Review
Microbiology
Mark S. Calabon, E. B. Gareth Jones, Itthayakorn Promputtha, Kevin D. Hyde
Summary: This review summarizes research efforts on salt marsh fungi, including their geographical distribution and host association. A total of 486 taxa associated with different hosts in salt marsh ecosystems are listed. Ascomycota dominates the taxa from salt marsh ecosystems. Among the host plants, Juncus roemerianus, Phragmites australis, and Spartina alterniflora have been extensively studied for their fungal associates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tyler W. dD'Entremont, Juan C. Lopez-Gutierrez, Allison K. Walker
Summary: Salt marshes play essential roles in coastal stability and marine ecosystems, but are facing decline due to anthropogenic and natural causes. This study demonstrates that using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly improve survival and growth of salt marsh grass, especially when using rhizome-derived plants inoculated with propagated Funneliformis geosporum. This finding suggests potential for using AMF-inoculated plants in large-scale salt marsh restoration efforts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Li, Lijuan Cui, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Juntao Wang, Yinuo Zhu, Rumiao Wang, Wei Li, Yinru Lei, Xiajie Zhai, Xinsheng Zhao, Brajesh K. Singh
Summary: This study investigated the shifts of microbial communities and soil multifunctionality along a vegetation gradient in a salt marsh ecosystem. The results showed that vegetation type had a significant impact on soil multifunctionality, and there was a positive correlation between fungal richness and soil multifunctionality.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yijing Ding, Yanan Wang, Xushun Gu, Yuanyuan Peng, Shanshan Sun, Shengbing He
Summary: The study found that a salinity of 7% and 10% can promote the organic carbon release from reed biomass. The highest nitrate removal was observed at a salinity of 7%, and this removal rate increased from 54.06% to 74.37% after adding reed biomass. Additionally, the lowest nitrous oxide emission flux was also observed at this salinity, with a rate of 0.23 mg/(m2 h). Microbiological analysis showed that salinity had an impact on the microbial community, with an increase in the relative abundance of Chloroflexi and Actinobacteria and a decrease in Proteobacteria. The main functional genera of denitrification also changed with increasing salinity.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Hollie E. Emery, John H. Angell, Akaash Tawade, Robinson W. Fulweiler
Summary: Coastal wetlands exhibit different emission patterns of CO2, CH4, and N2O following tidal inundation and rainfall, and accurately predicting carbon and nitrogen cycling in salt marshes requires considering pulse responses and baseline gas flux rates.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
B. R. Evans, H. Brooks, C. Chirol, M. K. Kirkham, I Moller, K. Royse, K. Spencer, T. Spencer
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the presence of different saltmarsh plants and the mechanical properties of the underlying substrate. The findings showed that vegetation can enhance sediment shear strengths, but the effect varies depending on the sediment type.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
H. E. Baranes, J. D. Woodruff, W. R. Geyer, B. C. Yellen, J. B. Richardson, Frances Griswold
Summary: The study reveals that marine sediment mobilized during coastal storms is a primary source to the estuaries of North and South Rivers in New England. The study also shows that sediment supply and marsh resilience in New England mesotidal salt marshes involves the interplay of coastal and estuarine processes, emphasizing the importance of considering both upstream and downstream factors in identifying key drivers of environmental change.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xuefeng Peng, Qixing Ji, John H. Angell, Patrick J. Kearns, Jennifer L. Bowen, Bess B. Ward
Summary: Salt marsh sediments are key sites for nitrogen cycling and a significant source of nitrous oxide (N2O) production and consumption. Fertilization can impact nitrogen dynamics, increasing the importance of nitrification in N2O production. Changes in specific substrate utilization rates reveal shifts in microbial community composition and functional gene expression in response to long-term fertilization.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
X. L. Otero, P. Guevara, M. Sanchez, I Lopez, H. M. Queiroz, A. Ferreira, T. O. Ferreira, G. N. Nobrega, R. Carballo
Summary: Galician Rias are highly productive ecosystems with salt marshes and sediments that promote pyrite synthesis and accumulation. This study examines the morphological variability and concentration of pyrites in the Ria de Ortigueira, finding that framboidal pyrites dominate in marsh soils and sediments in the inner and middle sections, while isolated crystals dominate in the outer section. Lower marsh soils show the highest pyrite synthesis, but lower amounts of framboidal pyrites compared to the inner and middle sections. Pyrite crystals in the sediments indicate degradation and derive from marsh collapse.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hengzhi Jiang, Chongxu Chai, Mingliang Zhang
Summary: Salt-marsh plants play important roles in hydrodynamics and sediment transport in coastal regions. A study using the Delft3D model quantified the influence of these plants on hydrodynamic characteristics and suspended sediment transport in a coastal wetland, and found that the plants contributed significantly to sediment trapping in the local area. The model results showed that salt marsh plants had little impact on tidal level, but had a significant effect on flow velocity and tidal flux, resulting in slow-flow zones in vegetated areas. Phragmites australis attenuated flow velocity more than Suaeda heteroptera. The study also found that salt marsh plants reduced suspended sediment concentration through interception and trapping, with a reduction of over 60%.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
S. Rinehart, J. M. Dybiec, B. Mortazavi, J. A. Cherry
Summary: Burrowing animals, such as crabs, have significant impacts on sediment dynamics and edaphic conditions. However, the influence of burrowing crabs can vary depending on sediment properties and the vertical sediment profile. This study found that burrowing crabs have a greater effect on sediment homogenization and edaphic conditions in marshes with highly stratified vertical sediment profiles. Understanding the vertical sediment profile can provide important insights for managing salt marshes and predicting the effects of burrowing crabs on sediment properties.
