Sulfur disproportionating microbial communities in a dynamic,microoxic-sulfidic karst system

Biogeochemical sulfur cycling in sulfidic karst systems is largely driven by abiotic and biological sulfide oxidation, but the fate of elemental sulfur (S⁰) that accumulates in these systems is not well understood. The Frasassi Cave system (Italy) is intersected by a sulfidic aquifer that mixes with small quantities of oxygen-rich meteoric water, creating Proterozoic-like conditions and supporting a prolific ecosystem driven by sulfur-based chemolithoautotrophy. To better understand the cycling of S⁰ in this environment, we examined the geochemistry and microbiology of sediments underlying widespread sulfide-oxidizing mats dominated by Beggiatoa. Sediment populations were dominated by uncultivated relatives of sulfur cycling chemolithoautotrophs related to Sulfurovum, Halothiobacillus, Thiofaba, Thiovirga, Thiobacillus, and Desulfocapsa, as well as diverse uncultivated anaerobic heterotrophs affiliated with Bacteroidota, Anaerolineaceae, Lentimicrobiaceae, and Prolixibacteraceae. Desulfocapsa and Sulfurovum populations accounted for 12%–26% of sediment 16S rRNA amplicon sequences and were closely related to isolates which carry out autotrophic S⁰ disproportionation in pure culture. Gibbs energy (∆G_r) calculations revealed that S⁰ disproportionation under in situ conditions is energy yielding. Microsensor profiles through the mat-sediment interface showed that Beggiatoa mats consume dissolved sulfide and oxygen, but a net increase in acidity was only observed in the sediments below. Together, these findings suggest that disproportionation is an important sink for S⁰ generated by microbial sulfide oxidation in this oxygen-limited system and may contribute to the weathering of carbonate rocks and sediments in sulfur-rich environments.     

西南喀斯特长期植被修复对土壤有机碳组分的影响

揭示西南喀斯特土壤有机碳分布积累及其组分构成对长期植被修复的响应规律和内在机理,可为喀斯特石漠化科学治理和阐明喀斯特植被修复的土壤碳汇效应提供科学依据。以西南典型喀斯特石漠化植被恢复区实施了28-31年的4种植被修复工程内的7种典型修复措施(人造乔木林:柏木和柚木种植;人造灌木林:花椒和火龙果种植;人造藤林:金银花种植;人工草地:砂仁和皇竹草种植)为研究对象,系统分析了土壤总有机碳、活性有机碳、缓效性有机碳和惰性有机碳分布积累对长期植被修复的响应。结果表明:(1)西南喀斯特长期植被修复显著改变了土壤有机碳及其组分的分布积累。人造乔木和藤本显著提升土壤有机碳及其各组分的分布积累,但人工种草不仅不能提高土壤有机碳的累积,反而在多数情况下降低了土壤总有机碳含量和储量以及土壤有机碳各组分含量。(2)西南喀斯特长期植被修复明显影响着土壤有机碳库组分结构。除人工种草外,植被修复显著提升了土壤有机碳库中缓效性有机碳的占比。人造花椒明显降低了土壤有机碳库中活性有机碳的占比。柏木种植显著增加了土壤有机碳碳库中的惰性有机碳的比例,而火龙果和砂仁种植明显降低了土壤有机碳碳库中的惰性有机碳的比例。(3)土壤总氮、总磷和容重与土壤有机碳及其各组分的分布积累具有极显著正/负相关,是长期植被修复背景下西南喀斯特土壤有机碳及其组分分布积累的主要影响因子。研究结果为西南喀斯特脆弱生态系统科学植被恢复,以及基于植被修复的土壤碳循环调控助力碳中和提供了科学理论依据。     

