Biofilm function and variability in a hydrothermal ecosystem: insights from environmental genomes

The ability to adapt to variable environmental conditions is key to survival for all organisms, but may be especially crucial to microorganisms in extreme environments such as hydrothermal systems. Streamer biofilm communities (SBCs) made up of thermophilic chemotrophic microorganisms are common in alkaline-chloride geothermal environments worldwide, but the in situ physiochemical growth parameters and requirements of SBCs are largely unknown [1]. Hot springs in Yellowstone National Park's alkaline geyser basins support SBC growth. However, despite the relative geochemical homogeneity of source pools and widespread ecosystem suitability in these regions (as indicated by energetic profiling [2]), SBCs are not ubiquitous in these ecosystems. The ability of hydrothermal systems to support the growth of SBCs, the relationship between these geochemically driven environments and the microbes that live there, and the function of individuals in these communities are aspects that are adressed here by applying environmental genomics. Analysis of 16S rRNA and total membrane lipid extracts have revealed that community composition of SBCs in "Bison Pool" varies as a function of changing environmental conditions along the outflow channel. In addition, a significant crenarchaeal component was discovered in the "Bison Pool" SBCs. In general, the SBC bacterial diversity triples while the archaeal component varies little (from 3 to 2 genera) in a 5-10°C gradient with distance from the source. While these SBCs are low in overall diversity, the majority of the taxa identified represent uncultured groups of Bacteria and Archaea. As a result, the community function of these taxa and their role in the formation of the biofilms is unknown. However, recent genomic analysis from environmental DNA affords insight into the roles of specific organisms within SBCs at "Bison Pool," and integration of these data with an extensive corresponding geochemical dataset may indicate shifting community function with geochemical variability. For example, calculations of energy availability and genomic data indicate a myriad of potential heterotrophic and autotrophic metabolic functions present at "Bison Pool" (genes for all known autotrophic C- fixation pathways, H2, CO, and formate oxidation, cellulose degredation, and Fe and As redox), as well as oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis. These microbial communities and their environments are ideal for coordination of geochemical and genomic data, enabling informed analysis of SBC function and growth criteria. [1] Jahnke, L. et al. (2001) AEM 67, 5179-5189 [2] Meyer-Dombard, D. et al. (2005) Geobiology 3, 211-227