Dataset Information

Changes in global groundwater organic carbon driven by climate change and urbanization.

ABSTRACT: Climate change and urbanization can increase pressures on groundwater resources, but little is known about how groundwater quality will change. Here, we use a global synthesis (n?=?9,404) to reveal the drivers of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which is an important component of water chemistry and substrate for microorganisms that control biogeochemical reactions. Dissolved inorganic chemistry, local climate and land use explained ~ 31% of observed variability in groundwater DOC, whilst aquifer age explained an additional 16%. We identify a 19% increase in DOC associated with urban land cover. We predict major groundwater DOC increases following changes in precipitation and temperature in key areas relying on groundwater. Climate change and conversion of natural or agricultural areas to urban areas will decrease groundwater quality and increase water treatment costs, compounding existing constraints on groundwater resources.

SUBMITTER: McDonough LK

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7062877 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Changes in global groundwater organic carbon driven by climate change and urbanization.

McDonough Liza K LK Santos Isaac R IR Andersen Martin S MS O'Carroll Denis M DM Rutlidge Helen H Meredith Karina K Oudone Phetdala P Bridgeman John J Gooddy Daren C DC Sorensen James P R JPR Lapworth Dan J DJ MacDonald Alan M AM Ward Jade J Baker Andy A

Nature communications 20200309 1

Climate change and urbanization can increase pressures on groundwater resources, but little is known about how groundwater quality will change. Here, we use a global synthesis (n = 9,404) to reveal the drivers of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which is an important component of water chemistry and substrate for microorganisms that control biogeochemical reactions. Dissolved inorganic chemistry, local climate and land use explained ~ 31% of observed variability in groundwater DOC, whilst aquifer ...[more]

PMID: 32152271

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Project description:Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) have revealed the existence of novel bacterial and archaeal groups and provided insight into their genetic potential. However, metagenomics and even metatranscriptomics cannot resolve how the genetic potential translates into metabolic functions and physiological activity. Here, we present a novel approach for the quantitative and organism-specific assessment of the carbon flux through microbial communities with stable isotope probing-metaproteomics and integration of temporal dynamics in 13C incorporation by Stable Isotope Cluster Analysis (SIsCA). We used groundwater microcosms labeled with 13CO2 and D2O as model systems and stimulated them with reduced sulfur compounds to determine the ecosystem role of chemolithoautotrophic primary production. Raman microspectroscopy detected rapid deuterium incorporation in microbial cells from 12 days onwards, indicating activity of the groundwater organisms. SIsCA revealed that groundwater microorganisms fell into five distinct carbon assimilation strategies. Only one of these strategies, comprising less than 3.5% of the community, consisted of obligate autotrophs (Thiobacillus), with a 13C incorporation of approximately 95%. Instead, mixotrophic growth was the most successful strategy, and was represented by 12 of the 15 MAGs expressing pathways for autotrophic CO2 fixation, including Hydrogenophaga, Polaromonas and Dechloromonas, with varying 13C incorporation between 5% and 90%. Within 21 days, 43% of carbon in the community was replaced by 13C, increasing to 80% after 70 days. Of the 31 most abundant MAGs, 16 expressed pathways for sulfur oxidation, including strict heterotrophs. We concluded that chemolithoautotrophy drives the recycling of organic carbon and serves as a fill-up function in the groundwater. Mixotrophs preferred the uptake of organic carbon over the fixation of CO2, and heterotrophs oxidize inorganic compounds to preserve organic carbon. Our study showcases how next-generation physiology approach like SIsCA can move beyond metagenomics studies by providing information about expression of metabolic pathways and elucidating the role of MAGs in ecosystem functioning.

Dataset Information

Changes in global groundwater organic carbon driven by climate change and urbanization.

Publications

Changes in global groundwater organic carbon driven by climate change and urbanization.

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