Microbial carbonate production in a starved basin: The crenistria Limestone of the upper Viséan German Kulm facies

The crenistria Limestone is a set of three autochthonous massive limestone beds occurring with great lithological persistence in the Kulm Facies (cd III , upper Viséan) of the eastern Rheinisches Schiefergebirge. Microfacies analysis reveals mainly minipeloidal fabrics and homogeneous micrite. Uncrushed, sediment-filled conchs of goniatites represent loci of sheltered preservation of primary carbonate textures. Calcified radiolarians are abundant, forming between 20 and 80% of total rock volume. The alleged algal genus Rectangulina is common in the crenistria Limestone. It is reinterpreted to represent the faeces of goniatites. For the first time the presence of in situ preserved sponges is reported. They can be recognized as delicate networks of microsparitic needles embedded in peloidal fabrics. Hexactinellids with primary spicule arrangements can be found embedded in homogeneous micrite. The carbonate forming the limestone beds was produced microbially during decomposition of soft tissue of the radiolarians and sponges. During the cd III , anoxia in the bottom waters of the Kulm Basin persisted for long periods due to stable density stratification of the water column under humid climatic conditions. Oxic conditions in the bottom waters during formation of the limestone are indicated by bioturbation, the presence of sponges and the high Mn-contents of the carbonate. The latter derived from reduction of Mn-oxides during microbial carbonate formation.     

Depolarization-Induced Increase in Surface Binding and Internalization of 125I-Nerve Growth Factor by PC 12 Pheochromocytoma Cells

The binding and internalization of 125I-nerve growth factor (NGF) by PC12 pheochromocytoma cells was studied as a function of extracellular potassium concentration. Both surface-bound and internalized fractions of 125I-NGF associated with the cells under depolarizing conditions (50 mM K+) increased to 144 +/- 28% (average +/- SEM, six different cell preparations) and to 176 +/- 12% (n = 6), respectively, of those observed at 6.0 mM K+. Scatchard-type analysis of the data indicates increased sites for the binding and internalization of iodinated NGF by the cells. Similar enhancement was observed for cells treated with NGF as well. This voltage-dependent phenomenon was reversible, and also observed in the presence of veratridine. Moreover, withdrawal of extracellular Ca2+ abolished high K+-induced modulation of 125I-NGF binding and internalization, indicating that this effect may be mediated by Ca2+.     

Inorganic-carbon uptake by a small-celled strain of Stichococcus bacillaris

Air-grown cells of a marine, small-celled (2 m diameter) strain of Stichococcus bacillaris contained appreciable carbonic-anhydrase activity but this was repressed when cells were grown on air enriched with 5% (v/v) CO₂. Assay of carbonic-anhydrase activity using intact cells and cell extracts showed all activity was intracellular in this Stichococcus strain. Measurement of inorganic-carbon-dependent photosynthetic O₂ evolution at pH 5.0, where CO₂ is the predominant form of inorganic carbon, showed that the concentration of inorganic carbon required for half-maximal rate of photosynthetic O₂ evolution [K_0.5(CO₂)] was 4.0 M for both air- and CO₂-grown cells. At pH 8.3 the K_0.5(CO₂) was 0.3 mM for air-grown and 0.6 mM for CO₂-grown cells. Sodium ions did not enhance bicarbonate utilization. Measurement of the internal inorganic-carbon pool (HCO ₃ ^– +CO₂) by the silicone-oil-layer centrifugal filtering technique showed that air- and CO₂-grown cells were able to concentrate inorganic carbon up to 20-fold in relation to the external medium at pH 5.0 but not at pH 8.3. In this alga the high affinity for CO₂ and inorganic-carbon accumulation in CO₂- and air-grown cells results from active CO₂ transport that is not dependent on carbonic-anhydrase activity.Abbreviation Hepes 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine ethanesulfonic acid     

Early Permian facies and paleogeography of the Southeastern Russian craton

Summary During the Early Permian deep-water basins existed in the southeastern part of the Russian craton. North and west of the Cis-Ural foredeep and the Precaspian depression (micro-ocean) carbonate platforms were formed on a shallow-marine shelf during the Asselian, Sakmarian and Early Artinskian. Reefs developed on the margin of these platforms along the slopes of the Cis-Ural foredeep and the Precaspian depression. The reefs shifted platform ward in the eastern areas, due to the tectonic subsidence of the platform margin and at the same time, prograded basinward in the south. Movements of continental blocks from the south during the Late Artinskian and Kungurian caused the separation of the Early Permian basin of the Russian craton from the Palaeo-Tethys, followed by evaporite sedimentation in the restricted basins. The existence of source rocks (bituminous deep-water sediments), thick reservoir rocks (limestones and dolostones), evaporitic seals and structural as well as stratigraphic traps are responsible for large productive gas and oil fields (e.g., Orenburg field), some of which are distinctly associated with reef carbonates.     

