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Microbial Communities in the World's Largest Acidic Volcanic Lake, Kawah Ijen in Indonesia, and in the Banyupahit River Originating from It

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Abstract

A first study was made on the microbial community composition of the Indonesian crater lake Kawah Ijen (pH < 0.3) and the Banyupahit–Banyuputih river (pH 0.4–3.5) originating from it. Culture-independent, rRNA gene-based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was used to profile microbial communities in this natural and ancient, extremely acidic environment. Similarity in community profiles of the different sampling locations was low, indicating heterogeneity in community composition. Archaea were present at all sampling locations; archaeal diversity was low at the most acidic locations and increased at pH >2.6. Bacteria were not detected in the water column of the crater lake, but were found at all locations along the acidic river. Bacterial diversity increased with increasing pH. Eukarya were only present at pH >2.6. Retrieved rRNA gene sequences of Bacteria and Archaea were not closely related to known acidophilic species. It is concluded that tolerance to extreme acidity in this system is developed most extensively among Archaea. The acidity gradient of the Banyupahit–Banyuputih river has a clear effect on microbial community composition and biodiversity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Bapak Kelik Lrianto for assistance during the fieldwork and Hetty Schäfer, Nel Slimmen, and Bas van der Wagt for their help with the ICP analyses. The research permits were granted by Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia (LIPI), Jakarta. This work was supported by The Netherlands Foundation for the Advancement of Tropical Research (WOTRO), residing under the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), project number WAE 84-465.

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  1. Ansje J. Löhr

    Present address: Department of Animal Ecology, Institute of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Ecology, Institute of Ecological Science, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Nico M. van Straalen

  2. Department of Earth Sciences-Geochemistry, Faculty of Geosciences, Universiteit Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Anniet M. Laverman

  3. Department of Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Martin Braster & Wilfred F. M. Röling

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  1. Ansje J. Löhr
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Correspondence to Ansje J. Löhr.

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Löhr, A.J., Laverman, A.M., Braster, M. et al. Microbial Communities in the World's Largest Acidic Volcanic Lake, Kawah Ijen in Indonesia, and in the Banyupahit River Originating from It. Microb Ecol 52, 609–618 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-006-9068-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-006-9068-2

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