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  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Isolation and characterization of oxalotrophic bacteria from tropical soils
    The oxalate–carbonate pathway (OCP) is a biogeochemical set of reactions that involves the conversion of atmospheric CO2 fixed by plants into biomass and, after the biological recycling of calcium oxalate by fungi and bacteria, into calcium carbonate in terrestrial environments. Oxalotrophic bacteria are a key element of this process because of their ability to oxidize calcium oxalate. However, the diversity and alternative carbon sources of oxalotrophs participating to this pathway are unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize oxalotrophic bacteria in tropical OCP systems from Bolivia, India, and Cameroon. Ninety-five oxalotrophic strains were isolated and identified by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Four genera corresponded to newly reported oxalotrophs (Afipia, Polaromonas, Humihabitans, and Psychrobacillus). Ten strains were selected to perform a more detailed characterization. Kinetic curves and microcalorimetry analyses showed that Variovorax soli C18 has the highest oxalate consumption rate with 0.240 μM h-1. Moreover, Streptomyces achromogenes A9 displays the highest metabolic plasticity. This study highlights the phylogenetic and physiological diversity of oxalotrophic bacteria in tropical soils under the influence of the oxalate–carbonate pathway.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Fungi, bacteria and soil pH: the oxalate–carbonate pathway as a model for metabolic interaction
    The oxalate–carbonate pathway involves the oxidation of calcium oxalate to low-magnesium calcite and represents a potential long-term terrestrial sink for atmospheric CO2. In this pathway, bacterial oxalate degradation is associated with a strong local alkalinization and subsequent carbonate precipitation. In order to test whether this process occurs in soil, the role of bacteria, fungi and calcium oxalate amendments was studied using microcosms. In a model system with sterile soil amended with laboratory cultures of oxalotrophic bacteria and fungi, the addition of calcium oxalate induced a distinct pH shift and led to the final precipitation of calcite. However, the simultaneous presence of bacteria and fungi was essential to drive this pH shift. Growth of both oxalotrophic bacteria and fungi was confirmed by qPCR on the frc (oxalotrophic bacteria) and 16S rRNA genes, and the quantification of ergosterol (active fungal biomass) respectively. The experiment was replicated in microcosms with non-sterilized soil. In this case, the bacterial and fungal contribution to oxalate degradation was evaluated by treatments with specific biocides (cycloheximide and bronopol). Results showed that the autochthonous microflora oxidized calcium oxalate and induced a significant soil alkalinization. Moreover, data confirmed the results from the model soil showing that bacteria are essentially responsible for the pH shift, but require the presence of fungi for their oxalotrophic activity. The combined results highlight that the interaction between bacteria and fungi is essential to drive metabolic processes in complex environments such as soil.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Biologically induced accumulations of CaCO3 in orthox soils of Biga, Ivory Coast
    (2005) ;
    Braissant, Olivier
    ;
    Dupraz, Christophe
    ;
    ;
    Biologically induced accumulations of calcium carbonate have been found inside orthox soils, under and around the native iroko tree Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) in Biga (Ivory Coast). The nature of these accumulations and their origin were studied in two soil profiles, directly under the tree and at a distance of 30 cm from the trunk. Microscale forms of CaCO3 include: (1) wood pseudomorphic structures such as parenchyma cells, cellulose fibers, and calcitic vessel infillings; (2) three types of rhombohedra; and (3) needle fiber calcite (NFC). In addition, large scale blocks exhibit three types of textures: (1) micritic calcite, which seems to be the original material; (2) light-colored sparite in moldic voids; and (3) asymmetrical radiaxial laminated fibrous cement. Some micritic aggregates and hemi-spherulites (vaterite) were found in the sap on the trunk as well as in soils on silica grains and the wood itself. The mineralogy of all these carbonate forms is mainly a stoichiometric calcite or a moderately enriched Mg calcite. However, some samples contain monohydrocalcite, as well as two polymorphs of calcium oxalate (weddellite and whewellite). Calcite precipitation is facilitated by the oxidation of oxalate by soil bacteria that contributes to the increase in pH in Biga soils. This is in contrast to conventional orthox soils. Therefore, three conditions are necessary for biologically induced precipitation of calcium carbonate in orthox soils associated with iroko trees: the presence of a large amount of oxalate (originating from the tree and fungi), the existence of an oxalotrophic flora for oxalate oxidation into carbonate, and a dry season.
  • Publication
    Accès libre
    Cycle du carbone et biominéralisation carbonatée en milieu continental: la diagénèse des phases oxalate-carbonate
    (Neuchâtel : Université de Neuchâtel, 2005) ;
    In terrestrial environments, the carbon sequestration pool in the global carbon cycle is almost entirely attributed to soil and plant organic carbon storage while soil mineral carbon is generally neglected. Nevertheless, significant biologically induced accumulations of carbonate have been observed in soils under the tropical tree "iroko" (Milicia excelsa). Without an input of calcium from carbonate sources in the system, these accumulations constitute a carbon sink by definition. Approximately 1.2. 10-4 to 2.3.10-3 PgC are not sequestered each year due to deforestation of irokos. This calculation is based on an average of 5.76 kg/yr of carbon sequestration by one tree and extrapolated for to the iroko population in Africa. This proposed quantification suggests that the iroko carbon sink is about one or two orders of magnitude less than some environments such as coral reefs or continental shelfes. Furthermore, this carbon sink is highly significant because the residence time of mineral carbon in carbonate-enriched soils associated with the irokos is 102 - 106 years, i.e. 100,000 times longer than soil organic matter residence time. These accumulations of carbonate are the result of the oxalate-carbonate transformation by oxalotrophic bacteria. The iroko tree provides a large amount of oxalate (a photosynthetic by-product), which once released in the soil, can be consumed by soil oxalotrophic bacteria. There are two consequences of this consumption: (i) carbonate ions are produced and available in the soil solution, (ii) and soil pH increases leading to favorable conditions for carbonate precipitation (in a primary acid soil with a pH around 5, the induced pH can reach 9). In the iroko ecosystem, biological agents are present and active at various scales. Termites and saprophytic fungi are involved in the release of oxalate crystals in the soil. Soil oxalotrophic bacteria are able to consume oxalate leading to CO32- production. Carbonate ions can be pumped by iroko roots, circulating into wood vessels in which they can form calcium carbonate crystals in the presence of calcium, when conditions are favorable. They can also precipitate as calcium carbonate in soil pores, depending on local conditions. Soil bacteria and fungi obviously influence precipitation of carbonate inside the soil. Moreover, regarding carbon isotopic signatures and crystallographic properties of needle fiber calcite (NFC) observed in surficial environments, including African soils, they result from a direct biogenic influence. The nomenclature of the various types of NFC has been reinterpreted regarding diagenesis and geochemical fingerprints. The possible biogenic origin of nanorods usually found in the presence of NFC is also discussed from new observations and experiments. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated the potential importance of the oxalate-carbonate pathway in the global carbon cycle, emphasizing the crucial interrelations between geological and biological processes.