IBRC-M 10013T = KCTC 4048T).