Article
Environmental Sciences
Lory-Anne Baker, Aude Beauger, So fia Kolovi, Olivier Voldoire, Elisabeth Allain, Vincent Breton, Patrick Chardon, Didier Miallier, Celine Bailly, Gilles Montavon, Agnes Bouchez, Frederic Rimet, Cecile Chardon, Valentin Vasselon, Luc Ector, Carlos E. Wetzel, David G. Biron
Summary: Little is known about the low dose effects of radiation on microbial communities in the environment. This study used DNA metabarcoding to investigate the genetic richness, diversity, and structure of diatom communities in 16 mineral springs in the Massif Central, France, and found that geographical location and 238U were the main factors influencing ASVs distribution and diatom ASV structure. The genetic variant of Planothidium frequentissimum associated with high levels of 238U may serve as a bio-indicator of high natural uranium levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fangru Li, Weiguo Hou, Shang Wang, Yidi Zhang, Qing He, Wenhui Zhang, Hailiang Dong
Summary: In this study, the impact of different mineral particles on the diversity and structure of microbial communities in hot springs was investigated. Results showed that the microbial composition on mineral surfaces differed from that in the bulk sediment samples, and certain minerals enriched specific microbial communities and functional groups. The findings provide novel insights into the mechanisms of community assembly and element cycling in terrestrial hydrothermal systems associated with hot springs.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aude Beauger, Olivier Voldoire, Elisabeth Allain, Pierre Gosseaume, Christelle Blavignac, Lory-Anne Baker, Carlos E. E. Wetzel
Summary: This study evaluates the biodiversity of 79 mineral saline springs in the French Massif Central, focusing on species richness and diatom community composition. Physical and chemical factors were found to influence the richness and communities of diatoms, with hardness and certain ions being critical drivers of diatom community composition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Igor Zelnik, Mateja Germ, Aleksandra Golob, Aleksandra Krivograd Klemencic
Summary: The study compared the structure of phytobenthic diatom communities in natural and channelized river sections in Slovenia. The results showed that channelized rivers have more diverse benthic diatom communities, mainly due to the higher number of motile diatom taxa that can thrive in nutrient-rich and less-shaded river sections. Environmental parameters explained 34% of the variability in diatom community structure when taxa were classified into ecological types. The taxon Achnanthidium minutissimum was found to significantly affect the indicative power of the diatom community in evaluating environmental conditions and ecological status.
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
C. Stenger-Kovacs, V. B. Beres, K. Buczko, K. Tapolczai, J. Padisak, G. B. Selmeczy, E. Lengyel
Summary: Both natural and anthropogenic processes can cause an increase in the salinity of surface waters. The knowledge about the ecological consequences of salinization on diatoms, especially in microbiota, is limited. Conductivity and ion composition are important variables shaping diatom communities, and secondary salinization can mask regional differences. Salinization induces the spread of marine and brackish species into freshwaters, as well as the spread of freshwater species tolerating elevated conductivity and specific ions.
Article
Microbiology
Tanmoy Debnath, Sushanta Deb, Subrata K. Das
Summary: This study described the microbial community composition and function in tropical hot springs and their relationship with environmental variables. The metagenomic analysis revealed differences in dominant phyla among hot springs with different temperatures, and identified genes related to various metabolic pathways.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Sandip Mondal, Saibal Ghosh, Arnab Pari, Kollol Bhattacharyya, Amiya Ranjan Bhowmick, Matiyar Rahaman Khan, Abhishek Mukherjee
Summary: This study assessed the variations in soil nematode community composition in different rice growing areas in three agro-ecological zones of Jharkhand, India. The results showed significant differences in taxonomic diversity measures across the agro-ecological zones, with climatic factors having a greater influence on nematode community composition than edaphic factors. Functional diversity measures indicated better soil biological health in the central and north-eastern plateau.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heikki Mykra, Minna Kuoppala, Vesa Nykanen, Katri Tolonen, Jarno Turunen, Annika Vilmi, Satu Maaria Karjalainen
Summary: Research in northern Fennoscandia has shown that mineral deposits and mining activities have a significant impact on water chemistry, diatom, and macroinvertebrate communities in subarctic streams. However, the diversity of communities in areas with high mineral potential was found to be similar to those in areas with low mineral potential. It was also determined that incorporating geochemistry into the reference condition could enhance bioassessments of both taxonomic groups.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Afroditi Grigoropoulou, Astrid Schmidt-Kloiber, Cesc Murria
