Article
Microbiology
Jason A. Rothman, Jenna L. Riis, Katrina R. Hamilton, Clancy Blair, Douglas A. Granger, Katrine L. Whiteson
Summary: Human oral microbial communities have significant implications for oral and systemic health due to their diversity. Understanding the differences between healthy and dysbiotic oral microbiomes is important, especially within and between families. This study investigates the changes in oral microbiome composition within individuals and the impact of factors such as environmental tobacco smoke exposure, metabolic regulation, inflammation, and antioxidant potential. The findings reveal differences in oral microbiomes between children and caregivers, with shared diversity but distinct differences, and highlight the associations between the oral microbiome and various salivary markers.
Article
Ecology
Olivia U. Mason, Patricia Chanton, Loren N. Knobbe, Julian Zaugg, Behzad Mortazavi
Summary: Coastal salt marshes are highly productive ecosystems that provide essential services such as soil carbon storage, flood protection, and nutrient filtering. This study examined nutrient filtering in marsh sediments by analyzing microbial community structure, diversity, denitrification rates, and metabolic potential in different vegetation patches. The results showed that microbial communities in Spartina and Juncus sediments had similar diversity and richness, but differed in evenness, with Juncus sediments having the most even communities. Additionally, denitrification rates were higher in Juncus sediments, indicating that microbial abundances and the core microbiome may play a role in marsh nitrogen removal. Sequencing data suggested a potentially important role of Planctomycetes in nitrogen removal in salt marshes. Ecosystem perturbations that affect marsh vegetation distribution could impact microbial diversity and ecosystem functions.
Article
Ecology
Anna N. Rasmussen, Julian Damashek, Emiley A. Eloe-Fadrosh, Christopher A. Francis
Summary: This study is the first in-depth spatiotemporal survey of microbial communities in San Francisco Bay, revealing specialization of planktonic microorganisms to different niches along the salinity gradient.
Article
Microbiology
Peeter Laas, Kelly Ugarelli, Rafael Travieso, Sandro Stumpf, Evelyn E. Gaiser, John S. Kominoski, Ulrich Stingl
Summary: Planktonic microbial communities in wetland ecosystems play a vital role, yet they are relatively underexplored compared to other aquatic ecosystems. This study conducted a high-resolution analysis of bacterial and eukaryotic microbial communities in the Florida Everglades, revealing significant variations along the salinity gradient.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ma. Fernanda Sanchez-Soto, Daniel Cerqueda-Garcia, M. Leopoldina Aguirre-Macedo, Jose Q. Garcia-Maldonado
Summary: The study analyzed the dynamics of microbial communities in different water depths in the PFB in the nwGoM. The results showed that the community structure was influenced by various factors, such as cruise, water depth, temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations. The study also identified specific microbial taxa that were abundant in different depths. These findings provide insights into the stability and ecological relevance of microbial communities in sedimentary environments.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ademir Sergio Ferreira Araujo, Ana Roberta Lima Miranda, Arthur Prudencio de Araujo Pereira, Wanderley Jose de Melo, Vania Maria Maciel Melo, Sabrina Hermelindo Ventura, Eudemio Sousa Brito Jr, Erika Valente de Medeiros, Fabio Fernando Araujo, Lucas William Mendes
Summary: This study assessed the microbial community in the rhizosphere of maize and cowpea grown in Cr-contaminated soils using amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the microbial community in the maize rhizosphere clustered together, while the microbial community in the cowpea rhizosphere did not present clear clustering. Furthermore, Cr contamination had different effects on specific bacterial groups in the rhizospheres of maize and cowpea.