The upper cretaceousLacazina limestone in the Basco-Cantabrian and Iberian basins of northern Spain: Cold-water grain associations in warm-water environments

Summary The Upper Santonian to Lower CampanianLacazina Limestone consists of massive, often amalgamated beds of packstones and grainstones which were deposited in a shallow marine environment. The most abundant skeletal components are miliolid foraminifera, echinoderm, bivalve and bryozoan fragments, peloids and sparse red algae. Small, solitary corals only occur sporadically. Hermatypic corals, sponges and green algae are missing. The series which reaches thicknesses between 60 m and 160 m, was sampled at intervals of 0.5 m at five localities. The petrographic features throughout the series are mainly a product of changing depositional energy. The limestones are well cemented. Diagenesis is characterized by a transition from marine phreatic to burial cementation. Syntaxial and blocky calcite cements predominate over early acicular to bladed and microgranular cements. The faunal association within theLacazina Limestone exhibits features typical for temperate water i.e.foramol carbonates. On the other hand, oxygen (δ¹⁸O =-1.7 to −6.3 ‰ PDB) and carbon (δ¹³C to 3.0‰ PDB) isotope values of diagentically unaltered bivalve shells indicate warm surface waters corresponding better to the palaeogeographical situation of theLacazina Limestone. Nutrient-surplus is proposed as a limiting factor preventing the development of reefs and finally ofchlorozoan sediments. In the sense of sequence stratigraphy, theLacazina Limestone is interpreted to contain transgressive and highstand systems tracts. This interpretation fits well into theHaq-Vail-curve. The series shows no visible high-frequency cyclicity in the field. Several cycles were found by means of principle component analysis and spectral analysis. Their relationships to the Milankovitch spectrum are discussed. The ammonite fauna of the unit and of preceding sediments (late Coniacian to early Campanian) is described and some inoceramids are figured. They permit—for the first time—the exact dating of theLacazina Limestone in the Basco-Cantabrian Basin (BCB) and throw light on a prominent faunal change at the Coniacian/Santonian boundary. The Cenomanian to Coniacian ammonite faunas which were dominated by endemic Tethyan pseudoceratitic faunas are replaced by cosmopolitan species dominated by Madagascan elements. This drastic change permits speculations about the installation of a new oceanic current system in the Santonian.     

Variations in short term products of inorganic carbon fixation in exponential and stationary phase cultures of Aphanocapsa 6308

Aphanocapsa 6308 metabolizes both NaHCO₃ and Na₂CO₃. The short term incorporation (5-s) metabolic pattern and the patterns of incorporation of bicarbonate for exponential versus stationary phase cultures differ, however. Cells were equilibrated for 10 min in air and distilled water prior to injection of either NaH¹⁴CO₃ at pH 8.0, or Na₂ ¹⁴CO₃ at pH 11.0. Hot ethanol extracts were analyzed via paper chromatography and autoradiography for products of CO₂ fixation. At 5 s, malate (51.5%) predominates slightly as a primary bicarbonate fixation product over 3-phosphoglycerate (40.3%); 3-phosphoglycerate is the primary product of carbonate fixation. At 60 s, the carbonate and bicarbonate labelling patterns are similar. Cells in stationary phase fix in 5 s a greater proportion of bicarbonate into malate (36% vs. 14% for 3-phosphoglycerate) than do cells in exponential growth. Likewise, 60 s incorporations show a large amount of bicarbonate fixed into aspartate (30.9%) in stationary phase cells over that of exponential phase (11.6%). These data suggest an operative C₄ pathway for purposes not related to carbohydrate synthesis but rather as compensation for the incomplete tricarboxylic acid cycle in cyanobacteria. The enhancement of both aspartate fixation and CO₂ fixation into citrulline in stationary phase correlates with an increase in cyanophycin granule production which requires both aspartate and arginine.Nonstandard Abbreviations 3-PGA 3-phosphoglyceric acid - TCA tricarboxylic acid     

Mechanosensitive channels of Corynebacterium glutamicum functioning as exporters of l-glutamate and other valuable metabolites

In the industrial l-glutamate production established on the use of Corynebacterium glutamicum, l-glutamate synthesized intracellularly is exported through mechanosensitive transmembrane channel proteins (MscCG and MscCG2) activated by the force-from-lipids. The involvement of MscCG2 in l-glutamate export by C. glutamicum was demonstrated in 2018; however, MscCG was previously found to be the major exporter of l-glutamate. Recent advances in research methods, such as development of the microbial patch clamp, revealed unique characteristics of MscCG, including its conductance, opening and closing thresholds, and gating hysteresis, as well as the significant effect of membrane lipids on the channel properties. In addition, the cryoelectron microscopic structure of Escherichia coli MscS, the canonical representative of the mechanosensitive channel family to which MscCG and MscCG2 belong, revealed its new membrane-interacting region, new position within the lipid bilayer, and hook lipids in a newly defined cavity between subunits. In this short review, the applications of bacterial mechanosensitive channels in the development of effective microbial cell factories, which will contribute to sustainable development, are discussed.     

