好氧甲烷氧化菌及其工程应用进展

好氧甲烷氧化菌能以甲烷作为碳源和能源,对全球甲烷消除的贡献率高达10%–20%,还能有效地合成有价值的甲烷来源生物产品。文中介绍了好氧甲烷氧化菌的甲烷氧化代谢机理,总结了好氧甲烷氧化菌在填埋场甲烷减排、煤矿通风气治理、合成生物产品、油气藏勘探等领域的实际应用功效和研究热点,即污染物去除和产品合成效率的影响因素。基于对甲烷氧化菌规模化培养方法的研究,本文认为加强培养过程中代谢产物对甲烷氧化菌活性和种群结构影响的研究,以及开发经济高效的替代培养基和培养技术的研究将有利于好氧甲烷氧化菌生物技术的应用推广。     

Microbial diversity in sediments associated with a shallow methane seep in the tropical Timor Sea of Australia reveals a novel aerobic methanotroph diversity

This study examined the diversity of Bacteria, Archaea and in particular aerobic methanotrophs associated with a shallow (84 m) methane seep in the tropical Timor Sea, Australia. Seepage of thermogenic methane was associated with a large carbonate hardground covered in coarse carbonate-rich sediments and various benthic organisms such as solitary corals. The diversity of Bacteria and Archaea was studied by analysis of cloned 16S rRNA genes, while aerobic methanotrophic bacteria were quantified using real-time PCR targeting the α-subunit of particulate methane monooxygenase ( pmoA ) genes and diversity was studied by analysis of cloned pmoA genes. Phylogenetic analysis of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA genes revealed diverse and mostly novel phylotypes related to sequences previously recovered from marine sediments. A small number of bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences were related to aerobic methanotrophs distantly related to the genera Methylococcus and Methylocaldum . Real-time PCR targeting pmoA genes showed that the highest numbers of methanotrophs were present in surface sediments associated with the seep area. Phylogenetic analysis of pmoA sequences revealed that all phylotypes were novel and fell into two large clusters comprised of only marine sequences distantly related to the genera Methylococcus and Methylocaldum that were clearly divergent from terrestrial phylotypes. This study provides evidence for the existence of a novel microbial diversity and diverse aerobic methanotrophs that appear to constitute marine specialized lineages.     

The absolute requirement for carbon dioxide for aerobic methane oxidation by a methanotrophic-heterotrophic soil community of bacteria

An aerobic methanotrophic-heterotrophic soil community has been characterised when growing with different partial pressures of CO₂. The methanotrophic population using methane as carbon source reached 3 × 10⁷ cfu ml^–1 with one of the major methanotrophs being of type II which uses the serine pathway for C assimilation. Optimal methanotrophic activity required the addition of CO₂, and in the absence of CO₂ no methane oxidisers grew. Partial pressures of CO₂ from 1.6 to 11.6 kPa gave optimal cell growth and production of soluble organic compounds. Biomass yield, soluble organics and CO₂ production were 0.36, 0.15, and 0.48 mg mg^–1 methane uptake, respectively, with CO₂ at 11.6 kPa. The results presented here may have important implications for the use of methane-oxidising bacteria in bioremedial applications.     

森林土壤甲烷吸收的主控因子及其对增氮的响应研究进展

森林土壤甲烷(CH4)吸收在生态系统碳、氮循环和碳平衡研究中具有重要作用。论述了森林土壤CH4的产生和消耗过程及其主控因子,有效氮不同的森林土壤CH4吸收对氮素输入的响应差异及其驱动机制,并且明确了现有研究的不足和未来研究的重点。研究表明:大气氮沉降输入倾向于抑制富氮森林土壤的CH4吸收,而对贫氮森林土壤CH4吸收具有显著的促进作用,其内在的氮素调控机制至今尚不明确。主要的原因是过去通过高剂量施氮试验所得出的理论难以准确地解释低水平氮沉降情景下森林土壤CH4吸收过程,有关森林土壤CH4吸收对大气氮沉降响应的微生物学机理也缺乏系统性研究。未来研究的重点是探讨森林土壤CH4物理扩散和净吸收过程对施氮类型、剂量的短期与长期响应,量化深层土壤CH4累积和消耗对表层土壤CH4吸收的贡献,揭示森林土壤CH4吸收对增氮响应的物理学与生物化学机制。另外,研究森林土壤甲烷氧化菌群落活性、结构对施氮类型和剂量的响应,阐明土壤CH4吸收与甲烷氧化菌群落组成的内在联系,有助于深入揭示森林土壤CH4吸收对增氮响应的微生物学机制。     

