环境因素对东平湖沉积物细菌群落结构的影响

【目的】探讨环境因素对东平湖沉积物细菌群落结构的影响。【方法】应用T-RFLP(Terminal RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphism)技术分析和比较了6个不同位置的东平湖沉积物在丰水期和枯水期的细菌多样性,并结合不同样品环境因子的差异,采用主成分分析(PCA)和典型对应分析(CCA),探讨了环境因子对细菌多样性的影响。【结果】不同沉积物样品的T-RFLP图谱具有较高的相似性。除2号样品外,所有枯水期样品的细菌群落具有较高的丰富度、多样性、均匀度和较低的优势度。CCA结果表明,558bp T-RF的丰度与总磷、总氮、总有机碳、铵态氮和硝态氮含量呈负相关而与碳氮比和水深呈正相关;64.5、164、509和543bp T-RFs的丰度与总氮、总有机碳、铵态氮、硝态氮、碳氮比和水深呈正相关;而其它14种主要的T-RFs在不同样品间分布较为稳定受环境因子影响不大。90、136.5、138和488bp等T-RFs可能代表了东平湖沉积物中占优势地位的土著菌群。通过Phylogenetic Assignment Tool在线分析结果推测,东平湖沉积物中的优势菌群可能属于Firmicutes和Proteobacteria门。【结论】环境因素对东平湖沉积物的细菌多样性产生显著影响,但对其土著菌群的影响不大。     

福建省3座水库库心沉积物聚磷菌的群落特征

聚磷菌在水库沉积物磷的代谢循环中起着重要作用.采用T-RFLP技术和克隆测序,以多聚磷酸盐激酶基因(ppk1)作为标记基因,研究对比了福建省3座富营养化水库(九龙江西陂水库、平潭三十六脚湖水库和三明东牙溪水库)库心沉积物中聚磷菌的多样性及群落结构.结果表明:3座水库库心沉积物聚磷菌的多样性存在一定差异,但不显著,以三十六脚湖库心样品中聚磷菌多样性最高(Shannon指数H=2.89±0.03,Simpson指数D=0.06±0.01).克隆测序和比对结果分析表明,三十六脚湖水库沉积物样品中聚磷菌种类最多,结构最复杂,这与T-RFLP的结果一致.3座水库库心沉积物样品中聚磷菌优势菌属差异较为明显,但均以变形菌门、放线菌门和酸杆菌门为主,这3个门在3座水库库心沉积物样品中所占比重分别达74.5%、85.0%和75.0%.其中,变形菌门中的厌氧粘细菌属、酸杆菌门中的Solibacter属在3座水库库心沉积物样品中均为优势菌属.沉积物中Fe/Al-P与聚磷菌多样性指数的相关性最显著.Fe/Al-P对聚磷菌群落结构影响最为显著,3个水库共有优势菌属厌氧粘细菌与各形态磷呈正相关,且与OP、Ca-P等难溶解性磷呈显著相关,Solibacter与各形态磷均呈负相关.表明聚磷菌与富营养化水库沉积物磷代谢循环密切相关.     

东太平洋多金属结核区两个站位深海沉积物细菌多样性北大核心CSCD

【目的】为了解东太平洋中国多金属结核勘探合同区西区2个站位(WBC1305和WBC1316A)深海沉积物细菌群多样性。【方法】直接提取环境样品总基因组,通过PCR和TA克隆策略构建了2个站位6个层次16S r RNA基因文库,对2个站位沉积物表层泥样中细菌多样性和群落结构特征进行分析,并通过构建系统发育树,进行系统发育学分析。【结果】2个站位6个文库共获得有效克隆533个,其中472个克隆包括α-变形菌纲、β-变形菌纲、γ-变形菌纲、δ-变形菌纲、浮霉菌门、酸杆菌门、硝化螺旋菌门、放线菌门、绿弯菌门、厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门、迷踪菌门、芽单胞菌门、Hydrogenedentes、Chlorobi和Nitrospinae16个细菌类群,而另外61个克隆为不可分类细菌类群。【结论】结果表明γ-变形菌纲和厚壁菌门分别是WBC1305和WBC1316A站位的优势种群;WBC1316A站位细菌群落结构更加丰富和复杂。     

