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Geology topics

Ronald S. Oremland

Publications and source records attributed to Ronald S. Oremland.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
USGS2002

Measurement of in situ rates of selenate removal by dissimilatory bacterial reduction in sediments

A radioisotope method for measurement of bacteria respiratory reduction of selenate to elemental selenium in aquatic sediments was devised. Sediments were labeled with [75Se]selenate, incubated, and washed, and 75Se0(s) was determined as counts remaining in the sediments. Core profiles of selenate reduction, sulfate reduction, and denitrification were made simultaneously in the sediments of an agricultural wastewater evaporation pond. Most of the in situ selenate reduction (85%) and all the denitrificatation activities were confined to the upper 4-8 cm of the profile, whereas sulfate reduction was greatest below 8 cm (89% of total). The integrated areal rate of selenate reduction was 301 mol m-2 day-1, which results in a turnover of water column selenate in 82.4 days.

Environmental Science & Technology↗
USGS2002

Leisingera methylohalidivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine methylotroph that grows on methyl bromide

A marine methylotroph, designated strain MB2T, was isolated for its ability to grow on methyl bromide as a sole carbon and energy source. Methyl chloride and methyl iodide also supported growth, as did methionine and glycine betaine. A limited amount of growth was observed with dimethyl sulfide. Growth was also noted with unidentified components of the complex media marine broth 2216, yeast extract and Casamino acids. No growth was observed on methylated amines, methanol, formate, acetate, glucose or a variety of other substrates. Growth on methyl bromide and methyl iodide resulted in their oxidation to CO2 with stoichiometric release of bromide and iodide, respectively. Strain MB2T exhibited growth optima at NaCl and Mg2+ concentrations similar to that of seawater. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence placed this strain in the alpha-Proteobacteria in proximity to the genera Ruegeria and Roseobacter. It is proposed that strain MB2T (= ATCC BAA-92T = DSM 14336T) be designated Leisingera methylohalidivorans gen. nov., sp. nov..

International Journal of Systematic and Evolutiona↗
USGS2002

Distribution, production, and ecophysiology of Picocystis strain ML in Mono Lake, California

A recently described unicellular chlorophytic alga isolated from meromictic Mono Lake, California, occupies a niche that spans two environments: the upper oxic mixolimnion and the deeper anoxic and highly reducing monimolimnion. This organism, Picocystis sp. strain ML, accounts for nearly 25% of the primary production during the winter bloom and more than 50% at other times of the year. In incubations, it is heavily grazed by the brine shrimp, Artemia monica. We assessed growth and photosynthetic parameters over broad ranges of irradiance, salinity, and pH and under oxic and anoxic conditions. Picocystis appears to be particularly adapted to low irradiance; we observed an order of magnitude increase in the cellular pigment concentrations, as well as marked increases in cellspecific photosynthetic parameters for cells acclimated to low-growth irradiance. Growth rates of 0.3–1.5 d21 were observed over a salinity range of 0–260‰ and a pH range of 4–12, with maximal growth at ;50 mmol photons m22 s21 , 40‰, and pH 6–10. Growth and oxygenic photosynthesis were observed under anoxic conditions at rates comparable to those measured under oxic conditions. The ability of the organism to acclimate and grow under such a broad range of environmental conditions makes it an important component of the Mono Lake ecosystem and likely contributes to its dominance of the monimolimnion/mixolimnion interface.

California↗
USGS2000

Diversity of anaerobic halophilic microorganisms

Life in the presence of high salt concentrations is compatible with life in the absence of oxygen. Halophilic and halotolerant anaerobic prokaryotes are found both in the archaeal and in the bacterial domain, and they display a great metabolic diversity. Many of the representatives of the Halobacteriales (Archaea), which are generally considered aerobes, have the potential of anaerobic growth. Some can use alternative electron acceptors such as nitrate, fumarate, dimethylsulfoxide or trimethylamine-N-oxide Halobacterium salinarum can also grow fermentatively on L-arginine, and bacteriorhodopsin-containing cells may even grow anaerobically, energized by light. Obligatory anaerobic halophilic methanogenic Archaea also exist. The bacterial domain contains many anaerobic halophiles, including sulfate reducers. There is also a group of specialized obligatory anaerobic Bacteria, phylogenetically clustering in the low G+C branch of the Firmicutes. Most representatives of this group (order Haloanaerobiales , families Haloanaerobiaceae and Halobacteroidaceae ) are fermentative, using a variety of carbohydrates and amino acids. One species combines the potential for anaerobic growth at high salt concentrations with a preference for high temperatures. Others are homoacetogens; Acetohalobium arabaticum can grow anaerobically as a chemolithotroph, producing acetate from hydrogen and CO 2 . The Haloanaerobiales accumulate high concentrations of K + and Cl - in their cytoplasm, thereby showing a strategy of salt adaptation similar to that used by the Halobacteriales . Recently a new representative of the Haloanaerobiales was isolated from bottom sediments of the Dead Sea (strain DSSe1), which grows anaerobically by oxidation of glycerol to acetate and CO 2 while reducing selenate to selenite and elementary selenium. Other electron acceptors supporting anaerobic growth of this strain are nitrate and trimethylamine- N -oxide. The versatility of life at high salt concentrations with respect to the variety of substrates used, the types of dissimilatory metabolism, and the diversity of potential electron acceptors has important implications for the potential for life in hostile environments lacking oxygen and high in salt, implications that may also be relevant to astrobiology.