The role of iron-oxidizing bacteria in biocorrosion: a review

Abstract

Lithotrophic iron-oxidizing bacteria depend on reduced iron, Fe(II), as their primary energy source, making them natural candidates for growing in association with steel infrastructure and potentially contributing to microbially influenced corrosion (MIC). This review summarizes recent work on the role of iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) in MIC. By virtue of producing complex 3-dimensional biofilms that result from the accumulation of iron-oxides, FeOB may aid in the colonization of steel surfaces by other microbes involved in MIC. Evidence points to a successional pattern occurring whereby FeOB are early colonizers of mild steel (MS), followed by sulfate-reducing bacteria and other microbes, although studies of aged corrosion products indicate that FeOB do establish a long-term presence. There is evidence that only specific clades of FeOB, with unique adaptations for growing on steel surfaces are part of the MIC community. These are discussed in the context of the larger MIC microbiome.     

Diversity of microbial eukaryotes in sediment at a deep-sea methane cold seep: surveys of ribosomal DNA libraries from raw sediment samples and two enrichment cultures

Recent culture-independent surveys of eukaryotic small-subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) from many environments have unveiled unexpectedly high diversity of microbial eukaryotes (microeukaryotes) at various taxonomic levels. However, such surveys were most probably biased by various technical difficulties, resulting in underestimation of microeukaryotic diversity. In the present study on oxygen-depleted sediment from a deep-sea methane cold seep of Sagami Bay, Japan, we surveyed the diversity of eukaryotic rDNA in raw sediment samples and in two enrichment cultures. More than half of all clones recovered from the raw sediment samples were of the basidiomycetous fungus Cryptococcus curvatus. Among other clones, phylotypes of eukaryotic parasites, such as Apicomplexa, Ichthyosporea, and Phytomyxea, were identified. On the other hand, we observed a marked difference in phylotype composition in the enrichment samples. Several phylotypes belonging to heterotrophic stramenopiles were frequently found in one enrichment culture, while a phylotype of Excavata previously detected at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent dominated the other. We successfully established a clonal culture of this excavate flagellate. Since these phylotypes were not identified in the raw sediment samples, the approach incorporating a cultivation step successfully found at least a fraction of the “hidden” microeukaryotic diversity in the environment examined. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

水生生态系统中金属依赖型甲烷厌氧氧化过程的研究进展

甲烷是一种比CO_2更活跃的温室气体,微生物驱动的甲烷厌氧氧化(anaerobicoxidationof methane,AOM)过程对于降低全球甲烷的排放有着重要意义。参与AOM反应的最终电子受体主要分为三类,即硫酸盐、亚硝酸盐/硝酸盐以及以Fe(III)、Mn(IV)等为代表的金属离子。可溶性金属物质和不溶性金属矿物都可以被用作AOM的电子受体,这大大提高了参与金属依赖型甲烷厌氧氧化(metal-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane,Metal-AOM)微生物的生态价值。目前研究聚焦在功能菌群、生态分布等方面。部分甲烷厌氧氧化古菌(anaerobic methanotrophic archaea,ANME)具有直接或间接参与Metal-AOM过程的能力。但由于功能菌群纯化富集和分离具有一定难度,有关其生理生化和生态学等特征的研究受到限制。同时,随着Metal-AOM被发现存在于不同水生生境中,其在污染治理领域的应用也被广泛讨论,但是河口生境尚缺乏深入研究。本文从Metal-AOM的发现入手,阐述了参与该过程的主要微生物及其在水域环境下的生态分布,并介绍了Metal-AOM的反应机制和在实际应用中的机遇与挑战。最后,根据现有研究结果,提出对功能菌群、机制及环保应用的研究展望,包括微生物分离纯化和影响因素、菌群代谢活性和作用机制的解析以及新型生产工艺的设计和发展应用,以期为今后的环境污染治理和工业应用提供借鉴意义。     