象山港网箱养殖对近海沉积物细菌群落的影响

微生物在有机物质分解、能量转移等生物地化循环中起着重要作用,研究养殖活动对沉积物中微生物多样性的影响对正确评价近海生态系统结构和功能具有重要意义.结合沉积物的理化分析(T、pH、Eh和SO2-),通过T-RFLP(末端限制性片段长度多态性)分析了象山港网箱养殖对近海不同深度沉积物中细菌群落结构和多样性的影响,构建了对照区0-5 cm沉积物样品的细菌16S rRNA基因克隆文库,并进行了系统发育分析.结果表明,近海网箱养殖活动不但使象山港沉积物Eh、pH值等理化性质有所改变,而且使细菌的群落结构也发生了变化,变形细菌纲细菌的相对丰度降低,细菌群落的多样性和均匀度也显著降低,致使近海沉积物细菌群落由多样性高的稳定结构向多样性降低的不稳定结构转变.     

基于T-RFLP方法的连栽杉木根际土壤细菌群落变化研究

运用末端限制性片段长度多态性技术(T-RFLP),研究福建省尤溪国有林场的多代连栽杉木根际土壤细菌群落变化特征。结果表明:杉木多代连栽后根际微生态失衡,表现为碳循环菌和氮循环菌等有益菌数量减少,病原菌数量增加。在不同代数杉木土壤中,4种内切酶消化后产生的末端限制性片段(T-RFs)数量具有显著差异,第一代杉木(first Chinese fir rotation plantation,FCP)最高,第二代杉木(second Chinese fir rotation plantation,SCP)次之,第三代杉木(third Chinese fir rotation plantation,TCP)最少。土壤理化性质结果表明连栽导致土壤养分逐代降低,除土壤碳氮比与细菌群落多样性呈显著负相关外,土壤养分含量指标与细菌群落多样性呈显著正相关。T-RFLP实验共鉴定出细菌门类12门,其中厚壁菌门、蓝藻门、放线菌门和变形菌门是主要优势菌群。随栽植代数的增加,变形菌门细菌比例递增,而厚壁菌门细菌比例递减。土壤细菌群落多样性指数,表现为随栽植代数增长而减少,呈现FCPSCPTCP趋势,与T-RFs片段数量变化趋势基本一致,表明多代连栽降低了杉木根际土壤细菌群落多样性。依据功能性不同,可将鉴定出的细菌划分为5类:碳循环功能菌、硫循环功能菌、氮循环功能菌、纤维降解菌及病原菌。连栽导致碳循环菌和氮循环菌相对含量降低,硫循环菌和纤维降解菌相对含量提高,病原菌相对含量随栽植代数增加而上升。     

西藏热泉沉积物的硫氧化细菌多样性及其影响因素

【目的】探究西藏热泉沉积物中硫氧化细菌群落多样性及其环境影响因素。【方法】选取西藏5个地热区的25个热泉样点,现场测量各采样点的水体理化参数,并采集热泉水和沉积物样品。通过功能基因(硫代硫酸盐水解酶编码基因:soxB)克隆文库分析方法,研究沉积物样品中硫氧化细菌群落的组成和多样性,并统计分析其与环境参数之间的相关性。【结果】克隆文库分析结果显示,西藏热泉沉积物样品中的硫氧化细菌主要分属于α-Proteobacteria、β-Proteobacteria和γ-Proteobacteria纲。研究样品中的硫氧化菌群落香农指数与溶解有机碳的浓度(R=0.489,P0.05)呈显著正相关。另外,统计发现西藏各热泉之间的硫氧化菌群落组成差异较大,其优势硫氧化细菌种群差异明显,大多数样点的优势硫氧化细菌种群为β-Proteobacteria,少量样点以α-Proteobacteria和γ-Proteobacteria为主。Mantel检验结果显示,西藏热泉样品中的硫氧化细菌群落组成与温度、硫化物、电导率、海拔、总溶解固体和pH显著(P0.05)相关。【结论】西藏热泉沉积物中的硫氧化细菌群落广泛分布,且主要以变形菌门为主。地理隔离和理化差异导致了热泉沉积物样品间的硫氧化菌群落组成差异。     

