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Methane- and dissolved organic carbon-fueled microbial loop supports a tropical subterranean estuary ecosystem

Author

Listed:
  • D. Brankovits

    (Texas A&M University at Galveston)

  • J. W. Pohlman

    (Texas A&M University at Galveston
    Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center)

  • H. Niemann

    (University of Basel
    NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
    Centre for Arctic Gas Hydrate (CAGE))

  • M. B. Leigh

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • M. C. Leewis

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks
    GMEG Science Center)

  • K. W. Becker

    (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

  • T. M. Iliffe

    (Texas A&M University at Galveston)

  • F. Alvarez

    (Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM))

  • M. F. Lehmann

    (University of Basel)

  • B. Phillips

    (Speleotech)

Abstract

Subterranean estuaries extend inland into density-stratified coastal carbonate aquifers containing a surprising diversity of endemic animals (mostly crustaceans) within a highly oligotrophic habitat. How complex ecosystems (termed anchialine) thrive in this globally distributed, cryptic environment is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that a microbial loop shuttles methane and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to higher trophic levels of the anchialine food web in the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico). Methane and DOC production and consumption within the coastal groundwater correspond with a microbial community capable of methanotrophy, heterotrophy, and chemoautotrophy, based on characterization by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and respiratory quinone composition. Fatty acid and bulk stable carbon isotope values of cave-adapted shrimp suggest that carbon from methanotrophic bacteria comprises 21% of their diet, on average. These findings reveal a heretofore unrecognized subterranean methane sink and contribute to our understanding of the carbon cycle and ecosystem function of karst subterranean estuaries.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Brankovits & J. W. Pohlman & H. Niemann & M. B. Leigh & M. C. Leewis & K. W. Becker & T. M. Iliffe & F. Alvarez & M. F. Lehmann & B. Phillips, 2017. "Methane- and dissolved organic carbon-fueled microbial loop supports a tropical subterranean estuary ecosystem," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-01776-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01776-x
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