The role of biomineralization in microbiologically influenced corrosion

Synthetic iron oxides (goethite, -FeO·OH; hematite, Fe₂O₃; and ferrihydrite, Fe(OH)₃) were used as model compounds to simulate the mineralogy of surface films on carbon steel. Dissolution of these oxides exposed to pure cultures of the metal-reducing bacterium, Shewanella putrefaciens, was followed by direct atomic absorption spectroscopy measurement of ferrous iron coupled with microscopic analyses using confocal laser scanning and environmental scanning electron microscopies. During an 8-day exposure the organism colonized mineral surfaces and reduced solid ferric oxides to soluble ferrous ions. Elemental composition, as monitored by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, indicated mineral replacement reactions with both ferrihydrite and goethite as iron reduction occurred. When carbon steel electrodes were exposed to S. putrefaciens, microbiologically influenced corrosion was demonstrated electrochemically and microscopically.     

Anaerobic methane oxidation potential and bacteria in freshwater lakes: Seasonal changes and the influence of trophic status

Nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-damo), mainly carried out by n-damo bacteria, is an important pathway for mitigating methane emission from freshwater lakes. Although n-damo bacteria have been detected in a variety of freshwater lakes, their potential and distribution, and associated environmental factors, remain unclear. Therefore, the current study investigated the potential and distribution of anaerobic methanotrophs in sediments from Erhai Lake and Dianchi Lake, two adjacent freshwater lakes in the Yunnan Plateau with different trophic status. Both lakes showed active anaerobic methane oxidation potential and harbored a high density of n-damo bacteria. Based on the n-damo pmoA gene, sediment n-damo bacterial communities mainly consisted of Candidatus Methylomirabils oxyfera and Candidatus Methylomirabils sinica, as well as novel n-damo organisms. Sediment anaerobic methane oxidation potential and the n-damo bacterial community showed notable differences among seasons and between lakes. The environmental variables associated with lake trophic status (e.g. total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and total organic carbon) might have significant impacts on the anaerobic methane oxidation potential, as well as the abundance and community structure of n-damo bacteria. Therefore, trophic status could determine the n-damo process in freshwater lake sediment.     

The corrosion behaviour of galvanized steel in cooling tower water containing a biocide and a corrosion inhibitor

The corrosion behaviour of galvanized steel in cooling tower water containing a biocide and a corrosion inhibitor was investigated over a 10-month period in a hotel. Planktonic and sessile numbers of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) and heterotrophic bacteria were monitored. The corrosion rate was determined by the weight loss method. The corrosion products were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. A mineralized, heterogeneous biofilm was observed on the coupons. Although a biocide and a corrosion inhibitor were regularly added to the cooling water, the results showed that microorganisms, such as SRB in the mixed species biofilm, caused corrosion of galvanized steel. It was observed that Zn layers on the test coupons were completely depleted after 3?months. The Fe concentrations in the biofilm showed significant correlations with the weight loss and carbohydrate concentration (respectively, p?<?0.01 and p?<?0.01).     

Suppression of methanogenesis by dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria in tropical rain forest soils: implications for ecosystem methane flux

Tropical forests are an important source of atmospheric methane (CH₄), and recent work suggests that CH₄ fluxes from humid tropical environments are driven by variations in CH₄ production, rather than by bacterial CH₄ oxidation. Competition for acetate between methanogenic archaea and Fe(III)‐reducing bacteria is one of the principal controls on CH₄ flux in many Fe‐rich anoxic environments. Upland humid tropical forests are also abundant in Fe and are characterized by high organic matter inputs, steep soil oxygen (O₂) gradients, and fluctuating redox conditions, yielding concomitant methanogenesis and bacterial Fe(III) reduction. However, whether Fe(III)‐reducing bacteria coexist with methanogens or competitively suppress methanogenic acetate use in wet tropical soils is uncertain. To address this question, we conducted a process‐based laboratory experiment to determine if competition for acetate between methanogens and Fe(III)‐reducing bacteria influenced CH₄ production and C isotope composition in humid tropical forest soils. We collected soils from a poor to moderately drained upland rain forest and incubated them with combinations of ¹³C‐bicarbonate, ¹³C‐methyl labeled acetate (¹³CH₃COO^?), poorly crystalline Fe(III), or fluoroacetate. CH₄ production showed a greater proportional increase than Fe²⁺ production after competition for acetate was alleviated, suggesting that Fe(III)‐reducing bacteria were suppressing methanogenesis. Methanogenesis increased by approximately 67 times while Fe²⁺ production only doubled after the addition of ¹³CH₃COO^?. Large increases in both CH₄ and Fe²⁺ production also indicate that the two process were acetate limited, suggesting that acetate may be a key substrate for anoxic carbon (C) metabolism in humid tropical forest soils. C isotope analysis suggests that competition for acetate was not the only factor driving CH₄ production, as ¹³C partitioning did not vary significantly between ¹³CH₃COO^? and ¹³CH₃COO^?+Fe(III) treatments. This suggests that dissimilatory Fe(III)‐reduction suppressed both hydrogenotrophic and aceticlastic methanogenesis. These findings have implications for understanding the CH₄ biogeochemistry of highly weathered wet tropical soils, where CH₄ efflux is driven largely by CH₄ production.     