水产养殖不同物种对水体和沉积物中细菌群落的影响

为探究水产养殖中养殖不同物种对水体和沉积物中细菌群落的影响,以养殖克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii, PC)和中华鳖(Pelodiscus sinensis, PS)的水体和沉积物样品为研究对象,利用基于16S rRNA基因的高通量测序技术,对细菌群落多样性和群落组成进行分析,并结合环境因子,探究水产养殖对细菌群落的影响。结果显示,水体和沉积物中细菌群落的α多样性均呈现PS>PC的显著差异(P<0.05)。非度量多维尺度分析的结果显示,PC和PS区的水体和沉积物细菌群落结构均呈现明显差异。冗余分析(RDA)的结果表明,水体氨氮(NH~+₄-N)和硝酸盐氮(NO~-₃-N)是影响水体细菌群落结构的最主要环境因子,沉积物总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和有机碳(OC)均对沉积物细菌群落结构有显著影响(P<0.05)。PC和PS区中的细菌隶属于34门、114纲、258目、504科和955属,水体中共筛选出了11个优势菌门(相对丰度>0.5%),沉积物中筛选出了13个。2个养殖区域的水体样品中共筛选出了15个优势(...     

退耕还湿后土壤细菌群落结构和生物量变化过程

土壤细菌对湿地生态系统功能和健康维持起着重要作用。以菜子湖原始湿地、不同退耕年限湿地(3a、7a、11a和21a)和仍耕作油菜地土壤为研究对象,应用聚合酶链式反应-变性梯度凝胶电泳(PCR-DGGE)、高通量测序和磷脂脂肪酸(PLFAs)方法分析土壤细菌群落组成和生物量,探讨它们在退耕还湿后的变化过程及其影响因素。结果表明,退耕还湿后土壤变形菌门(α-变形菌纲、β-变形菌纲和δ-变形菌纲)、酸杆菌门(酸杆菌纲和全噬菌纲)、Nitrospinae(Nitrospinia纲)和硝化螺旋菌门(硝化螺旋菌纲)相对丰度先增高后降低;这些参与氮循环的土壤细菌对退耕后湿地生态恢复过程中土壤氮素提升起着重要作用。与农业生产活动密切关联的厚壁菌门(芽孢杆菌纲和梭菌纲)和放线菌门(放线菌纲)相对丰度逐渐降低。湿地土壤细菌多样性在退耕初期(3—7a)上升达到最大,退耕中后期逐渐降低。表层土壤各类群细菌生物量逐渐升高,亚表层土壤各类群细菌生物量则先降后升再降。水分条件和容重是与研究区土壤细菌群落结构和多样性密切相关的土壤因子,而全氮是与土壤细菌生物量密切相关的土壤因子。研究从生态过程视角解析了土壤细菌群落较详...     

