Genomic evidence for the degradation of terrestrial organic matter by pelagic Arctic Ocean Chloroflexi bacteria

Journal Article · 04 July 2018 · Communications Biology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-018-0086-7 · OSTI ID:1457807

Colatriano, David; Tran, Patricia Q.; Guéguen, Celine; Williams, William J.; Lovejoy, Connie ; Walsh, David A.

Abstract The Arctic Ocean currently receives a large supply of global river discharge and terrestrial dissolved organic matter. Moreover, an increase in freshwater runoff and riverine transport of organic matter to the Arctic Ocean is a predicted consequence of thawing permafrost and increased precipitation. The fate of the terrestrial humic-rich organic material and its impact on the marine carbon cycle are largely unknown. Here, a metagenomic survey of the Canada Basin in the Western Arctic Ocean showed that pelagic Chloroflexi from the Arctic Ocean are replete with aromatic compound degradation genes, acquired in part by lateral transfer from terrestrial bacteria. Our results imply marine Chloroflexi have the capacity to use terrestrial organic matter and that their role in the carbon cycle may increase with the changing hydrological cycle.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 1457807
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1624528
• Journal Information: Communications Biology, Journal Name: Communications Biology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1; ISSN 2399-3642
• Publisher: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English