Article
Immunology
Shakti Kumar, Naina Kumari, Daizee Talukdar, Akansha Kothidar, Mousumi Sarkar, Ojasvi Mehta, Pallavi Kshetrapal, Nitya Wadhwa, Ramachandran Thiruvengadam, Bapu Koundinya Desiraju, G. Balakrish Nair, Shinjini Bhatnagar, Souvik Mukherjee, Bhabatosh Das
Summary: The study found that specific species of Lactobacillus and other facultative anaerobes are associated with birth outcomes in Indian women, suggesting a protective role in reducing the risk of preterm birth.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Daniel Min, Andrew C. Doxey, Josh D. Neufeld
Summary: AXIOME3 is a completely redeveloped pipeline for small subunit ribosomal RNA data analysis, with an interactive web interface that simplifies configuration processes and task status tracking. It uses an automated pipeline wrapped around QIIME2 to generate various outputs, including amplicon sequence variant tables, taxonomic classifications, phylogenetic trees, biodiversity metrics, and ordinations.
Article
Ecology
Ademir Sergio Ferreira Araujo, Arthur Prudencio de Araujo Pereira, Vania Maria Maciel Melo, Erika Valente de Medeiros, Lucas William Mendes
Summary: Soils from the semiarid regions of Brazil are at high risk of desertification due to various factors. However, restoration strategies such as conservationist practices and grazing exclusion have shown potential in recovering the richness and diversity of soil bacterial and archaeal communities. These strategies also improve the connectivity and functionality of soil microorganisms over time.
Article
Environmental Sciences
B. Read-Daily, S. Ben Maamar, F. Sabba, S. Green, R. Nerenberg
Summary: This study found that N2O has a significant impact on mixed denitrifying communities. The presence of N2O alone selects for a low-diversity, fully denitrifying community, while the presence of N2O with NO2- or NO3- promotes more diverse microbial communities.
Article
Microbiology
Angelina Cordone, Matteo Selci, Bernardo Barosa, Alessia Bastianoni, Deborah Bastoni, Francesco Bolinesi, Rosaria Capuozzo, Martina Cascone, Monica Correggia, Davide Corso, Luciano Di Iorio, Cristina Misic, Francesco Montemagno, Annarita Ricciardelli, Maria Saggiomo, Luca Tonietti, Olga Mangoni, Donato Giovannelli
Summary: The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is the major current in the Southern Ocean and plays a crucial role in the Earth's heat balance and carbon distribution. It is characterized by several water mass boundaries or fronts, but little is known about the microbial diversity in this region. This study presents the bacterial community structure in surface water based on 16S rRNA sequencing, revealing a distinct successional pattern and the influence of sea surface temperatures and carbon/nitrogen availability. These findings provide an important baseline for future research on the response of Southern Ocean microbial communities to climate change.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jiaojiao Xu, Jiadi Liang, Wenjun Chen, Xin Wen, Na Zhang, Baohua Ma, Yongde Zou, Jiandui Mi, Yan Wang, Xindi Liao, Yinbao Wu
Summary: In this study, the effect of therapeutic doxycycline on the pig intestinal bacterial community was examined. It was found that doxycycline did not affect the diversity of the microbial community structure, but it did affect bacterial interactions and metabolic pathways. This study provides insight into the impact of doxycycline on the pig intestinal microbiota in pig breeding.
Article
Microbiology
Ya Wang, Yan Yan, Kelsey N. Thompson, Sena Bae, Emma K. Accorsi, Yancong Zhang, Jiaxian Shen, Hera Vlamakis, Erica M. Hartmann, Curtis Huttenhower
Summary: This study comprehensively evaluates PMA-seq in synthetic and complex microbial communities, finding that the technique is effective for semi-quantitative purposes in simple synthetic communities but provides only qualitative assessments in realistically complex community samples.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marcel Suleiman, Francesca Demaria, Cristina Zimmardi, Boris Alexander Kolvenbach, Philippe Francois-Xavier Corvini
Summary: Pharmaceuticals accumulation in the environment is a concern for our planet and health. Little is known about the biodegradation capacity of microbial communities for multiple micropollutants. This study demonstrates the feasibility of cultivating stable microbial communities capable of degrading a mixture of highly concentrated pharmaceuticals.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yuzhao Ling, Hongyuan Tan, Lingwei Shen, Lingyun Wei, Guangquan Xiong, Lan Wang, Wenjin Wu, Yu Qiao
Summary: The effects of ozone water and ultrasound cleaning on the microbial community diversity of crayfish were studied through microbial viable count and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that the combined treatment significantly reduced the viable count of various microorganisms. Sensory evaluation indicated that the crayfish treated with ozone water and ultrasound cleaning provided a satisfactory sensory experience.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mary Katherine Rogener, Kimberley S. Hunter, Nancy N. Rabalais, Brian J. Roberts, Annalisa Bracco, Frank J. Stewart, Samantha B. Joye
Summary: Anthropogenic nutrient inputs have led to eutrophication and hypoxia in coastal areas globally, with the Louisiana shelf hosting the world's second largest anthropogenic coastal hypoxic zone. High rates of pelagic denitrification and methane oxidation were observed in hypoxic waters characterized by high concentrations of nitrous oxide and methane. However, denitrification was found to potentially remove a significant portion of DIN input from the Mississippi River, while methane oxidation did not effectively remove methane, which escaped into the atmosphere. The microbial removal capacity for nitrate/nitrite and methane in this ecosystem was regulated by physiochemical dynamics, with bacteria unable to keep up with the nutrient inputs.
