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Genome-centric view of carbon processing in thawing permafrost

Author

Listed:
  • Ben J. Woodcroft

    (University of Queensland)

  • Caitlin M. Singleton

    (University of Queensland)

  • Joel A. Boyd

    (University of Queensland)

  • Paul N. Evans

    (University of Queensland)

  • Joanne B. Emerson

    (The Ohio State University
    University of California)

  • Ahmed A. F. Zayed

    (The Ohio State University)

  • Robert D. Hoelzle

    (University of Queensland)

  • Timothy O. Lamberton

    (University of Queensland)

  • Carmody K. McCalley

    (Rochester Institute of Technology)

  • Suzanne B. Hodgkins

    (Florida State University)

  • Rachel M. Wilson

    (Florida State University)

  • Samuel O. Purvine

    (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

  • Carrie D. Nicora

    (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory)

  • Changsheng Li

    (University of New Hampshire)

  • Steve Frolking

    (University of New Hampshire)

  • Jeffrey P. Chanton

    (Florida State University)

  • Patrick M. Crill

    (Stockholm University)

  • Scott R. Saleska

    (University of Arizona)

  • Virginia I. Rich

    (The Ohio State University)

  • Gene W. Tyson

    (University of Queensland)

Abstract

As global temperatures rise, large amounts of carbon sequestered in permafrost are becoming available for microbial degradation. Accurate prediction of carbon gas emissions from thawing permafrost is limited by our understanding of these microbial communities. Here we use metagenomic sequencing of 214 samples from a permafrost thaw gradient to recover 1,529 metagenome-assembled genomes, including many from phyla with poor genomic representation. These genomes reflect the diversity of this complex ecosystem, with genus-level representatives for more than sixty per cent of the community. Meta-omic analysis revealed key populations involved in the degradation of organic matter, including bacteria whose genomes encode a previously undescribed fungal pathway for xylose degradation. Microbial and geochemical data highlight lineages that correlate with the production of greenhouse gases and indicate novel syntrophic relationships. Our findings link changing biogeochemistry to specific microbial lineages involved in carbon processing, and provide key information for predicting the effects of climate change on permafrost systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben J. Woodcroft & Caitlin M. Singleton & Joel A. Boyd & Paul N. Evans & Joanne B. Emerson & Ahmed A. F. Zayed & Robert D. Hoelzle & Timothy O. Lamberton & Carmody K. McCalley & Suzanne B. Hodgkins & , 2018. "Genome-centric view of carbon processing in thawing permafrost," Nature, Nature, vol. 560(7716), pages 49-54, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:560:y:2018:i:7716:d:10.1038_s41586-018-0338-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0338-1
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Juan Pedro Rodríguez-López & Chihua Wu & Tatiana A. Vishnivetskaya & Julian B. Murton & Wenqiang Tang & Chao Ma, 2022. "Permafrost in the Cretaceous supergreenhouse," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Shaoming Gao & David Paez-Espino & Jintian Li & Hongxia Ai & Jieliang Liang & Zhenhao Luo & Jin Zheng & Hao Chen & Wensheng Shu & Linan Huang, 2022. "Patterns and ecological drivers of viral communities in acid mine drainage sediments across Southern China," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Luyao Kang & Yutong Song & Rachel Mackelprang & Dianye Zhang & Shuqi Qin & Leiyi Chen & Linwei Wu & Yunfeng Peng & Yuanhe Yang, 2024. "Metagenomic insights into microbial community structure and metabolism in alpine permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Stefan Dyksma & Michael Pester, 2023. "Oxygen respiration and polysaccharide degradation by a sulfate-reducing acidobacterium," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Lauren F. Messer & David G. Bourne & Steven J. Robbins & Megan Clay & Sara C. Bell & Simon J. McIlroy & Gene W. Tyson, 2024. "A genome-centric view of the role of the Acropora kenti microbiome in coral health and resilience," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Ping Han & Xiufeng Tang & Hanna Koch & Xiyang Dong & Lijun Hou & Danhe Wang & Qian Zhao & Zhe Li & Min Liu & Sebastian Lücker & Guitao Shi, 2024. "Unveiling unique microbial nitrogen cycling and nitrification driver in coastal Antarctica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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