Summary: This study assesses the contributions of local and regional processes and historical and contemporary factors in establishing macroecological patterns. The results reveal that regional environmental filtering plays a crucial role in limiting species range and shaping the regional species pool. The study also indicates that there are differences in diversity patterns between northern and southern regions, with northern species pools exhibiting phylogenetic clustering and southern ones showing overdispersion.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Greta La Bella, Marta Carboni, Marta Gaia Sperandii, Francesco de Bello, Angela Stanisci, Alicia T. R. Acosta
Summary: Global change pressures call for a better understanding of the mechanisms driving the temporal stability of natural communities. Species richness helps communities withstand environmental fluctuations and stabilise over time. The mechanisms through which richness promotes stability are still debated.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chun Qing, Alan Nicol, Ping Li, Britta Planer-Friedrich, Changguo Yuan, Zhu Kou
Summary: In this study, the similarities and differences in As-S transformation processes were investigated in two Tibetan alkaline hot springs with different total As concentrations and sulfide/As ratios. Microorganisms, such as sulfur-reducing bacteria and arsenate-reducing bacteria, were found to play important roles in these processes. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and arsenite-oxidizing bacteria were responsible for the oxidation of As-bound S, leading to the formation of arsenite and arsenate.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin-Qi Yuan, Zhao-Lai Guo, Si-Chen Wang, Luo-Qi Zhao, Meng-Xiang Yuan, Yu-Han Gao, Lv Huang, Chang-Qun Duan
Summary: This study investigated the use of nature-based restoration to facilitate the recovery of viable plant communities in mining wasteland. It was found that scientific analyses of spontaneously formed plant communities in abandoned mining areas can provide insights for nature-based restoration. The functional diversity of plant communities fluctuated substantially during succession, and soil properties, such as soil organic matter and nutrient concentrations, changed as well.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Manik Prabhu Narsing Rao, Zhou-Yan Dong, Zhen-Hao Luo, Meng-Meng Li, Bing-Bing Liu, Shu-Xian Guo, Wael N. Hozzein, Min Xiao, Wen-Jun Li
Summary: The present study conducted physicochemical and microbial diversity analyses of seven Indian hot springs, and found that temperature and pH influenced microbial diversity, with bacteria being the dominant group. Both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods revealed the potential of these springs to harbor novel microbial candidates and produce thermostable enzymes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xinye Guo, Yankui Tang, Juanjuan Yin, Rugui Li, Binting Qin, Lu Jiang, Xuemin Chen, Zhining Huang
Summary: Benthic diatoms were investigated in a stream impacted by manganese-mining and smelting activities, revealing their distribution, abundances, diversities, and habitat preferences. Navicula, Diatoma, Nitzschia, and Gomphonema were found to be dominant diatom genera. The even distribution of diatoms on plant roots and the tolerance of diatom strains to high concentrations of manganese were observed.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aude Beauger, Carlos E. Wetzel, Elisabeth Allain, Clotilde Bertin, Olivier Voldoire, Vincent Breton, Lory-Anne Baker, Sofia Kolovi, David Biron, Luc Ector
Summary: A new species of Chamaepinnularia, named Chamaepinnularia salina, was discovered during a survey of mineral springs in the French Massif Central region. This species has distinct morphological characteristics and prefers mineral springs with a Na-K-HCO3 water type.
Article
Ecology
Giuseppina G. Lai, Luc Ector, Carlos E. Wetzel, Antonella Luglie, Bachisio M. Padedda
Summary: This study assessed the environmental drivers of benthic diatom assemblages in thermo-mineral springs and found that temperature and conductivity significantly influence the composition, richness, diversity, and evenness of diatom communities.
FRESHWATER SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Aude Beauger, Carlos E. Wetzel, Elisabeth Allain, Clotilde Bertin, Olivier Voldoire, Vincent Breton, Lory-Anne Baker, Sofia Kolovi, David Biron, Luc Ector
Summary: A new species of Chamaepinnularia, named Chamaepinnularia salina, was discovered during a survey of mineral springs in the French Massif Central region. This species has distinct morphological characteristics and prefers mineral springs with a Na-K-HCO3 water type.