Article
Ecology
Brian J. Roberts, Natalie A. Griffiths, Jeffrey N. Houser, Patrick J. Mulholland
Summary: The study evaluated the ecological effectiveness of adding coarse woody debris to streams and found that heavily disturbed streams responded most strongly to the additions. However, the benefits of CWD additions were only short-term, as continued high erosion rates resulted in the burial of added CWD and a return to pre-addition levels of ecosystem metabolism rates. Therefore, future restoration efforts should consider the intensity of disturbances in selecting restoration locations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adri K. Grow, Charles A. Schutte, Brian J. Roberts
Summary: The study reveals the significant influence of fiddler crab bioturbation on greenhouse gas emissions in salt marshes, while oil pollution has a relatively minor impact.
Article
Ecology
Scott Zengel, Jennifer Weaver, Irving A. Mendelssohn, Sean A. Graham, Qianxin Lin, Mark W. Hester, Jonathan M. Willis, Brian R. Silliman, John W. Fleeger, Giovanna McClenachan, Nancy N. Rabalais, R. Eugene Turner, A. Randall Hughes, Just Cebrian, Donald R. Deis, Nicolle Rutherford, Brian J. Roberts
Summary: The Deepwater Horizon oil spill had multiyear impacts on salt marsh vegetation, with most plant metrics showing significant reductions and requiring three years or longer for recovery. Concerningly, belowground biomass declined over time and may have long-term impacts on ecosystem processes and associated species. Full recovery is likely to exceed 10 years, particularly in heavily oiled marshes.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Dubravko Justic, Villy Kourafalou, Giulio Mariotti, Songjie He, Robert Weisberg, Yannis Androulidakis, Christopher Barker, Annalisa Bracco, Brian Dzwonkowski, Chuanmin Hu, Haosheng Huang, Gregg Jacobs, Matthieu Le Henaff, Yonggang Liu, Steven Morey, Jeffrey Nittrouer, Edward Overton, Claire B. Paris, Brian J. Roberts, Kenneth Rose, Arnoldo Valle-Levinson, Jerry Wiggert
Summary: Transport processes are important factors that modulate the estuarine and coastal geomorphology, biogeochemistry, water quality, and coastal food webs in river-dominated shelves of the Gulf of Mexico. These processes control the fate of river-borne sediments, nutrients, and carbon, influencing issues such as land loss, eutrophication, hypoxia, harmful algal blooms, and coastal acidification. Furthermore, transport of pollutants such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and oil into estuaries and coastal systems is also influenced by these processes. The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) has provided significant opportunities to study transport processes in the region and improve understanding for more accurate forecasting and response strategies in the event of environmental disasters such as oil spills.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Scott F. Jones, Charles A. Schutte, Brian J. Roberts, Karen M. Thorne
Summary: The study examined the influence of wetland management history on ecosystem structure and nutrient cycling in Suisun Marsh, California, finding that water management exerted stronger control on ecosystem processes and structure than surface fire disturbance. Despite differences in predisturbance conditions, all soil processes recovered to baseline levels within 6 months after the fire, with no evidence of plant community change 1 year later.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Julia A. Sweet, Sibel Bargu, Wendy L. Morrison, Michael Parsons, Mrunmayee G. Pathare, Brian J. Roberts, Thomas M. Soniat, Beth A. Stauffer
Summary: This paper synthesizes data from four Louisiana estuaries to characterize trends in phytoplankton biomass, community composition, and the environmental factors influencing them. Results show that salinity variability often explains biomass trends, while temperature is a significant explanatory variable for only one system. Understanding these dynamics is critical for predicting the effects of ongoing change.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ashley M. McDonald, Charles W. Martin, Guillaume Rieucau, Brian J. Roberts
Summary: This study provides experimental evidence that previous oil exposure has potential sublethal effects on the foraging ability of Gulf killifish. Exposure to high oil concentrations reduced foraging rate by an average of about 37%, while the response to moderate concentrations varied greatly and the response to low concentrations was similar to that of the unexposed group. The study suggests that oil spills may have an impact on energy transfer between saltmarsh and off-marsh systems.