Proceedings of SPIE↗
USGS1996

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate as a potential methanogenic substrate in Mono Lake sediments

A high concentration of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) was found in the water column (0.1–1.8 µM particulate plus dissolved) of Mono Lake, CA, an alkaline, hypersaline waterbody. The dense Artemia monica population contained high levels of DMSP (1.7–2.5 mmol.g -1 wet weight), presumably as an osmolyte. Death of these brine shrimp caused accumulation of DMSP along the shoreline of the lake, where concentrations peaked at 7–13 jumol.cm -3 sediment. DMSP was also associated with the phototrophic microbial population in microbial mats close to the shoreline. Chemical hydrolysis of DMSP caused by the high pH value of the water (9.7–10.0) competed with biological consumption. Flux chamber experiments suggested that part of the dimethylsulfide (DMS) generated by hydrolysis escaped to the atmosphere. Vertical profiles of DMSP and DMS in the sediment correlated well. Methane and DMS also had similar distributions. Additional inhibitor studies showed that a major biological sink for DMS(P) is methanogenesis, although monooxygenase-containing bacteria also contributed to its consumption.

Book chapter↗
USGS1996

Microbial cycling of methyl bromide

Environmental concern about brominated halocarbons like methyl bromide (MeBr) is focused on their potential to destroy stratospheric ozone. Photocatalysis of MeBr and other halocarbons in the stratosphere results in the liberation of reactive CI and Br atoms. Because Br atoms are perhaps as much as 100-fold more efficient at attacking ozone than are CI atoms, bromine’s lower abundance is partly compensated for by its higher reactivity.

Book chapter↗
USGS1994

Methanolobus taylorii sp nov, a new methylotropic, estuarine methanogen

Previously published phylogenetic studies of 16S rRNA showed that methylotrophic, slightly halophilic, methanogenic strain GS-16 T (T = type strain) represents a new species of bacterium. We propose the name Methanolobus taylorii for this species; strain GS-16 is the type strain.

International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology↗
USGS1994

Isolation, growth, and metabolism of an obligately anaerobic, selenate- respiring bacterium, strain SES-3

A gram-negative, strictly anaerobic, motile vibrio was isolated from a selenate-respiring enrichment culture. The isolate, designated strain SES-3, grew by coupling the oxidation of lactate to acetate plus CO 2 with the concomitant reduction of selenate to selenite or of nitrate to ammonium. No growth was observed on sulfate or selenite, but cell suspensions readily reduced selenite to elemental selenium (Se 0 ). Hence, SES-3 can carry out a complete reduction of selenate to Se 0 . Washed cell suspensions of selenate-grown cells did not reduce nitrate, and nitrate-grown cells did not reduce selenate, indicating that these reductions are achieved by separate inducible enzyme systems. However, both nitrate-grown and selenate-grown cells have a constitutive ability to reduce selenite or nitrite. The oxidation of [ 14 C]lactate to 14 CO 2 coupled to the reduction of selenate or nitrate by cell suspensions was inhibited by CCCP (carbonyl cyanide m -chlorophenylhydrazone), cyanide, and azide. High concentrations of selenite (5 mM) were readily reduced to Se 0 by selenate-grown cells, but selenite appeared to block the synthesis of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Tracer experiments with [ 75 Se]selenite indicated that cell suspensions could achieve a rapid and quantitative reduction of selenite to Se 0 . This reduction was totally inhibited by sulfite, partially inhibited by selenate or nitrite, but unaffected by sulfate or nitrate. Cell suspensions could reduce thiosulfate, but not sulfite, to sulfide. These results suggest that reduction of selenite to Se 0 may proceed, in part, by some of the components of a dissimilatory system for sulfur oxyanions.

