sediment metagenome Metagenome

Microbial metabolism in the oxic/anoxic transition zones (OATZ) of sediments can serve as a barrier preventing the emission of nutrients and greenhouse gases diffusing upwards to the overlying water column. However, microbial diversity and activities in this transition zone are not well understood. Here we propose to employ metagenomic shotgun DNA sequencing on three representative samples from oligotrophic sediment columns retrieved from North Pond during IODP Expedition 336. These sediments offer a unique opportunity to explore the OATZ in oligotrophic sediments, and are characterized by both an upper a lower OATZ. In short we aim at: elucidating the identity to the owners of functional genes that are not “accounted” for in the 16S rRNA libraries. Investigate the genomic inventory of uncharacterized sedimentary lineages of putative archaeal ammonium oxidizers. Expand the current knowledge of the microbial community and its potential activity in the OATZ.