Metagenome-assembled genomes infer potential microbial metabolism in alkaline sulphidic tailings

In this study, we detected a considerable amount of viable bacterial and archaeal cells using fluorescent in situ hybridization in alkaline sulphidic tailings from Mt Isa, Queensland. By taking advantage of high-throughput sequencing and up-to-date metagenomic binning technology, we reconstructed the microbial community structure and potential coupled iron and nitrogen metabolism pathways in the tailings. Assembly of 10 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), with 5 nearly complete, was achieved. From this, detailed insights into the community metabolic capabilities was derived. Dominant microbial species were seen to possess powerful resistance systems for osmotic, metal and oxidative stresses. Additionally, these community members had metabolic capabilities for sulphide oxidation, for causing increased salinity and metal release, and for leading to N depletion.

本研究通过荧光原位杂交（fluorescent in situ hybridization）技术，在昆士兰州芒特艾萨的碱性硫化尾矿中检测到大量具有活性的细菌与古菌细胞。依托高通量测序与前沿宏基因组分箱技术，本研究重构了该尾矿环境中的微生物群落结构以及铁与氮耦合代谢的潜在通路。本研究成功组装得到10个宏基因组组装基因组（metagenome-assembled genomes，MAGs），其中5个接近完整，借此我们对该群落的代谢功能获得了详尽的解析。结果表明，优势微生物类群具备应对渗透压、金属与氧化胁迫的高效抗性系统；此外，这些群落成员具备硫化物氧化代谢能力，可导致盐度升高与金属溶出，并引发氮元素耗竭。