Extreme abiotics drive sediment biocomplexity along pH gradients in a shallow submarine volcanic vent

C Andolina; G Cilluffo; V Zammuto; G Signa; M Papale; A Lo Giudice; R Di Leonardo; V Costa; L Ciriminna; A Tomasello; C Gugliandolo; S Vizzini

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117470

Extreme abiotics drive sediment biocomplexity along pH gradients in a shallow submarine volcanic vent

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 Dec 21:211:117470. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117470. Online ahead of print.

Authors

C Andolina¹, G Cilluffo², V Zammuto³, G Signa¹, M Papale⁴, A Lo Giudice⁵, R Di Leonardo⁶, V Costa⁷, L Ciriminna⁸, A Tomasello¹, C Gugliandolo³, S Vizzini¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy.
² Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy. Electronic address: giovanna.cilluffo@unipa.it.
³ CoNISMa, National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy; Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmacological and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, V.le Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
⁴ CoNISMa, National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy; Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Spianata San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy.
⁵ National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy; Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council (CNR-ISP), Spianata San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy.
⁶ Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy.
⁷ Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, CRIMAC, Calabria Marine Centre, Amendolara, Italy.
⁸ Department of Earth and Marine Sciences, University of Palermo, via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy; CoNISMa, National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Roma, Italy.

PMID: 39709777
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117470

Abstract

Volcanic emissions in shallow vents influence the biogeochemistry of the sedimentary compartment, creating marked abiotic gradients. We assessed the spatial dynamics of the sediment compartment, as for the composition and origin of organic matter and associated prokaryotic community, in a volcanic shallow CO₂ vent (Vulcano Island, Italy). Based on elemental (carbon, nitrogen content and their ratio) and isotopic composition (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S), the contribution of vent-derived organic matter (microbial mats) to sedimentary organic matter was high close to the vent, while the marine-derived end-members (seagrasses) contributed highly at increasing distance. Chemoautotrophic Campylobacterota and hyperthermophilic Achaea prevailed close to the vent, whilst phototrophic and chemoheterotrophic members dominated at increasing distance. Abiotic gradients generated by the volcanic CO₂ vent drive relevant changes in the composition, origin and nutritional quality of sedimentary organic matter, and influence the structure and complexity of associated prokaryotic communities, with expected relevant impact on the entire food-web.

Keywords: Carbon; Nitrogen; Ocean acidification; Prokaryotic community; Stable isotopes; Sulphur.