西南不同岩性混合小流域化学风化特征

岩石化学风化影响着全球碳循环和气候变化,化学风化速率的估算及控制因素一直是研究的热点。为探究不同岩性混合小流域内化学风化速率及影响因素,于2018年9月对印江河流域、石阡河流域及余庆河流域采集河水样品并分析水化学特征。结果表明:河水的总溶解性固体(TDS)平均值为244 mg·L^-1,高于世界河流平均值(100 mg·L^-1);TDS值的空间差异显示,岩性分布不同导致离子浓度的明显变化。流域中的优势阴阳离子分别为HCO3^-和Ca^2+,表明流域碳酸盐岩风化对河水水化学组成起主导作用;通过正演模型解析不同端元(大气、人为、硅酸盐岩和碳酸盐岩)对河流中总溶解阳离子贡献发现,支流中碳酸盐岩贡献变化明显(55.0%~93.9%),空间差异主要受岩性影响;印江河、石阡河和余庆河的硅酸盐岩风化速率分别为4.4、2.8和2.5 t·km^-2·a^-1,相应的CO2消耗速率为45×10^3、18×10^3和16×10^3mol·km^-2·a^-1;碳酸盐岩风化速率显著高于硅酸盐岩风化速率,3条河流的碳酸盐岩风化速率分别为43.7、24.7和29.8 t·km^-2·a^-1;CO2消耗速率为498×10^3、284×10^3和354×10^3mol·km^-2·a^-1。研究表明,同一区域相同气候条件下流域风化的空间差异显示了岩性对河流风化的控制作用,其结果可用于区域水环境质量和碳循环评估。     

A gradient of interstitial Niphargus rhenorhodanensis populations in two karst/floodplain transition zones of the French Jura

The Bou-Rouch technique was used to sample two small alluvial plains in two different karst areas. One was mainly supplied by karst water (Verna), the other by both karst and surface water (Pissoir).Physical and chemical characteristics varied with time (seasons) and location of sampling sites at both stations.The distribution of Niphargus rhenorhodanensis populations was influenced by the geographical characteristics of the outlets. Only a small number of individuals was found near the outlet and none in the floodplain when the outlet was located at a base-level (Verna). Individuals were more numerous and their presence constant at all sites and dates when the outlet was located at the overflow level of the massif (Pissoir).     

桢楠幼苗适应喀斯特岩溶裂隙生境及降雨时间格局变化的方式

喀斯特生态系统是全球陆地生态系统的重要组成部分，生态环境极为脆弱。由于碳酸盐岩长期强烈的化学溶蚀作用，其基本特征体现为地表土壤和地下岩溶裂隙及洞穴的二元结构。近年来，在全球气候变化下，我国西南地区降雨格局呈现降雨频次减少且单次降雨量增加的趋势。因此，岩溶裂隙和区域降雨时间格局改变将对喀斯特地区的植物生长产生重要影响。通过模拟不同岩溶裂隙生境(S₀:24 cm土壤；S_1/2:12 cm土壤层+12 cm裂隙层；S_3/4:6 cm土壤层+18 cm裂隙层)和不同降雨时间格局(I_2d:2 d降雨间隔；I_19d:19 d降雨间隔),探究二年生桢楠(Phoebe zhennan S. Lee)幼苗是否通过生物量分配及根系分布的调整来适应变化环境。结果显示：(1)短时间降雨格局下，相比全土生境，少量岩溶裂隙存在并不影响桢楠幼苗生物量的积累，然而随着岩溶裂隙层进一步增厚和降雨时间间隔延长，桢楠降低了总生物量，减少了茎且增大了根和叶的生物量分配。(2)桢楠幼苗的根系垂直分布随着深度增加而下降，...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Tabebuia karsoana</Emphasis> (Bignoniaceae), a new species from the northern karst of Puerto Rico

Summary   Tabebuia karsoana is a shrub or small tree species from the northern karst of Puerto Rico, where it is confined to ridges and hilltops. Its habit and general flower appearance are similar to those of T. haemantha (Bertero ex Spreng.) A. DC. However, T. karsoana is distinguished by leaflets densely covered with white peltate scales on both sides, the corolla fuchsia with a white microscopically papillose throat, the stamens with arcuate filaments, and the anthers divaricate and connivent, among other features. In addition, the two species’ distributions do not overlap and their habitats are contrasting. According to IUCN criteria, the new species can be defined as “endangered” and consequently needs legal protection.

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Resumen   Tabebuia karsoana es una especie de arbusto o árbol peque?o del karso norte?o de Puerto Rico, donde crece sobre riscos y cimas. Es similar a Tabebuia haemantha (Bertero ex Spreng.) A. DC., en la forma de crecimiento y en la apariencia general de las flores. Sin embargo, T. karsoana es distinguible por sus hojuelas densamente cubiertas de escamas blancas y peltadas, sus corolas fucsia con la garganta blanca y microscópicamente papilosa, sus estambres con filamentos arqueados, y sus anteras divaricadas y coniventes, entre otras características. Además, las áreas de distribución de las dos especies no se traslapan y sus hábitats son contrastantes. Con base en los criterios de la UICN, la nueva especie puede definirse como “en peligro”, y consecuentemente amerita protección legal.