Article
Microbiology
Tania F. L. Vicente, Micael F. M. Goncalves, Claudio Brandao, Catia Fidalgo, Artur Alves
Summary: The study explored fungal communities associated with macroalgae in the Ria de Aveiro estuary in Portugal, revealing variations in fungal community composition with different macroalgae species and identifying two new fungal species.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nathan D. McTigue, Quentin A. Walker, Carolyn A. Currin
Summary: Coastal wetlands have sediments containing organic matter preserved for millennia, acting as a sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and potential source of greenhouse gases. By measuring the decomposition rates of carbon in wetland sediments under oxygenated conditions, it is estimated that eroded salt marsh sediment in the United States releases 62.90 +/- 2.81 Gg C . yr(-1) annually.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marcella Roner, Massimiliano Ghinassi, Alvise Finotello, Adele Bertini, Nathalie Combourieu-Nebout, Sandra Donnici, Adrian Gilli, Martina Vannacci, Luigi Vigliotti, Luca G. Bellucci, Mariaelena Fedi, Lucia Liccioli, Laura Tommasini, Andrea D'Alpaos
Summary: Many salt-marsh systems are threatened by drowning and lateral erosion due to insufficient sediment supply. Contrary to expectations, changes in sediment availability may not significantly impact marsh dynamics in the vertical plane. A time lag exists between enhanced sediment input and its impact on salt-marsh succession, with sediment stocking along marsh margins playing a key role in horizontal expansion before vertical accretion occurs.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Brian Yellen, Jonathan D. Woodruff, Hannah E. Baranes, Simon E. Engelhart, W. Rockwell Geywer, Noa Randall, Frances R. Griswold
Summary: There is concern about rising sea levels drowning salt marshes faster than they can build elevation. Little attention has been paid to how changes in inlet geometry affect estuarine tides and marshes. A storm in 1898 created a new inlet, shortening one river and lengthening another. Measurements suggest that this caused increased high tides and frequent inundation. Sediment deposition and channel widening allowed the marshes to adjust to the increased inundation and survive rapid sea level rise.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon Yang, Bonnie X. Chang, Mark J. Warner, Thomas S. Weber, Annie M. Bourbonnais, Alyson E. Santoro, Annette Kock, Rolf E. Sonnerup, John L. Bullister, Samuel T. Wilson, Daniele Bianchi
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sayedeh Sara Sayedi, Benjamin W. Abbott, Brett F. Thornton, Jennifer M. Frederick, Jorien E. Vonk, Paul Overduin, Christina Schadel, Edward A. G. Schuur, Annie Bourbonnais, Nikita Demidov, Anatoly Gavrilov, Shengping He, Gustaf Hugelius, Martin Jakobsson, Miriam C. Jones, DongJoo Joung, Gleb Kraev, Robie W. Macdonald, A. David McGuire, Cuicui Mu, Matt O'Regan, Kathryn M. Schreiner, Christian Stranne, Elena Pizhankova, Alexander Vasiliev, Sebastian Westermann, Jay P. Zarnetske, Tingjun Zhang, Mehran Ghandehari, Sarah Baeumler, Brian C. Brown, Rebecca J. Frei
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Xuefeng Peng, St Elmo Wilken, Thomas S. Lankiewicz, Sean P. Gilmore, Jennifer L. Brown, John K. Henske, Candice L. Swift, Asaf Salamov, Kerrie Barry, Igor Grigoriev, Michael K. Theodorou, David L. Valentine, Michelle A. O'Malley
Summary: The study found that microbial consortia dominated by anaerobic fungi outperformed bacterially dominated consortia in methane production and cellulose degradation. Cross-domain partnerships between fungi and methanogens enabled the production of acetate, formate, and methane, while bacterially dominated consortia mainly produced short-chain fatty acids. The division of labor among herbivore anaerobes for plant biomass degradation could be utilized for industrial bioprocessing.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annie Bourbonnais, Claudia Frey, Xin Sun, Laura A. Bristow, Amal Jayakumar, Nathaniel E. Ostrom, Karen L. Casciotti, Bess B. Ward
Summary: The protocols presented in the study aim to make measurements of N2O transformation rates more accessible and to facilitate inter-comparison between different laboratories in the future.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xuefeng Peng, David L. Valentine
Summary: The diversity and function of fungi in the ocean have been largely neglected, but research shows they may play an active role in marine nitrogen cycling. Fungal N2O production rates peak at the oxic-anoxic interface of the water column, with fungi contributing 18-22% of total N2O production.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xuefeng Peng, Qixing Ji, John H. Angell, Patrick J. Kearns, Jennifer L. Bowen, Bess B. Ward
