Bacterial Diversity at Anthropogenic Sulfide Seeps in Commencement Bay, WA
Presentation Abstract
We have observed filamentous bacteria on the surface of sediments and other substrates (e.g., rocks, crabs) in nearshore areas of Commencement Bay, WA. These areas have been found to have high amounts of wood debris (from former sawmills) buried in the sediments, and decomposition by sulfate-reducing bacteria has created a very high sulfide environment (> 1 mM) in sediment porewater and where streams of water are seeping from intertidal sediments at low tide. The objective of this study was to use microscopy (SEM, FISH) and genetic methods (cloning and sequencing, next generation sequencing) to compare the diversity, distribution, and abundance of bacteria on these different substrates. There were significant differences in the types of bacteria and their relative abundances between sand, rocks and crabs. Sulfide-oxidizing bacteria were the most common members of the microbial communities, and they were closely related to those found on deep sea hydrothermal vents. These microbial communities are amenable to detailed experimental study, which will provide insight into ecological relationships of microbes in high sulfide environments.
Session Title
General species and food webs
Conference Track
Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Poster
Genre/Form
presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Subsurface bacteria--Environmental aspects--Washington (State)--Commencement Bay; Marine debris--Microbiology--Washington (State)--Commencement Bay
Geographic Coverage
Commencement Bay (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Bacterial Diversity at Anthropogenic Sulfide Seeps in Commencement Bay, WA
2016SSEC
We have observed filamentous bacteria on the surface of sediments and other substrates (e.g., rocks, crabs) in nearshore areas of Commencement Bay, WA. These areas have been found to have high amounts of wood debris (from former sawmills) buried in the sediments, and decomposition by sulfate-reducing bacteria has created a very high sulfide environment (> 1 mM) in sediment porewater and where streams of water are seeping from intertidal sediments at low tide. The objective of this study was to use microscopy (SEM, FISH) and genetic methods (cloning and sequencing, next generation sequencing) to compare the diversity, distribution, and abundance of bacteria on these different substrates. There were significant differences in the types of bacteria and their relative abundances between sand, rocks and crabs. Sulfide-oxidizing bacteria were the most common members of the microbial communities, and they were closely related to those found on deep sea hydrothermal vents. These microbial communities are amenable to detailed experimental study, which will provide insight into ecological relationships of microbes in high sulfide environments.