Tributyltin-resistant marine bacteria: a summary of recent work

Summary A tributyltin chloride (TBTCl)-resistant bacterium,Alteromonas sp. M-1, was isolated from coastal seawater. This bacterium grew in medium containing 125 M TBTCl. TBTCl added to the medium was taken up by this bacterium, however, the amount of TBTCl in the cellular fraction was low after the logarithmic phase, suggesting the existence of a TBTCl-efflux system. A genetic library was constructed using plasmid vector pUC 19. Three positive clones were obtained, by whichE. coli was transformed to TBTCl resistance. Of the three clones, the shortest fragment fromHindIII-library was analyzed. This fragment was 1.8 kb long and contained one complete open reading frame. The predicted amino acid sequence of this open reading frame had a homologous domain to transglycosylases of bacteriophage andE. coli. TBTCl-tolerant marine bacteria other thanAlteromonas sp. M-1 were obtained from natural seawater to which TBTCl was added. DNA-DNA hybridization was performed between the three cloned fragments fromAlteromonas sp. M-1 and chromosomal DNA of the TBTCl-tolerant bacteria. Some strains hybridized with the fragments and some did not, suggesting that several genes are responsible for TBTCl tolerance.     

An assessment of the early stages of microfouling and corrosion of 70:30 copper nickel alloy in the presence of two marine bacteria

The early stages of bacterial settlement on 70:30 copper nickel alloy was followed by scanning electron microsocopy. Two strains of marine bacteria (Pseudomonas sp and Vibrio alginolyticus) isolated from polluted harbour sea water were used. The corrosion behaviour of the alloy was studied through corrosion potential measurements made in sterile and contaminated sea water. According to our results microbial colonisation of the metal surface occurs within the first 24 h for the two bacteria used. Well defined microbial colonies with localised corrosion underneath were seen by SEM after short periods of exposure. Corrosion attack seems to be closely related to passive film modification by the bacterial settlement.     

The use of direct-fed microbials for mitigation of ruminant methane emissions: a review

Concerns about the environmental effect and the economic burden of methane (CH₄) emissions from ruminants are driving the search for ways to mitigate rumen methanogenesis. The use of direct-fed microbials (DFM) is one possible option to decrease CH₄ emission from ruminants. Direct-fed microbials are already used in ruminants mainly to increase productivity and to improve health, and are readily accepted by producers and consumers alike. However, studies on the use of DFM as rumen CH₄ mitigants are scarce. A few studies using Saccharomyces cerevisiae have shown a CH₄-decreasing effect but, to date, there has not been a systematic exploration of DFM as modulators of rumen methanogenesis. In this review, we explored biochemical pathways competing with methanogenesis that, potentially, could be modulated by the use of DFM. Pathways involving the redirection of H₂ away from methanogenesis and pathways producing less H₂ during feed fermentation are the preferred options. Propionate formation is an example of the latter option that in addition to decrease CH₄ formation increases the retention of energy from the diet. Homoacetogenesis is a pathway using H₂ to produce acetate, however up to now no acetogen has been shown to efficiently compete with methanogens in the rumen. Nitrate and sulphate reduction are pathways competing with methanogenesis, but the availability of these substances in the rumen is limited. Although there were studies using nitrate and sulphate as chemical additives, use of DFM for improving these processes and decrease the accumulation of toxic metabolites needs to be explored more. There are some other pathways such as methanotrophy and capnophily or modes of action such as inhibition of methanogens that theoretically could be provided by DFM and affect methanogenesis. We conclude that DFM is a promising alternative for rumen methane mitigation that should be further explored for their practical usage.     