Article
Ecology
Megan K. La Peyre, Sarah Catherine Leblanc Buie, Ryann E. Rossi, Brian J. Roberts
Summary: Nature-based coastal defense using bivalve reefs is a potentially self-sustaining approach for regions facing coastal land loss and increasing storm intensity. This study examined the outcomes of experimental reefs in Louisiana over a period of 10 years and found a decrease in oyster density and no significant shoreline protection. However, the persistence of reproductive-sized oysters indicates the potential for reef development and shoreline benefits in the future.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ryann E. L. Rossi, Charles A. Schutte, Jordan Logarbo, Caleb Bourgeois, Brian J. Roberts
Summary: The study reveals a mutualistic relationship between Gulf ribbed mussels (G. granosissima) and smooth cordgrass (S. alterniflora), in which the mussels enhance the growth and productivity of cordgrass, leading to improved salt marsh stability and function.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Charles W. Martin, Ashley M. McDonald, John F. Valentine, Brian J. Roberts
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Friedrich W. Keppeler, James R. Junker, Margaret J. Shaw, Scott B. Alford, Annette S. Engel, Linda M. Hooper-Bui, Olaf P. Jensen, Katelyn Lamb, Paola C. Lopez-Duarte, Charles W. Martin, Ashley M. McDonald, Jill A. Olin, Audrey T. Paterson, Michael J. Polito, Nancy N. Rabalais, Brian J. Roberts, Ryann E. Rossi, Erick M. Swenson
Summary: Coastal wetlands are disappearing rapidly due to climate change and flood control measures. The study compares the biodiversity of different assemblages between created marshes and reference marshes. The results suggest generally similar taxonomic diversity and composition between created and reference marshes, supporting the use of marsh habitat for coastal biodiversity restoration.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Charles W. Martin, Paola C. Lopez-Duarte, Jill A. Olin, Brian J. Roberts
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kiva L. Oken, Kenneth W. Able, Kim de Mutsert, F. Joel Fodrie, Paola C. Lopez-Duarte, Charles W. Martin, Michael J. McCann, Jill A. Olin, Michael J. Polito, Brian J. Roberts, Olaf P. Jensen
Summary: The Deepwater Horizon disaster released a huge amount of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, but there has been little evidence of population-level declines of most nearshore fish and invertebrate populations. The fishing moratorium following the spill and reductions in predation pressure may explain this paradox. The study used food web models to quantify the impacts and found that the fishing moratorium was the most likely mitigating mechanism.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Taylor M. Sloey, Brian J. Roberts, Skyler R. Flaska, James A. Nelson
Summary: Assimilation wetlands, used for treating municipal wastewater, offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional treatment methods. However, research on the ecological impacts of this process is limited and conflicting evidence exists regarding wetland ecosystem responses to increased inundation and nutrient enrichment. More comprehensive ecosystem monitoring and controlled experimentation are needed to fully understand the long-term effects of using wetlands for wastewater treatment.