钢渣组分特征及其用于土壤改良的可行性初步研究

通过测定钢渣的化学组成分析得出其组分特征,进一步通过在有降解碱剂HPMA参与的重（轻）度盐碱土壤及钢渣中栽种不同植物种子（玉米、茄子、水稻和长春花）,观察植物的长势,探究钢渣是否可以用于土壤改良。结果发现钢渣的化学成分与土壤基本相同,但部分成分如CaO、Fe₂O₃、MgO、MnO₂等显著高于土壤,而另外一些组分TiO₂、K₂O、Na₂O、P₂O₅在钢渣中未检测出来。对比重（轻）度盐碱土壤,钢渣与HPMA共同作用时,玉米、茄子、水稻和长春花等发芽率及生长速率明显提高;与常用的蛭石、珍珠岩改良剂对比实验中,不同植物存在类似的发芽率和生长速率,说明钢渣可以作为温室土壤结构改良剂;与钢渣产地丰富的树皮土资源配比形成复方改良剂,发现其具有类似花土（泥炭土）的生长速率和发芽率。初步研究表明,钢渣可以用于盐碱地改良,而且对于设施农业的土壤结构改良具有功效,与当地树皮土资源结合,具有形成复方土壤改良剂的潜力。     

Microbially Mediated Calcium Carbonate Precipitation: Implications for Interpreting Calcite Precipitation and for Solid-Phase Capture of Inorganic Contaminants

Microbial degradation of urea was investigated as a potential geochemical catalyst for Ca carbonate precipitation and associated solid phase capture of common groundwater contaminants (Sr, UO₂, Cu) in laboratory batch experiments. Bacterial degradation of urea increased pH and promoted Ca carbonate precipitation in both bacterial control and contaminant treatments. Associated solid phase capture of Sr was highly effective, capturing 95% of the 1 mM Sr added within 24 h. The results for Sr are consistent with solid solution formation rather than discrete Sr carbonate phase precipitation. In contrast, UO₂ capture was not as effective, reaching only 30% of the initial 1 mM UO₂ added, and also reversible, dropping to 7% by 24 h. These results likely reflect differing sites of incorporation of these two elements-Ca lattice sites for Sr versus crystal defect sites for UO₂. Cu sequestration was poor, resulting from toxicity of the metal to the bacteria, which arrested urea degradation and concomitant Ca carbonate precipitation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a variety of morphologies reminiscent of those observed in the marine stromatolite literature. In bacterial control treatments, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses indicated only calcite; while in the presence of either Sr or UO₂, both calcite and vaterite, a metastable polymorph of Ca carbonate, were identified. Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) indicated differences in surface microtopography among abiotic, bacterial control, and bacterial contaminant systems. These results indicate that Ca carbonate precipitation induced by passive biomineralization processes is highly effective and may provide a useful bioremediation strategy for Ca carbonate-rich aquifers where Sr contamination issues exist.     

Deriving metabolic engineering strategies from genome-scale modeling with flux ratio constraints

Optimized production of bio-based fuels and chemicals from microbial cell factories is a central goal of systems metabolic engineering. To achieve this goal, a new computational method of using flux balance analysis with flux ratios (FBrAtio) was further developed in this research and applied to five case studies to evaluate and design metabolic engineering strategies. The approach was implemented using publicly available genome-scale metabolic flux models. Synthetic pathways were added to these models along with flux ratio constraints by FBrAtio to achieve increased (i) cellulose production from Arabidopsis thaliana; (ii) isobutanol production from Saccharomyces cerevisiae; (iii) acetone production from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803; (iv) H₂ production from Escherichia coli MG1655; and (v) isopropanol, butanol, and ethanol (IBE) production from engineered Clostridium acetobutylicum. The FBrAtio approach was applied to each case to simulate a metabolic engineering strategy already implemented experimentally, and flux ratios were continually adjusted to find (i) the end-limit of increased production using the existing strategy, (ii) new potential strategies to increase production, and (iii) the impact of these metabolic engineering strategies on product yield and culture growth. The FBrAtio approach has the potential to design “fine-tuned” metabolic engineering strategies in silico that can be implemented directly with available genomic tools.