甘肃小陇山油松与柴胡栽培土壤细菌群落特征

土壤细菌能够有效促进土壤中物质循环和能量流动,其群落组成、数量及多样性能够反映土壤质量状况。研究不同植被对土壤细菌群落结构和多样性的影响,有助于深入了解土壤健康状况,对实现植被管理和土地可持续利用具有重要意义。以甘肃小陇山移栽至耕地(耕地前期种植柴胡)后生长4年的人工油松苗(Pinus tabulaeformis Carr)土地和长期种植柴胡(Bupleurum chinense)土地的表层土壤(0—30 cm)为对象,采用Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术对2种人工植被下土壤细菌群落进行测定,分析了土壤细菌的Alpha多样性、群落组成和丰富度,并研究土壤化学性质对细菌群落结构的影响。结果表明:1)两种不同植被的土壤细菌群落丰度和多样性无明显差异,但油松地土壤细菌群落均匀度明显小于柴胡地土壤。2)所测土壤样品中共检测到细菌的37个门,84个纲,168个目;其中,主要的优势菌门为变形菌门(Proteobacteria),酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria),绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi),浮霉菌门(Planctomycetes),放线菌门(Actinobacteria),且油松地土壤中的变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的丰富度显著低于柴胡地土壤(P 0. 05),绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)丰富度却显著高于柴胡地(P 0. 05);主要的优势菌纲为酸杆菌纲(Acidobacteria),β-变形菌纲(Betaproteobacteria),放线菌纲(Actinobacteria),变形菌纲(Alphaproteobacteria)和芽单胞菌纲(Gemmatimonadetes),但各优势菌纲的丰度在两个植被土壤之间差异不显著(P0.05)。3)变形菌门(Proteobacteria)丰富度与土壤的碱解氮含量呈显著负相关(P0.05),酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)丰富度与全氮含量显著负相关(P0.01);通过RDA分析发现,碱解氮和全氮是影响细菌群落结构的最主要因子。可见,油松和柴胡植被土壤细菌群落结构及多样性差异不大,但油松地土壤细菌群落的物种分配较柴胡地集中,且优势细菌门中的变形菌门和绿弯菌门在两者之间的差异显著,同时,碱解氮和全氮含量是影响2种植被土壤细菌群落的主要因子。这些结论为了解小陇山不同植被土壤微生物群落组成及多样性提供理论,也为当地进行人工油松苗的种植、经营及土壤管理提供参考。     

渤海湾湾口表层沉积物中的核心细菌群落结构及其对环境因子的响应

【背景】近年来渤海湾环境恶化加重,影响了近海生态系统的可持续发展。微生物对环境的高度灵敏性使其能够迅速对环境的变更做出反应,在海洋能量流动与物质循环过程中发挥了无可替代的作用。【目的】为探讨渤海湾湾口沉积物中细菌群落分布特征及其对环境因子的响应,选取渤海湾湾口21个站位的表层沉积物样品进行探究。【方法】利用高通量测序技术(IlluminaHiSeq2500)对细菌16SrRNA基因V3-V4高变区进行测序,并结合相关环境因子分析沉积物中细菌群落组成和空间分布特征,试图探究起驱动作用的主要环境因子。【结果】研究区域广泛存在的细菌类群包括:变形菌门(Proteobacteria)占56.8%,酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)占8.9%,绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)占8.1%,拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)占6.2%,其中γ-变形菌纲(Gamma-proteobacteria)和δ-变形菌纲(Delta-proteobacteria)为变形菌门中的优势类群。陆源有机物的输入使入海口及近岸处总有机碳(Total organic carbon,TOC)、总有机氮(Total organic nitrogen,TON)含量偏高,并向周围呈辐射状降低,低值位于渤海湾中部深水区域。通过冗余性分析(Redundancy analysis,RDA)发现在研究区域中环境因素对物种组成和群落结构具有显著影响,其中粒径(4μm)和有机氮的影响较大(P0.05)。【结论】渤海湾微生物物种丰富,与环境因素关系显著,人为因素对微生物多样性和群落结构组成具有重要的影响作用。     

Shifts in Microbial Community Composition Following Surface Application of Dredged River Sediments