Nevada↗
USGS1993

Aspects of the biogeochemistry of methane in Mono Lake and the Mono Basin of California

Above-ambient levels of methane and higher hydrocarbons were detected in the atmosphere of the Mono Basin. These gases emanated from several different sources, including natural gas seeps (thermogenic and biogenic), and methanogenic activity in sediments. Seeps were distributed over nearly 33% of the lake bottom and were also present in the exposed former lakebed. They originated from one or more natural gas deposits that underlie the basin. Seeps associated with hot springs had a thermogenic character, whereas the others had the characteristics of bacterially formed gases. The radiocarbon content of methane in all seep gases was low (5-11% modern carbon), indicating an age of greater than about 20,000 years. Dissolved methane increased with depth in the sediments, ultimately reaching saturation levels (1-3 mM). The outward diffusive flux of methane into the anoxic bottom waters elevated concentrations to 60 µM during the 1984-1988 meromictic interval. The radiocarbon content of hypolimnion methane was equivalent to that of the dissolved inorganic carbon (~80% modern carbon), indicating derivation from current methanogenic activity. Oxidation by anaerobic bacteria was the major sink for this methane. Methane that escaped oxidation transited to the epilimnion where it attained supersaturation (0.1-3.0 µM) relative to the atmosphere. Measured outward fluxes over a 2-year period were highly variable, ranging from 0.01 to 4.82 mmoles CH 4 m -2 d -1 . Bacterial activity was detected in the sediments of the hypolimnion High rates of sulfate reduction (~200 µmoles L -1 d -1 ) were measured in the upper 5-cm interval but decreased > 10-fold with depth. The highest rate of methanogenic activity was ~1 µmole L -1 d -1 , as measured by reduction of 14 CO 2 . Bacteria metabolized dimethylsulfide, trimethylamine, acetate, and glucose to primarily CO 2 and some CH 4 . Turnovers of glucose (k = 0.16 d -1 ) and trimethylamine (k = 0.09 d -1 ) were highest in the upper 2.5-cm interval and decreased as much as 10-fold with depth. These results confirm that a low rate of methanogenic activity occurs in this extreme environment and is the source of methane to the hypolimnion.

California↗
USGS1992

Importance of methane-oxidizing bacteria in the methane budget as revealed by the use of a specific inhibitor

METHANE is a greenhouse gas whose concentration in the atmosphere is increasing . Much of this methane is derived from the metabolism of methane-generating (methanogenic) bacteria and over the past two decades much has been learned about the ecology of methanogens; specific inhibitors of methanogenesis, such as 2-bromoethanesulphonic acid, have proved useful in this regard . In contrast, although much is known about the biochemistry of methane-oxidizing (methanotrophic) bacteria , ecological investigations have been hampered by the lack of an analogous specific inhibitor . Methanotrophs limit the flux of methane to the atmosphere from sediments and consume atmospheric methane , but the quantitative importance of methanotrophy in the global methane budget is not well known . Methylfluoride (CH 3 F) is known to inhibit oxygen consumption by Methylococcus capsu-latus , and to inhibit the oxidation of 14 CH 4 to 14 CO 2 by endosymbionts in mussel gill tissues . Here we report that methylfluoride (MF) inhibits the oxidation of methane by methane monooxy-genase, and by using methylfluoride in field investigations, we find that methanotrophic bacteria can consume more than 90% of the methane potentially available.

Nature↗
USGS1992

Nitrate is a preferred electron acceptor for growth of freshwater selenate-respiring bacteria

An anaerobic, freshwater enrichment grew with either nitrate or selenate as an electron acceptor. With both ions present, nitrate reduction preceded selenate reduction. An isolate from the enrichment grew on either ion, but the presence of nitrate precluded the reduction of selenate. Stock cultures of denitrifiers grew anaerobically on nitrate but not on selenate.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology↗
USGS1989

Selenate reduction to elemental selenium by anaerobic bacteria in sediments and culture: Biogeochemical significance of a novel, sulfate-independent respiration

Interstitial water profiles of SeO 4 2− , SeO 3 2− , SO 4 2− , and Cl − in anoxic sediments indicated removal of the seleno-oxyanions by a near-surface process unrelated to sulfate reduction. In sediment slurry experiments, a complete reductive removal of SeO 4 2− occurred under anaerobic conditions, was more rapid with H 2 or acetate, and was inhibited by O 2 , NO 3 − , MnO 2 , or autoclaving but not by SO 4 2− or FeOOH. Oxidation of acetate in sediments could be coupled to selenate but not to molybdate. Reduction of selenate to elemental selenium was determined to be the mechanism for loss from solution. Selenate reduction was inhibited by tungstate and chromate but not by molybdate. A small quantity of the elemental selenium precipitated into sediments from solution could be resolublized by oxidation with either nitrate or FeOOH, but not with MnO 2 . A bacterium isolated from estuarine sediments demonstrated selenate-dependent growth on acetate, forming elemental selenium and carbon dioxide as respiratory end products. These results indicate that dissimilatory selenate reduction to elemental selenium is the major sink for selenium oxyanions in anoxic sediments. In addition, they suggest application as a treatment process for removing selenium oxyanions from wastewaters and also offer an explanation for the presence of selenite in oxic waters.

California↗