Biosurfactant production and growth kinetics of bacteria in a designer marine medium: improved physiochemical properties

A combinatorial screening strategy was adopted for the development of a suitable medium for enhanced biosurfactant production by a marine strain. As a result, a modified marine medium (MMM) was developed, which contained urea and strontium chloride besides other salts important for the growth of marine bacteria. This medium supported growth, evident from a higher maximum growth rate value of 0.42 h(-1) and an enhanced biosurfactant production of 2.58 g/L. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) was determined for the biosurfactants obtained from all tested media combinations. The biosurfactant produced with this medium was stable at high temperature (100 °C), a wide range of pH (5-11) and salt concentration of 5-35%. The emulsifying activity and stability of the biosurfactant obtained using MMM was better than the biosurfactant obtained using conventional media. This biosurfactant with improved physiochemical properties is suitable for a wide range of applications in industry and for marine environmental cleaning.     

Genomic properties of Marine Group A bacteria indicate a role in the marine sulfur cycle

Marine Group A (MGA) is a deeply branching and uncultivated phylum of bacteria. Although their functional roles remain elusive, MGA subgroups are particularly abundant and diverse in oxygen minimum zones and permanent or seasonally stratified anoxic basins, suggesting metabolic adaptation to oxygen-deficiency. Here, we expand a previous survey of MGA diversity in O₂-deficient waters of the Northeast subarctic Pacific Ocean (NESAP) to include Saanich Inlet (SI), an anoxic fjord with seasonal O₂ gradients and periodic sulfide accumulation. Phylogenetic analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene clone libraries recovered five previously described MGA subgroups and defined three novel subgroups (SHBH1141, SHBH391, and SHAN400) in SI. To discern the functional properties of MGA residing along gradients of O₂ in the NESAP and SI, we identified and sequenced to completion 14 fosmids harboring MGA-associated 16S RNA genes from a collection of 46 fosmid libraries sourced from NESAP and SI waters. Comparative analysis of these fosmids, in addition to four publicly available MGA-associated large-insert DNA fragments from Hawaii Ocean Time-series and Monterey Bay, revealed widespread genomic differentiation proximal to the ribosomal RNA operon that did not consistently reflect subgroup partitioning patterns observed in 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. Predicted protein-coding genes associated with adaptation to O₂-deficiency and sulfur-based energy metabolism were detected on multiple fosmids, including polysulfide reductase (psrABC), implicated in dissimilatory polysulfide reduction to hydrogen sulfide and dissimilatory sulfur oxidation. These results posit a potential role for specific MGA subgroups in the marine sulfur cycle.     

The effect of a propionic acid bacterial inoculant applied at ensiling on the aerobic stability of wheat and sorghum silages

The effect of a new strain ofPropionibacterium shermanii (PAB), applied at ensiling, on the aerobic stability of wheat and sorghum silages was studied in several experiments under laboratory conditions. In the one experiment with wheat and in those with sorghum a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant (Lactobacillus plantarum andPediococcus cerevisiae) was also included. After treatment, the chopped forages were ensiled in 1.5-L anaerobic jars which were sampled in triplicate on predetermined dates to follow fermentation dynamics. At the end of the experiments, the silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test. The PAB inoculant improved the aerobic stability only in one experiment with wheat, in which the decrease in pH was very slow; the final pH remained relatively high (4.5). The PAB-treated silages contained 19.5±2.0 g of propionic acid per kg of dry matter. In the experiments with sorghum, the control and PAB-inoculated silages were stable, whereas LAB-inoculated silages deteriorated. The results suggest that PAB can survive in and improve the aerobic stability of only slow-fermenting silages which are prone to aerobic deterioration.     