Sediment input to the Illinois River has drastically decreased river depth and reduced habitats for aquatic organisms. Dredging is being used to remove sediment from the Illinois River, and the dredged sediment is being applied to the surface of a brownfield site in Chicago with the goal of revegetating the site. In order to determine the effects of this drastic habitat change on sediment microbial communities, we examined sediment physical, chemical, and microbial characteristics at the time of sediment application to the soil surface as well as 1 and 2 years after application. Microbial community biomass was determined by measurement of lipid phosphate. Microbial community composition was assessed using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of 16S rRNA genes, and clone library sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Results indicated that the moisture content, organic carbon, and total nitrogen content of the sediment all decreased over time. Total microbial biomass did not change over the course of the study, but there were significant changes in the composition of the microbial communities. PLFA analysis revealed relative increases in fungi, actinomycetes, and Gram positive bacteria. T-RFLP analysis indicated a significant shift in bacterial community composition within 1 year of application, and clone library analysis revealed relative increases in Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Bacteriodetes and relative decreases in Acidobacteria, Spirochaetes, and Planctomycetes. These results provide insight into microbial community shifts following land application of dredged sediment.     

珠江浮游真核微型生物分子多样性及其与水环境的关系

文章分别在丰水期和枯水期于珠江广州段和西江广东段43个样点采集水样, 基于末端限制性长度多态性分析, 研究了珠三角地区珠江水体的浮游真核微型生物的分子多样性及其群落结构和水体理化因子的关系。结果表明, 西江广东段及珠江广州段水体氮和磷严重超标, 水质状况堪忧。枯水期样本浮游真核微型生物香农威尔多样性指数普遍高于丰水期样本, 西江广东段样本浮游真核微型生物多样性指数普遍高于珠江广州段样本。不同水期, 不同区域的浮游真核微型生物群落结构均存在显著差异。珠江样点的浮游真核微型生物群落结构均与化学需氧量、高锰酸盐指数、氨氮、总氮、总磷高度相关; 但不同水期、不同区域的浮游真核微型生物群落结构与理化因子相关系数有所差异。此外, 分别筛选出了1个、8个末端限制性片段代表了潜在的敏感(Cystobasidium sp.或Protostelium nocturnum)、耐污(Acanthamoeba hatchetti、Babesia bicornis、Blastocystis sp.、Botryosphaerella sudetica、Candida caryicola、Coccomyxa simplex、Cryptomonas ovata、Filos agilis、Stenophora robusta、Sulfonecta uniserialis、Theileria sp.等)物种/类群。     

Comparison of Bacterial Communities in New England Sphagnum Bogs Using Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP)

Wetlands are major sources of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases released during microbial degradation. Despite the fact that decomposition is mainly driven by bacteria and fungi, little is known about the taxonomic diversity of bacterial communities in wetlands, particularly Sphagnum bogs. To explore bacterial community composition, 24 bogs in Vermont and Massachusetts were censused for bacterial diversity at the surface (oxic) and 1 m (anoxic) regions. Bacterial diversity was characterized by a terminal restriction fragment length (T-RFLP) fingerprinting technique and a cloning strategy that targeted the 16S rRNA gene. T-RFLP analysis revealed a high level of diversity, and a canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated marked similarity among bogs, but consistent differences between surface and subsurface assemblages. 16S rDNA sequences derived from one of the sites showed high numbers of clones belonging to the Deltaproteobacteria group. Several other phyla were represented, as well as two Candidate Division-level taxonomic groups. These data suggest that bog microbial communities are complex, possibly stratified, and similar among multiple sites.     

南亚热带3种人工林土壤微生物生物量和微生物群落结构特征

以我国南亚热带格木、红椎和马尾松人工林为对象,采用氯仿熏蒸浸提法和磷脂脂肪酸法(PLFA)分析了林地土壤微生物生物量和微生物群落结构组成.结果表明: 林分和季节因素均显著影响土壤微生物生物量、总PLFAs量、细菌PLFAs量和真菌PLFAs量,且干季林分下的土壤微生物生物量、总PLFAs量、单个PLFA量均大于雨季.红椎人工林土壤微生物生物量碳(MBC)和总PLFAs量最高,而格木人工林土壤微生物生物量氮(MBN)最高.土壤pH值对土壤丛枝菌根真菌(16:1ω5c)的影响达到极显著正相关水平.土壤总PLFAs量、革兰氏阳性菌(G⁺)以及腐生真菌(18:2ω6,9c)、革兰氏阳性菌/革兰氏阴性菌(G⁺/G^-)与土壤有机碳、全氮和全磷显著相关,表明土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷含量是影响该地区土壤微生物数量和种类的重要因素.外生菌根真菌(18:1ω9c)和丛枝菌根真菌与土壤碳氮比值呈极显著相关.     

