DNA stable ‐isotope probing reveals potential key players for microbial decomposition and degradation of diatom‐derived marine particulate matter

By combining DNA stable ‐isotope probing and Illumina Miseq high‐throughput sequencing, we identified 14 bacterial taxonomic groups actively involved in the decomposition of particulate organic matter (POM) at different pressures. Both particle‐attached and free‐living microorganisms were able to decompose POM and assimilate the released dissolved organic matter, suggesting the decoupling between microbial lifestyles and ecological functions. Our results provide direct evidence linking the specific microbial lineages to decomposition and degradation of POM and identified the potential mediators of POM fluxes in the ocean. AbstractMicrobially mediated decomposition of particulate organic carbon (POC) is a central component of the oceanic carbon cycle, controlling the flux of organic carbon from the surface ocean to the deep ocean. Yet, the specific microbial taxa responsible for POC decomposition and degradation in the deep ocean are still unknown. To target the active microbial lineages involved in these processes,13C ‐labeled particulate organic matter (POM) was used as a substrate to incubate particle‐attached (PAM) and free‐living microbial (FLM) assemblages from the epi‐ and bathypelagic zones of the New Britain Trench (NBT). By combining DNA stable‐isotope probing and Illumina Miseq high‐throughp ut sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene, we identified 14 active bacterial taxonomic groups that implicated in the decomposition of13C ‐labeled POM at low...
Source: MicrobiologyOpen - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research