Article
Environmental Sciences
Abraham Guerrero, Alexei F. Licea, M. L. Lizarraga-Partida
Summary: The community structure of bacterial populations in selected water masses and sediment samples from the Southern Gulf of Mexico was studied using 16S rRNA sequencing. The results revealed significant differences in bacterial community composition between water masses and sediment samples.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Xiyang Dong, Haoyu Lan, Liangtian Huang, Haikun Zhang, Xianbiao Lin, Shengze Weng, Yongyi Peng, Jia Lin, Jiang-hai Wang, Juan Peng, Ying Yang
Summary: This study assessed the microbial communities in surface sediments from 16 coral reef sites at different depths in the Xisha islands using gene- and genome-centric metagenomics. The results revealed the diversity and functional potential of the microbial communities, as well as the presence of antibiotic resistance genes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the microbial ecology in reef sediments.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Chieh-Wei Hsu, Yann Marcon, Miriam Roemer, Thomas Pape, Ingo Klaucke, Markus Loher, Paul Wintersteller, Ian R. MacDonald, Christian dos Santos Ferreira, Gerhard Bohrmann
Summary: Mictlan Knoll in the southern Gulf of Mexico is characterized by extensive asphalt deposits, with a crater-like depression surrounded by an elevated rim. The area shows fresh asphalt deposits and high backscatter, indicating recent extrusion. Gas bubble emissions were detected and gas volume quantifications revealed significant methane emissions at the site.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carrie O'Reilly, Mauricio Silva, Samira Daneshgar Asl, William P. Meurer, Ian R. MacDonald
Summary: This study used synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging data to analyze hydrocarbon seepage in the Gulf of Mexico. The results showed that hydrocarbon seep zones were mainly concentrated in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with an average recurrence rate of 11% and an average instantaneous flux of 9.8 mL/s. The study also found that production activities in the Gulf of Mexico have minimal impact on natural seepage.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Youzhi Xin, Nengyou Wu, Zhilei Sun, Hongmei Wang, Ye Chen, Cuiling Xu, Wei Geng, Hong Cao, Xilin Zhang, Bin Zhai, Dawei Yan
Summary: This study analyzed the composition and distribution of bacteria and archaea in cold seep communities with different methane seepage intensity. The results showed that methane seepage intensity had an impact on microbial communities, and also suggested potential interactions between cold seepage and hydrothermal vent ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miao Wu, Ming Zhang, Wei Ding, Lin Lan, Zhilin Liu, Lingzhan Miao, Jun Hou
Summary: This study found that wind-wave disturbance has little impact on the total carbon metabolism of sediment microbial communities, but significantly affects the microbial utilization ability of specific carbon sources. Certain carbon sources such as amines and carboxylic acids are greatly affected, while resuspension events do not alter the overall carbon metabolism function.
Article
Ecology
N. V. Patin, Z. A. Dietrich, A. Stancil, M. Quinan, J. S. Beckler, E. R. Hall, J. Culter, C. G. Smith, M. Taillefert, F. J. Stewart
Summary: Exploration of oxygen-depleted marine environments has led to the discovery of novel microbial taxa and metabolic capabilities, expanding our understanding of microbial evolution and ecology. The study of Amberjack Hole on the Florida continental shelf revealed stable microbial communities with extensive biochemical capabilities for sulfur and nitrogen cycling. Overall, the blue hole habitat provides a natural marine laboratory for sampling taxa with potentially important roles in redox-stratified microbial processes.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Saif Uddin, Scott W. Fowler, Talat Saeed, Barry Jupp, Mohd Faizuddin
Summary: This review provides an overview of the spatial and temporal distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine sediments of the Gulf region, highlighting the variability in concentrations and the majority of contamination sites being near oil facilities and ports.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose A. Corcho-Alvarado, Misael Diaz-Asencio, Stefan Rollin, Juan Carlos Herguera
Summary: New data on plutonium isotopes from deep-sea sediment cores in the southern Gulf of Mexico reveal the influence of global fallout and nuclear testing in Nevada on the activity concentrations and inventories. The study shows that only a small fraction of global fallout plutonium reaches deep-sea sediments, while the Nevada testing site is an important source. The findings highlight the need for further research on the application of plutonium isotopes in establishing sediment chronologies in deep-sea sediments.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Derek G. Tollette, Behzad Mortazavi, Corianne Tatariw, Nikaela Flournoy, Patricia A. Sobecky