海南东寨港红树林不同植被土壤微生物群落结构比较

【目的】比较不同植被下红树林土壤细菌和古菌的多样性及群落结构,认识红树林土壤微生物资源多样性。【方法】直接提取红树林土壤总DNA,采用细菌通用引物27F/1492R和古菌通用引物Arch21F/Arch958R进行PCR扩增,构建细菌和古菌16S rRNA基因文库,对海南东寨港自然保护区秋茄林、无瓣海桑林和无红树林裸滩土壤的细菌和古菌多样性和群落结构进行分析和比较。【结果】3种土壤样品的细菌类群包括变形细菌门(Proteobacteria)等16个类群,其中变形细菌门(Proteobacteria)与绿屈挠菌门(Chloroflexi)是优势类群;古菌包括6个嗜泉古菌界(Crenarchaeota)类群和7个广域古菌界(Euryarchaeota)类群,分别以Marine Benthic Group C、Marine Benthic Group D为优势类群。多样性指数(H’)和物种丰富度指数(Schao1)表明,本地种秋茄林下土壤细菌和古菌的多样性指数最高,外来种无瓣海桑显著低于秋茄林,甚至明显低于相邻无红树林裸滩沉积物;不同植被下土壤细菌和古菌群落结构存在显著差异,秋茄林土壤微生物群落结构和无红树林裸滩沉积物更相似。【结论】红树林土壤微生物类群丰富,不同植被下土壤细菌和古菌多样性和群落结构存在显著差异。     

Mineralization of glucose and lignocellulose by four arctic freshwater sediments in response to nutrient enrichment.

Microbial biomass and activity were examined in four different arctic sediments: littoral lake sediment and profundal lake sediment from Toolik Lake, Alaska, thaw pond sediment, and eroding river bank peat. The thaw pond sediment had the largest viable microbial biomass, while the profundal sediment had the smallest. Rates of glucose or acetate incorporation into lipids, glucose mineralization, and lignocellulose mineralization (all normalized per unit of biomass) were highest in the river peat sample, however. The kinetics of glucose mineralization in the profundal sediment were very different from those in the other three samples: although the initial rate of mineralization was five times lower than that in the peat and two times lower than that in the littoral and thaw pond sediments, the maximum amount of 14CO2 evolved from [14C]glucose eventually equaled that in the peat and exceeded that in the littoral and thaw pond sediments by 2.0 and 3.5 times, respectively. Carex aquatilis [14C-cellulose]- and [14C-lignin]lignocellulose mineralization rates in the profundal sediment equaled or exceeded those in the littoral sediment after 16 and 46 days, but the pattern of nutrient limitation differed: the profundal sediment was the only one sampled that exhibited nitrogen limitation, while the other three sediments appeared to be limited primarily by phosphorus. The addition of nitrogen and phosphorus together had no cumulative effects on lignocellulose mineralization. When the rates of mineralization or incorporation of glucose are compared with those of lignocellulose, the results of this study indicate that profundal sediment communities may be better able to utilize the more recalcitrant substrates relative to the labile substrates than microbial communities from sediments rich in detritus and standing macrophytes.     

Mineralization of glucose and lignocellulose by four arctic freshwater sediments in response to nutrient enrichment.

