Unraveling the influence of microbial necromass on subsurface microbiomes: metabolite utilization and community dynamics

Finley, Brianna K.; Enalls, Brandon C.; de Raad, Markus; Al Said, Mariam; Chen, Mingfei; Joyner, Dominique C.; Hazen, Terry C.; Northen, Trent R.; Chakraborty, Romy

doi:10.1093/ismeco/ycaf006

Title: Unraveling the influence of microbial necromass on subsurface microbiomes: metabolite utilization and community dynamics

Journal Article · Wed Jan 29 00:00:00 UTC 2025 · ISME Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ismeco/ycaf006 · OSTI ID:2526567

Finley, Brianna K. ^[1]; Enalls, Brandon C. ^[1]; de Raad, Markus ^[1]; Al Said, Mariam ^[1]; Chen, Mingfei ^[1]; Joyner, Dominique C. ^[2]; Hazen, Terry C. ^[3]; Northen, Trent R. ^[4]; Chakraborty, Romy ^[1]

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States); USDOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Berkeley, CA (United States)

The role of microbial necromass (nonliving microbial biomass), a significant component of belowground organic carbon, in nutrient cycling and its impact on the dynamics of microbial communities in subsurface systems remains poorly understood. It is currently unclear whether necromass metabolites from various microbes are different, whether certain groups of metabolites are preferentially utilized over others, or whether different microbial species respond to various necromass metabolites. In this study, we aimed to fill these knowledge gaps by designing enrichments with necromass as the sole nutrient source for subsurface microbial communities. We used the soluble fraction of necromass from bacterial isolates belonging to Arthrobacter, Agrobacterium, and Pseudomonas genera, and our results indicate that metabolite composition of necromass varied slightly across different strains but generally included amino acids, organic acids, and nucleic acid constituents. Arthrobacter-derived necromass appeared more recalcitrant. Necromass metabolites enriched diverse microbial genera, particularly Massilia sp. responded quickly regardless of the necromass source. Despite differences in necromass utilization, microbial community composition converged rapidly over time across the three different necromass amendments. Uracil, xanthine, valine, and phosphate-containing isomers were generally depleted over time, indicating microbial assimilation for maintenance and growth. However, numerous easily assimilable metabolites were not significantly depleted, suggesting efficient necromass recycling and the potential for necromass stabilization in systems. This study highlights the dynamic interactions between microbial necromass metabolites and subsurface microbial communities, revealing both selective utilization and rapid community and necromass convergence regardless of the necromass source.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 2526567

Journal Information:: ISME Communications, Journal Name: ISME Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 5; ISSN 2730-6151

Publisher:: Springer NatureCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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