Summary: Coastal marshes play a crucial role in removing excess nitrogen from coastal waters. This study investigates the impact of water accommodated fraction (WAF) of oil on nitrogen cycling capacity in marsh sediments. The results show that oil contamination alters the microbial community structure and affects nitrogen cycling processes in salt marsh sediments.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gordon Webster, Barry A. Cragg, Joachim Rinna, Andrew J. Watkins, Henrik Sass, Andrew J. Weightman, R. John Parkes
Summary: This study analyzed the microbial diversity, geochemistry, and methanogenic activity of mud volcanoes in the Gulf of Cadiz. The results showed variable prokaryotic populations and activities, influenced by the geochemical heterogeneity of the sediments. Methane production from methyl compounds was higher than from other substrates, and only methylotrophic methanogenesis was observed in all the analyzed mud volcanoes. Further research is needed to determine the full contribution of these mud volcanoes to the global methane and carbon cycles.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ming Xu, Xing-hao Huang, Xiao-xiao Shen, Hao-qiang Chen, Chao Li, Guang-qiu Jin, Jia-shun Cao, Zhao-xia Xue
Summary: The distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in aquaculture sediments shows clear spatiotemporal differences, with higher absolute abundance of ARGs in winter and in rivers of the aquaculture farm. Proteobacteria is the dominant phylum in sediment samples. Dechloromonas, Candidatus Accumulibacter, Smithella, Geobacter, and Anaeromyxobacter belonging to Proteobacteria are positively correlated with ARGs.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bingkui Song, Zhihao Li, Si Li, Zhongzhen Zhang, Qitong Fu, Shijie Wang, Liang Li, Shuting Qi
Summary: Microorganisms can degrade petroleum hydrocarbons effectively with low cost and minimal side effects towards ecosystems. Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analyses revealed the presence of diverse genes related to petroleum hydrocarbon metabolism and the synergistic transcription of genes in different pathways. The co-regulation of various metabolic pathways in exploiting nutrients derived from petroleum hydrocarbon metabolism is of great importance.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Julieta Rodriguez-Salazar, Antonio Loza, Katya Ornelas-Ocampo, Rosa Maria Gutierrez-Rios, Liliana Pardo-Lopez
Summary: The Gulf of Mexico Research Consortium is a consortium of scientific research and consulting services specializing in multidisciplinary projects related to the potential environmental impacts of oil spills in marine ecosystems. It comprises more than 300 specialized researchers trained at the most recognized Mexican institutions and is focused on developing a baseline of bacterial communities in the Gulf of Mexico and investigating the natural degradation of hydrocarbons.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gerardo Gold-Bouchot, Flor Arcega-Cabrera, Victor Ceja-Moreno
Summary: Oil extraction and transport activities in the Gulf of Mexico are increasing the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and exerting environmental pressure on the ecosystem. This study analyzed PAH levels in the Perdido Fold Belt area from May 2016 to September 2017 and found that the highest concentrations were recorded during the September 2017 cruise. The spatial distribution of PAHs showed higher values in the southern and northeastern areas, with riverine inputs playing a significant role.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristin M. Yoshimura, Svetoslava Todorova, Jennifer F. Biddle
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Daniel J. Wieczynski, Kristin M. Yoshimura, Elizabeth R. Denison, Stefan Geisen, Jennifer M. DeBruyn, A. Jonathan Shaw, David J. Weston, Dale A. Pelletier, Steven W. Wilhelm, Jean P. Gibert
Summary: We provide a roadmap for understanding the impact of viral infections within microbial food webs on ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling in the context of global warming. Microorganisms play a crucial role in carbon and nutrient cycles and act as a link between ecosystems and climate. However, viral infections within complex microbial food webs pose a significant challenge in predicting and understanding ecosystem responses to warming. We highlight the need for further research on virus-microbe-temperature interactions and their effects on ecosystem functioning in the face of climate change.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
J. E. Hudson, D. F. Levia, K. M. Yoshimura, N. R. Gottel, S. A. Hudson, J. F. Biddle
Summary: Bacteria inhabiting bark surfaces are not well understood compared to those inhabiting leaves. Based on a preliminary pilot study, it has been suggested that microbial populations vary across tree bark surfaces and may be influenced by surrounding land use. Preliminary findings also indicate that water flow along the bark surface (stemflow) actively transports bacterial communities across a tree. These initial results underscore the need for further research to determine if there are connections between the biodiversity of microbial populations inhabiting bark surfaces, land use, and hydrology.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kristin M. Yoshimura, Joanna York, Jennifer F. Biddle
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2018)