Spatially-resolved correlative microscopy and microbial identification reveals dynamic depth- and mineral-dependent anabolic activity in salt marsh sediment

Coastal salt marshes are key sites of biogeochemical cycling; given their high density of distinct redox environments, they represent ideal systems in which to investigate the community structure of complex microbial communities. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach to reveal metabolic activity patterns and precise spatial arrangements within salt marsh sediment. Sediment samples were examined in 1-cm increments by fluorescence activity cell sorting and high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to link anabolic activity to taxonomic identity. These data provide insights into the fundamental structuring principles that govern metabolic activity and control biogeochemical cycling in a wide range of environmental microbiomes.