Microbial biomass and activity were examined in four different arctic sediments: littoral lake sediment and profundal lake sediment from Toolik Lake, Alaska, thaw pond sediment, and eroding river bank peat. The thaw pond sediment had the largest viable microbial biomass, while the profundal sediment had the smallest. Rates of glucose or acetate incorporation into lipids, glucose mineralization, and lignocellulose mineralization (all normalized per unit of biomass) were highest in the river peat sample, however. The kinetics of glucose mineralization in the profundal sediment were very different from those in the other three samples: although the initial rate of mineralization was five times lower than that in the peat and two times lower than that in the littoral and thaw pond sediments, the maximum amount of 14CO2 evolved from [14C]glucose eventually equaled that in the peat and exceeded that in the littoral and thaw pond sediments by 2.0 and 3.5 times, respectively. Carex aquatilis [14C-cellulose]- and [14C-lignin]lignocellulose mineralization rates in the profundal sediment equaled or exceeded those in the littoral sediment after 16 and 46 days, but the pattern of nutrient limitation differed: the profundal sediment was the only one sampled that exhibited nitrogen limitation, while the other three sediments appeared to be limited primarily by phosphorus. The addition of nitrogen and phosphorus together had no cumulative effects on lignocellulose mineralization. When the rates of mineralization or incorporation of glucose are compared with those of lignocellulose, the results of this study indicate that profundal sediment communities may be better able to utilize the more recalcitrant substrates relative to the labile substrates than microbial communities from sediments rich in detritus and standing macrophytes.     

Community structure of Archaea and Bacteria in a profundal lake sediment Lake Kinneret (Israel)

The microbial community structure of an anoxic profundal lake sediment, i.e., subtropical Lake Kinneret, was analysed with respect to its composition by culture-independent molecular methods including terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, comparative sequence analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR. In particular we were interested in the structure, species composition, and relative abundance of the overall microbial community in the methanogenic sediment layer (0-10 cm depth). Pairwise comparison of archaeal and bacterial 16S rRNA gene T-RFLP profiles obtained from three independent samplings indicated stability of the microbial community. The numbers of Archaea and Bacteria, quantified by real-time PCR, amounted to about 10(8) and 10(10) 16S rRNA gene copies cm(-3) sediment, respectively, suggesting that Archaea may account for only a minor fraction (approximately 1%) of the total prokaryotic community. Hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales and acetoclastic Methanosaeta spp. dominated T-RFLP profiles of the archaeal community. T-RFLP profiles of the bacterial community were dominated by Deltaproteobacteria, sulphate reducers and syntrophs in particular. The second most abundant group was assigned to the Bacteroidetes-Chlorobi-group. Only one bacterial group, which was affiliated with halorespiring bacteria of subphylum II of the Chloroflexi, showed variation in abundance within the sediment samples investigated. Our study gives a comprehensive insight into the structure of the bacterial and archaeal community of a profundal lake sediment, indicating that sulphate reducers, syntrophs, bacteroidetes, halorespirers and methanogens are of particular importance in Lake Kinneret sediment.     

Community structure analyses are more sensitive to differences in soil bacterial communities than anonymous diversity indices

Changes in the diversity and structure of soil microbial communities may offer a key to understanding the impact of environmental factors on soil quality in agriculturally managed systems. Twenty-five years of biodynamic, bio-organic, or conventional management in the DOK long-term experiment in Switzerland significantly altered soil bacterial community structures, as assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. To evaluate these results, the relation between bacterial diversity and bacterial community structures and their discrimination potential were investigated by sequence and T-RFLP analyses of 1,904 bacterial 16S rRNA gene clones derived from the DOK soils. Standard anonymous diversity indices such as Shannon, Chao1, and ACE or rarefaction analysis did not allow detection of management-dependent influences on the soil bacterial community. Bacterial community structures determined by sequence and T-RFLP analyses of the three gene libraries substantiated changes previously observed by soil bacterial community level T-RFLP profiling. This supported the value of high-throughput monitoring tools such as T-RFLP analysis for assessment of differences in soil microbial communities. The gene library approach also allowed identification of potential management-specific indicator taxa, which were derived from nine different bacterial phyla. These results clearly demonstrate the advantages of community structure analyses over those based on anonymous diversity indices when analyzing complex soil microbial communities.