Article
Plant Sciences
Diba A. Khan-Bureau, Saul Blanco, Eduardo A. Morales, Luc Ector, Michael S. Beauchene, Louise A. Lewis
Summary: This research used geometric morphometrics analysis to successfully distinguish between two populations of Didymosphenia in the Farmington River, Connecticut, and confirmed the identity of the second population as D. geminata. The study highlights the enhanced ability of geometric morphometrics, in combination with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, to differentiate between morphologically similar species of Didymosphenia.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lory-Anne Baker, David G. G. Biron, Aude Beauger, Sofia Kolovi, Jonathan Colombet, Elisabeth Allain, Olivier Voldoire, Vincent Breton, Patrick Chardon, Telesphore Sime-Ngando, Karine David, Gilles Montavon, Herve Michel, Angia Sriram Pradeep Ram
Summary: While the link between viruses and prokaryotes in aquatic systems is well-known, there is limited research on this relationship in spring waters. This study examined the abundance of viruses and prokaryotes and identified the environmental factors affecting them in springs with varying levels of naturally occurring radioactivity. The results showed significant differences in viral abundances among springs, with low abundances corresponding to high gamma radiation dose and vice versa. The findings suggest a possible adverse effect of water radioactivity on viruses, explaining the lack of significant relationship between prokaryotic and viral abundances.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppina G. Lai, Carlos E. Wetzel, Luc Ector, Antonella Luglie, Bachisio M. Padedda
Summary: This study analyzed diatom assemblages in thermal springs in Sardinia, Italy, and found that low discharge, ecotonal properties, and natural and human disturbances significantly affect the composition of the aquatic communities. Springs connected to rivers and with higher disturbance levels exhibited higher species richness and diversity, while isolated springs harbored smaller pools of taxa with specific habitat preferences or restricted distributions. Environmental variables such as water temperature, river influence, and nutrients also played a major role in shaping the diatom assemblages.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lory-Anne Baker, Aude Beauger, So fia Kolovi, Olivier Voldoire, Elisabeth Allain, Vincent Breton, Patrick Chardon, Didier Miallier, Celine Bailly, Gilles Montavon, Agnes Bouchez, Frederic Rimet, Cecile Chardon, Valentin Vasselon, Luc Ector, Carlos E. Wetzel, David G. Biron
Summary: Little is known about the low dose effects of radiation on microbial communities in the environment. This study used DNA metabarcoding to investigate the genetic richness, diversity, and structure of diatom communities in 16 mineral springs in the Massif Central, France, and found that geographical location and 238U were the main factors influencing ASVs distribution and diatom ASV structure. The genetic variant of Planothidium frequentissimum associated with high levels of 238U may serve as a bio-indicator of high natural uranium levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cheran Radhakrishnan, Sudipta Kumar Das, Carlos E. Wetzel, Balasubramanian Karthick
Summary: We describe a new species of Adlafia called Adlafia kociolekii from aerial habitats in Sikkim, India. The species was observed and described based on light and scanning electron microscopy observations. The main diagnostic features of this species include clear elliptical valves, a narrow axial area at the centre, radiate to convergent striation, and a distinctive Voigt discontinuity at both apices. The ultrastructure of this species, including the presence of a raphe on the elevated sternum, distal raphe ends deflected to opposite sides of proximal ends, and distal ends terminating in long and thickened helictoglossae, distinguishes it as a new species. The species was also found in wet walls and freshwater habitats in northeast India. Morphological features of this species were compared with closely similar taxa of Adlafia and other naviculoid genera.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bart Van De Vijver, Britt Gogne, Gabrielle Hoogsteyns, Levente Van De Velde, Luna Vlaminck, Sija A. Kabota, Lies Teunen, Carlos E. Wetzel
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aude Beauger, Olivier Voldoire, Elisabeth Allain, Pierre Gosseaume, Christelle Blavignac, Lory-Anne Baker, Carlos E. E. Wetzel
Summary: This study evaluates the biodiversity of 79 mineral saline springs in the French Massif Central, focusing on species richness and diatom community composition. Physical and chemical factors were found to influence the richness and communities of diatoms, with hardness and certain ions being critical drivers of diatom community composition.
Article
Plant Sciences
Lory-Anne Baker, Helene Celle, Olivier Voldoire, Carlos E. Wetzel, Elisabeth Allain, Luc Ector, Vincent Breton, David G. Biron, Gilles Mailhot, Jean-Luc Devidal, Aude Beauger
Summary: This study analyzes the information of water and diatoms in the Massif Central in order to improve knowledge of biodiversity and species autecology. The results show that the geochemical facies, water origin, and dissolved solids influence the taxonomic composition of diatoms, while water temperature and the radioactive isotope Rn-222 affect the distribution and richness of diatom species.
