Microbial ecology of redoxclines in cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula. aquatic metagenome and metatranscriptome

In cenote El Zapote (Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula) extraordinary, subaqueous bell-shaped calcite formations, so-called Hells Bells, were discovered. In this project, the biofilm community on Hells Bells formations in the redoxcline of cenote El Zapote was analyzed on the metagenomic level. Based on previous studies on the involvement of microorganisms in the formation process of these speleothemes, the next step was to study another cenote that shows a similiar hydrogeochemistry but no Hells Bells. In this context, the microbial ecology of the cenote Angelita (south-west of Tulum) was studied. In detail, a metagenomic and -transcriptomic profiling was conducted for the microbial community in the redoxcline of cenote Angelita (without Hells Bells).