Detect the presence of viable cyanobacteria in the deep subsoil of Río Tinto
Detect the presence of viable cyanobacteria in the deep subsoil of Río Tinto
Detect the presence of viable cyanobacteria in the deep subsoil of Río Tinto
Cyanobacteria are very versatile photosynthetic microorganisms that inhabit most environments, from marine systems to extremely arid deserts. Until now, its ecological range seemed to be restricted to environments with at least occasional sunlight. A new study, led by researchers from the Center for Astrobiology (CAB) and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), has detected the presence of cyanobacteria in samples of deep rock from the Iberian Pyrite Belt (area in the that the Tinto River is born, in the province of Huelva, Spain).
In the study, carried out within the framework of the Advanced Grant projects of the European Research Council (ERC) and Spanish RETOS-MINECO, molecular, microscopic and metagenomic evidences of the predominance of cyanobacteria in the Rio Tinto subsoil are presented. The samples analyzed were obtained by carrying out two drilling in the IPBSL project (Iberian Pyrite Belt Subsurface Life, underground life in the Iberian Pyrite Belt-FPI). This project, carried out by the CAB between 2010 and 2015, aimed to characterize the geomicrobiology of the deep ecosystems of the FPI.
During the drilling, the extracted core samples were analyzed with the SOLID-LDChip system, a biochip detector of signs of life that is currently developed in the CAB for planetary exploration. The researchers detected from the first moment immunological signs of the presence of cyanobacteria. The initial result of the analyzes was later confirmed by other techniques, such as the sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene extracted from the rocks analyzed and the visualization of the cyanobacteria by means of microscopy with specific fluorescent probes.
Drilling area of the IPBSL project. (Photo: © CAB)
Subsequently, the sequencing of two metagenomes (a set of genes from an environmental sample) at different depths, 420 and 607 meters, has allowed researchers to definitely confirm the presence of cyanobacteria. The analysis of the large number of genes of cyanobacteria found has allowed to elucidate its potential to use hydrogen as an energy source. These cyanobacteria seem to take advantage of a natural "safety valve", which on the surface serves to protect them from excess light. This system diverts the excess energy to the outside of the cell, transferring electrons to substances such as oxidized metals or organic matter. Paradoxically, the same system would be activated in the conditions of darkness and anoxia present in the deep subsoil, allowing them to obtain energy independently of light.
The results of the study suggest that cyanobacteria can play a very important role as primary producers within the deep biosphere of the Earth. In addition, this ecological niche, hitherto unknown, reveals the great versatility of cyanobacteria, one of the oldest microorganisms on our planet; and allows to propose new models about its origin and evolution, as well as the presence of similar organisms in current or primitive biospheres in other planets or moons. (Source: CAB)
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