CH4 emission from a hollow-ridge complex in a raised bog: The role of CH4 production and oxidation

The aim of this study was to correlate magnitude andcontrols of CH₄ fluxes with the microtopographyand the vegetation in a hollow-ridge complex of araised bog. High CH₄ emission rates were measuredfrom hollows and mud-bottom hollows, while hummocksconsumed atmospheric CH₄ at a low rate. Thehighest emissions were measured from plots with Eriophorum vaginatum and Scheuchzeriapalustris. CH₄ emission ceased after Scheuchzeria had been clipped below the water table,indicating the importance of this aerenchymatic plantas a conduit for CH₄.Peat in the upper catotelm of hollows was younger andless decomposed than in hummocks. Potential CH₄production in vitro was higher and themethanogenic association was better adapted to highertemperatures in hollow than in hummock peat. Highertemperatures in hollows resulted in a strongerCH₄ source in hollows than in hummocks. Negativefluxes from hummocks indicated that even in wetlandsmethanotrophic bacteria exist that are able to oxidizeCH₄ at atmospheric mixing ratios, and thatoxidation controls CH₄ emission completely. TheCH₄ mixing ratio was low in the acrotelm, but itincreased within the catotelm. Comparing fluxesmeasured in static chambers with fluxes calculatedfrom the porewater CH₄ profiles it was deducedthat the zone of methane oxidation was located closeto the water table.In hollows, CH₄ production at in situtemperature was far higher than emission into theatmosphere, corresponding to an oxidation rate ofnearly 99%. The CH₄ flux between the catotelmand the acrotelm of hollows was also higher than theemission, indicating the importance of CH₄oxidation in the aerobic acrotelm, too. CH₄microprofiles showed that CH₄ oxidation inmud-bottom hollows was confined to the topmost 2 mm,and that in Sphagnum-covered hollows CH₄oxidation occurred at the lower edge of green Sphagnum-parts.     

The contribution of marine aggregate‐associated bacteria to the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria in oysters: an agent‐based model

Bivalves process large volumes of water, leading to their accumulation of bacteria, including potential human pathogens (e.g., vibrios). These bacteria are captured at low efficiencies when freely suspended in the water column, but they also attach to marine aggregates, which are captured with near 100% efficiency. For this reason, and because they are often enriched with heterotrophic bacteria, marine aggregates have been hypothesized to function as important transporters of bacteria into bivalves. The relative contribution of aggregates and unattached bacteria to the accumulation of these cells, however, is unknown. We developed an agent‐based model to simulate accumulation of vibrio‐type bacteria in oysters. Simulations were conducted over a realistic range of concentrations of bacteria and aggregates and incorporated the dependence of pseudofeces production on particulate matter. The model shows that the contribution of aggregate‐attached bacteria depends strongly on the unattached bacteria, which form the colonization pool for aggregates and are directly captured by the simulated oysters. The concentration of aggregates is also important, but its effect depends on the concentration of unattached bacteria. At high bacterial concentrations, aggregates contribute the majority of bacteria in the oysters. At low concentrations of unattached bacteria, aggregates have a neutral or even a slightly negative effect on bacterial accumulation. These results provide the first evidence suggesting that the concentration of aggregates could influence uptake of pathogenic bacteria in bivalves and show that the tendency of a bacterial species to remain attached to aggregates is a key factor for understanding species‐specific accumulation.     

Divergence with gene flow in a population of thermophilic bacteria: a potential role for spatially varying selection

A fundamental goal of evolutionary biology is to understand how ecological diversity arises and is maintained in natural populations. We have investigated the contributions of gene flow and divergent selection to the distribution of genetic variation in an ecologically differentiated population of a thermophilic cyanobacterium (Mastigocladus laminosus) found along the temperature gradient of a nitrogen‐limited stream in Yellowstone National Park. For most loci sampled, gene flow appears to be sufficient to prevent substantial genetic divergence. However, one locus (rfbC) exhibited a comparatively low migration rate as well as other signatures expected for a gene experiencing spatially varying selection, including an excess of common variants, an elevated level of polymorphism and extreme genetic differentiation along the gradient. rfbC is part of an expression island involved in the production of the polysaccharide component of the protective envelope of the heterocyst, the specialized nitrogen‐fixing cell of these bacteria. SNP genotyping in the vicinity of rfbC revealed a ~5‐kbp region including a gene content polymorphism that is tightly associated with environmental temperature and therefore likely contains the target of selection. Two genes have been deleted both in the predominant haplotype found in the downstream region of White Creek and in strains from other Yellowstone populations of M. laminosus, which may result in the production of heterocysts with different envelope properties. This study implicates spatially varying selection in the maintenance of variation related to thermal performance at White Creek despite on‐going or recent gene flow.