Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3006
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3006
02 Oct 2024
 | 02 Oct 2024

Hydrothermal inputs drive dynamic shifts in microbial communities in Lake Magadi, Kenya Rift Valley

Evan R. Collins, Troy M. Ferland, Isla S. CastaƱeda, R. Bernhart Owen, Tim K. Lowenstein, Andrew S. Cohen, Robin W. Renaut, Molly D. O'Beirne, and Josef P. Werne

Abstract. The Methane Index (MI) is an organic geochemical index that uses isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) as a proxy for methane cycling. Here, we report results from core spanning > 700 ka in Lake Magadi, Kenya, which shows abrupt shifts between high and low MI values in the core. These shifts coincide with interbedded tuffaceous silt. Where tuffaceous silts are present, MI “switches off” (MI < 0.2); in contrast, where these silts are absent in the core, the MI increases (MI > 0.5). Bulk organic matter is enriched in 13C in Magadi during “MI-off” periods, with values of ~ −18 ‰ in the upper part of the core and −22 to −25 ‰ in the lower portion. Evidence from n-alkanes and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) support previous interpretations of an arid environment with a shallower lake where Thermoproteotal (formerly Crenarchaeota) archaea thrive in a hot spring rich environment over Euryarchaeota. Sediments deposited when the MI switches “on” showed δ13COM values as low as −89.4 ‰, but most were within the range of −28 to −30 ‰, which is consistent with contributions from methanogens rather than methanotrophs. Thus, the likely source of these high MI values in Lake Magadi is methanogenic archaea. Our results show that hydrothermal inputs of bicarbonate-rich waters into Lake Magadi cause a shift in the dominant archaeal communities, alternating between two stable states.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

14 Aug 2025
Hot-spring inputs and climate drive dynamic shifts in archaeal communities in Lake Magadi, Kenya Rift Valley
Evan R. Collins, Troy M. Ferland, Isla S. CastaƱeda, R. Bernhart Owen, Tim K. Lowenstein, Andrew S. Cohen, Robin W. Renaut, Molly D. O'Beirne, and Josef P. Werne
Biogeosciences, 22, 3931–3948, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3931-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3931-2025, 2025
Short summary
Evan R. Collins, Troy M. Ferland, Isla S. CastaƱeda, R. Bernhart Owen, Tim K. Lowenstein, Andrew S. Cohen, Robin W. Renaut, Molly D. O'Beirne, and Josef P. Werne

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3006', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 Oct 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Evan Collins, 27 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Review egusphere-2024-3006', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Nov 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Evan Collins, 27 Jan 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3006', Anonymous Referee #1, 23 Oct 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Evan Collins, 27 Jan 2025
  • RC2: 'Review egusphere-2024-3006', Anonymous Referee #2, 05 Nov 2024
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Evan Collins, 27 Jan 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (11 Feb 2025) by Sebastian Naeher
AR by Evan Collins on behalf of the Authors (14 Mar 2025)  Author's response 
EF by Katja GƤnger (20 Mar 2025)  Supplement 
EF by Katja GƤnger (20 Mar 2025)  Manuscript 
EF by Katja GƤnger (20 Mar 2025)  Author's tracked changes 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (24 Mar 2025) by Sebastian Naeher
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (03 Apr 2025)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (03 Apr 2025)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (07 Apr 2025) by Sebastian Naeher
AR by Evan Collins on behalf of the Authors (22 Apr 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to technical corrections (22 Apr 2025) by Sebastian Naeher
AR by Evan Collins on behalf of the Authors (05 May 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

14 Aug 2025
Hot-spring inputs and climate drive dynamic shifts in archaeal communities in Lake Magadi, Kenya Rift Valley
Evan R. Collins, Troy M. Ferland, Isla S. CastaƱeda, R. Bernhart Owen, Tim K. Lowenstein, Andrew S. Cohen, Robin W. Renaut, Molly D. O'Beirne, and Josef P. Werne
Biogeosciences, 22, 3931–3948, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3931-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-3931-2025, 2025
Short summary
Evan R. Collins, Troy M. Ferland, Isla S. CastaƱeda, R. Bernhart Owen, Tim K. Lowenstein, Andrew S. Cohen, Robin W. Renaut, Molly D. O'Beirne, and Josef P. Werne
Evan R. Collins, Troy M. Ferland, Isla S. CastaƱeda, R. Bernhart Owen, Tim K. Lowenstein, Andrew S. Cohen, Robin W. Renaut, Molly D. O'Beirne, and Josef P. Werne

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Short summary
Archaeal molecular fossils (tetraethers) have been used around the globe to track changes in climate. Little is known about archaeal response to environmental change in soda lakes, especially lakes influenced by hydrothermal inputs. For the first time in Lake Magadi, we show tetraethers tracking abrupt changes in methane and non-methane producers due to hydrothermal inputs to the lake. This study provides insight into the role of hydrothermal water sources and methane production in soda lakes. 
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