Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1356
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1356
29 May 2024
 | 29 May 2024

The energy-efficient reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle drives carbon uptake and transfer to higher trophic levels within the Kueishantao shallow-water hydrothermal system

Joely Marie Maak, Yu-Shih Lin, Enno Schefuß, Rebecca F. Aepfler, Li-Lian Liu, Marcus Elvert, and Solveig I. Bühring

Abstract. Chemoautotrophic Campylobacteria utilize the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle for carbon uptake, a metabolic pathway that is more energy efficient and discriminates less against 13C than the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle. Similar to other hydrothermal systems worldwide, Campylobacteria dominate the microbial community of the shallow-water hydrothermal system off Kueishantao (Taiwan). Compound-specific carbon stable isotope analyses of lipid-derived fatty acids were performed to understand the importance of rTCA and the transfer of fixed carbon to higher trophic levels in the vent area. Of these, C16:1ω7c, C18:1ω7c, and C18:1ω9 fatty acids were strongly enriched in 13C, indicating the activity of rTCA utilizing Campylobacteria. Isotopic fractionation was close to 0 ‰, likely caused by pH values as low as 2.88. Characteristic fatty acids were present not only in the vent fluids but also in adjacent sediments and water filters 20 m away from the vent orifice, even though with decreasing abundance and diluted 13C enrichment. Furthermore, δ13C analysis of fatty acids from the tissue of Xenograpsus testudinatus, a crab endemic to this particular vent system, identified the trophic transfer of chemosynthetically fixed carbon. This highlights the interrelationship between chemoautotrophic microbial activity and life opportunities of higher organisms under environmentally harsh conditions at shallow-water hydrothermal systems.

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Joely Marie Maak, Yu-Shih Lin, Enno Schefuß, Rebecca F. Aepfler, Li-Lian Liu, Marcus Elvert, and Solveig I. Bühring

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1356', Anonymous Referee #1, 11 Oct 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Joely Maak, 29 Nov 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-1356', Anonymous Referee #2, 15 Nov 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Joely Maak, 29 Nov 2024
Joely Marie Maak, Yu-Shih Lin, Enno Schefuß, Rebecca F. Aepfler, Li-Lian Liu, Marcus Elvert, and Solveig I. Bühring
Joely Marie Maak, Yu-Shih Lin, Enno Schefuß, Rebecca F. Aepfler, Li-Lian Liu, Marcus Elvert, and Solveig I. Bühring

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Short summary
In acidic hot springs off Kueishantao, Campylobacteria fix CO2 by using the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle (rTCA), causing them to have an isotopically heavier biomass. Here, we showcase extremely low isotopic fractionation (of almost 0 ‰,) which has never been reported in environmental samples. Moreover, the crab Xenograpsus testudinatus relies up to 34 % on Campylobacterial biomass, showcasing the dependency of complex life on microscopic bacteria in harsh environments.