     

Cryptic diversity within and amongst spring‐associated Stygobromus amphipods (Amphipoda: Crangonyctidae)

Multiple species of troglomorphic, spring‐associated Stygobromus amphipods, including the endangered, narrow‐range endemic Stygobromus pecki, occupy sites in the Edwards Plateau region of North America. Given the prevalence of cryptic diversity observed in disparate subterranean, animal taxa, we evaluated geographical genetic variation and tested whether Stygobromus contained undetected biodiversity. Nominal Stygobromus taxa were treated as hypotheses and tested with mitochondrial sequence cytochrome oxidase C subunit 1, nuclear sequence (internal transcribed spacer region 1), and AFLP data. Stygobromus pecki population structure and diversity was characterized and compared with congeners. For several Stygobromus species, the nominal taxonomy conflicted with molecular genetic data and there was strong evidence of significant cryptic diversity. Whereas S. pecki genetic diversity was similar to that of congeners, mitochondrial data identified two significantly diverged but sympatric clades. AFLP data for S. pecki indicated relatively recent and ongoing gene flow in the nuclear genome. These data for S. pecki suggest either a substantial history of isolation followed by current sympatry and ongoing admixture, or a protracted period of extremely large effective population size. This study demonstrates that Edwards Plateau Stygobromus are a complex, genetically diverse group with substantially more diversity than currently recognized. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Emplacement and preservation of vertebrates in caves and fissures

The sediments rilling underground cavities and open fissures represent a major source of fossil vertebrate remains. The significance of such sites is disproportionate to the relatively small volume of sediment which they contain, and arises from the enhanced preservation, compared with surface sites, of both bones and sediments and the operation of one or more concentrative processes. Isolation of vertebrate material from temperature and humidity changes, scavenging and soil organisms greatly increases their preservation potential. Three main types of concentrative mechanism can be recognized: where the animals lived and died in that environment (biotic autochthonous); where the animal remains were transported into that environment by some biotic agency, such as a predator (biotic allochthonous); and where the animal remains were introduced into that environment as a result of some abiotic process, such as flooding (abiotic allochthonous). The precise mechanism operating in a particular case may be deduced from a consideration of faunal composition, taphonomic criteria and geomorphological and sedimentological contexts, with each concentrative process being characterized by a distinctive combination of these.     

Tree species influences soil microbial community diversity but not biomass in a karst forest in southwestern China

中国西南喀斯特森林树种对土壤微生物群落多样性和生物量的影响 陆地生态系统中植物种对土壤微生物群落结构的影响不一，而喀斯特生态系统中植物种对土壤微生物群落结构影响的研究尚未见报道。本研究利用磷酸脂肪酸(PLFA)法，分析了黔中高原型喀斯特常绿落叶阔叶混交林5个优势树种—窄叶石栎(Lithocarpus confinis Huang)、圆果化香(Platycarya longipes Wu)、滇鼠刺(Itea yunnanensis Franch.)、安顺润楠(Machilus cavaleriei H. Lév.)、云贵鹅耳枥(Carpinus pubescens Burkill)—与土壤理化性质对土壤微生物群落组成和生物量的影响。在测试的212个土壤样品 中共检测出132种PLFA，每个样品土壤微生物平均PLFA数量和生物量分别为65.97和11.22 µg g^–1。土壤表层(0–10 cm)的土壤微生物PLFA数量与下层(10–20 cm)土壤接近，但前者土壤微生物生物量显著高于后者(P < 0.05)。树种影响土壤微生物PLFA数量，但对土壤微生物生物量没有影响。云贵鹅耳枥附近的土壤微生物PLFA数量显著高于其他树种(P < 0.05)，而其他树种土壤微生物PLFA数量接近。土壤微生物 生物量与表层土壤的理化性质无显著相关，但与下层土壤的有机碳、全氮和全磷含量呈显著正相关 (P < 0.05)。总之，黔中高原型喀斯特森林真菌/细菌生物量比率低，微生物总生物量低，但微生物群落多样性高。树种对土壤微生物群落多样性产生影响。