Thermophilic trace-gas oxidation in volcanic high-alpine environments

In this study we detail a snapshot into the microbial diversity and biogeography of oligotrophic, bare, high-alpine Mt. Tongariro surface and subsurface soils from extinct South, Red and Central Crater vents systems. Over geological history the South, Red and Central Craters, were actively degassing and heated, and undoubtedly some of the organisms detected are relic DNA preserved from the past. Indeed, one of the interesting observations made as part of the soil community surveys was the detection of thermophilic taxa within these cold ecosystems. As little is known about how extremophiles persist outside of their normal growth parameters, we tested whether thermophiles were utilising the oxidation of trace gases H2 and CO as a supplemental source of energy in suboptimal conditions.

本研究详细报道了来自休眠南火山口、红火山口与中央火山口喷口系统的贫营养（oligotrophic）、裸露型高海拔汤加里罗山（Mt. Tongariro）地表及地下土壤的微生物多样性与生物地理学（biogeography）快照。在地质历史进程中，上述三座火山口曾持续活跃脱气并维持高温，因此本次检测到的部分微生物应为过往留存的残余DNA（relic DNA）。诚然，本次土壤群落调查得到的一项有趣观测结果为：在这些寒冷生态系统中检测到了嗜热类群（thermophilic taxa）。鉴于目前学界对极端微生物（extremophiles）如何在偏离其最适生长参数的环境中存活的机制知之甚少，本研究探究了嗜热微生物是否可在亚适生条件下，利用微量气体H₂与CO的氧化反应作为补充能量来源。