Summary: Salt marsh sediments are key sites for nitrogen cycling and a significant source of nitrous oxide (N2O) production and consumption. Fertilization can impact nitrogen dynamics, increasing the importance of nitrification in N2O production. Changes in specific substrate utilization rates reveal shifts in microbial community composition and functional gene expression in response to long-term fertilization.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon Roux, Blair G. Paul, Sarah C. Bagby, Stephen Nayfach, Michelle A. Allen, Graeme Attwood, Ricardo Cavicchioli, Ludmila Chistoserdova, Robert J. Gruninger, Steven J. Hallam, Maria E. Hernandez, Matthias Hess, Wen-Tso Liu, Tim A. McAllister, Michelle A. O'Malley, Xuefeng Peng, Virginia Rich, Scott R. Saleska, Emiley A. Eloe-Fadrosh
Summary: Researchers have analyzed over 30,000 DGRs from public metagenomes, establishing six major DGR lineages, three of which are primarily encoded by phages, and demonstrating that DGRs are responsible for a significant proportion of amino acid changes in some organisms. These results highlight the constraints under which DGRs evolve, and reveal the distinct roles that these elements play in natural communities.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Xuefeng Peng, Daniela Gat, Adina Paytan, Yinon Rudich
Summary: The study found that dust storms can decrease the proportion of fungi in airborne microbiomes, particularly those originating from Syria which are enriched with xerophilic fungi. Additionally, it was observed that the composition of fungal communities is altered by dust storms, especially those from Syria.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mariana B. Bif, Annie Bourbonnais, Dennis A. Hansell, Julie Granger, Holly Westbrook, Mark A. Altabet
Summary: Based on data from three meridional survey cruises in the southeast Pacific Ocean, this study investigates the controls on surface distributions of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON). The results show that while DOC concentrations increase inside the gyre, DON remains at similar levels compared to the margins. The study suggests that allochthonous DON is likely a significant source of nitrogen to microbial communities inside the nitrogen-limited environment of the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre.
Article
Oceanography
T. B. Mashifane, A. Bourbonnais, S. E. Fawcett
Summary: Using a coupled physical-biogeochemical model and new observations, this study investigates the dynamics of nitrous oxide (N2O) in St Helena Bay, a region in the southern Benguela upwelling system. The results show that significant N2O production occurs in nearshore waters, and this N2O is advected equatorward at a high rate. By contrast, low N2O concentrations are found in the poleward undercurrent on the shelf slope. The study also calculates the N2O flux in the entire SBUS region and finds that it represents 0.1% of the estimated global ocean annual flux.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Annie Bourbonnais, Bonnie X. X. Chang, Rolf E. Sonnerup, Scott C. Doney, Mark A. Altabet
Summary: This study conducted research on the concentration, stable isotopic composition, and isotopomer of nitrous oxide in the Pacific region using data collected from the Global Ocean Ship-based Hydrographic Investigations Program. The study found that the production of nitrous oxide significantly increased under low oxygen conditions near the oxygen-deficient zone.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Stephen Nayfach, Simon Roux, Rekha Seshadri, Daniel Udwary, Neha Varghese, Frederik Schulz, Dongying Wu, David Paez-Espino, I-Min Chen, Marcel Huntemann, Krishna Palaniappan, Joshua Ladau, Supratim Mukherjee, T. B. K. Reddy, Torben Nielsen, Edward Kirton, Jose P. Faria, Janaka N. Edirisinghe, Christopher S. Henry, Sean P. Jungbluth, Dylan Chivian, Paramvir Dehal, Elisha M. Wood-Charlson, Adam P. Arkin, Susannah G. Tringe, Axel Visel, Tanja Woyke, Nigel J. Mouncey, Natalia N. Ivanova, Nikos C. Kyrpides, Emiley A. Eloe-Fadrosh
Summary: Reconstructing bacterial and archaeal genomes from shotgun metagenomes has led to the creation of a comprehensive catalog representing a significant expansion of the known phylogenetic diversity of bacteria and archaea. This resource is available for streamlined comparative analyses, interactive exploration, metabolic modeling, and bulk download, demonstrating the utility of genome-centric approaches for understanding genomic properties of uncultivated microorganisms.
NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Samuel T. Wilson, Alia N. Al-Haj, Annie Bourbonnais, Claudia Frey, Robinson W. Fulweiler, John D. Kessler, Hannah K. Marchant, Jana Milucka, Nicholas E. Ray, Parvadha Suntharalingam, Brett F. Thornton, Robert C. Upstill-Goddard, Thomas S. Weber, Damian L. Arevalo-Martinez, Hermann W. Bange, Heather M. Benway, Daniele Bianchi, Alberto Borges, Bonnie X. Chang, Patrick M. Crill, Daniela A. del Valle, Laura Farias, Samantha B. Joye, Annette Kock, Jabrane Labidi, Cara C. Manning, John W. Pohlman, Gregor Rehder, Katy J. Sparrow, Philippe D. Tortell, Tina Treude, David L. Valentine, Bess B. Ward, Simon Yang, Leonid N. Yurganov