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Environmental factors controlling the spatiotemporal distribution of microbial communities in a coastal, sandy aquifer system (Doñana, southwest Spain)

Facteurs environnementaux contrôlant la distribution spatiotemporelle des colonies microbiennes dans un système aquifère côtier, sableux (Donana, Sud Ouest de l’Espagne)

Factores ambientales que controlan la distribución espacio temporal de comunidades microbianas en un sistema acuífero arenoso costero (Doñana, sudoeste de España)

滨海砂质含水层系统中控制微生物群落时空分布的环境因素 (西班牙西南部多那那)

Factores ambientais no controlo da distribuição espaço-temporal de comunidades microbianas num sistema aquífero arenoso costeiro (Doñana, sudoeste de Espanha)

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Abstract

Currently, aquifers are considered to be ecosystems that interchange materials and energy with other systems located in their surroundings. The aquifer system of Doñana (southwest Spain) has been studied over recent decades from a hydrogeological point of view, although nothing is known about its biological or ecological aspects. In order to describe the general characteristics of its microbial communities, bacterial abundance, cell biomass, bacterial biomass and microbial activities of functional groups were investigated by sampling, over a 2-year period, 13 wells located in the vicinity of four very productive shallow lakes in the most superficial part of this coastal, sandy aquifer system. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated differences in abundance and biomass variables among sampling locations, seasons and sampling locations × seasons. Principal component analysis showed that temperature and dissolved oxygen appeared to be the most important factors controlling the temporal variability of microbial communities. Hydrological connectivity between surface water and groundwater was important in the control of the spatiotemporal distribution of microbial communities. Due to this hydrological connection, the aquifer system and the wetlands constitute a unique entity, a unique ecosystem, called the “hydroecosystem”, where microbial communities could play a central ecological role.

Résumé

D’une manière générale, les aquifères sont considérés comme des écosystèmes qui échangent de la matière et de l’énergie avec d’autres systèmes situés dans leur entourage. Le système aquifère de Donana (Sud Ouest de l’Espagne) a été étudié durant les dernières décennies d’un point de vue hydrogéologique, bien que rient ne soit connu de ses caractéristiques biologiques ou écologiques. Afin de décrire les caractéristiques générales de ses populations microbiennes, de l’abondance des bactéries, de la biomasse cellulaire, de la biomasse bactérienne et de l’activité microbienne de groupes fonctionnels 13 puits situés au voisinage de quatre lacs peu profonds très productifs dans la partie la plus superficielle de ce système aquifère côtier, sableux ont été analysés à partir d’un échantillonnage pendant une période de deux ans. L’analyse multivariable de la variance (MANOVA) a montré des différences d’abondance et de modifications de la biomasse selon les emplacements d’échantillonnage, les saisons et les emplacements d’échantillonnage x saisons. L’analyse de la composante principale a montré que la température et l’oxygène dissous se révélaient comme étant les facteurs essentiels contrôlant les fluctuations au cours du temps des populations microbiennes. La connexion hydrologique entre l’eau de surface et l’eau souterraine était importante pour le contrôle de la répartition spatiotemporelle des populations microbiennes. Du fait de cette connexion hydrologique, le système aquifère et les zones humides forment une seule entité, un écosystème unique, appelé “hydroécosystème”, où les populations microbiennes pourraient jouer un rôle écologique majeur.

Resumen

Actualmente se consideran a los acuíferos como ecosistemas que intercambian materiales y energía con otros sistemas situados en su entorno. El sistema acuífero de Doñana (al sudoeste España) se ha estudiado durante las últimas décadas desde un punto de vista hidrogeológico, aunque nada se conoce acerca de sus aspectos biológicos o ecológicos. Con la finalidad de describir las características generales de sus comunidades microbianas, abundancia bacteriana, biomasa de células, biomasa bacteriana y actividades microbianas de grupos funcionales se investigaron por muestreo 13 pozos ubicados en las cercanías de cuatro lagos muy productivos poco profundos en la parte más superficial de este sistema acuífero arenoso costero, durante un período de dos años. El análisis multivariados de varianza (MANOVA) indicó diferencias en las variables de abundancia y la biomasa entre los lugares de muestreo, estaciones y lugares de muestreo por estaciones. El análisis de componente principal mostró que la temperatura y el oxígeno disuelto parecían ser los factores más importantes que controlaban la variabilidad temporal de las comunidades microbianas. La conectividad hidrológica entre las aguas superficiales y subterráneas fue importante en el control de la distribución espacio temporal de las comunidades microbianas. Debido a esta conexión hidrológica, el sistema acuífero y los humedales constituyen una entidad singular, un ecosistema único, llamado “hidroecosistema”, donde las comunidades microbianas podrían desempeñar un papel ecológico central.

摘要

当前, 含水层被认为是与其周围其它系统进行物质和能量相互交换的生态系统。尽管对于西班牙西南部多那那含水层系统中生物或生态方面缺乏了解, 但是近几十年来, 对其水文地质的研究一直在进行。为了描述其微生物群落的基本特征, 对位于该滨海砂质含水层系统最浅部的四个高产浅湖附近的13口井进行了历时两年的取样, 调查了细菌丰度, 细胞生物量、细菌生物量和功能群的微生物活性。多元方差分析 (MANOVA) 表明, 丰度和生物量随取样点、季节及取样时间不同而变化。主元分析表明, 温度和溶解氧是控制微生物群落时间变异的最重要的因素。地表水和地下水之间的水力连通性对于控制微生物群落的时空分布具有重要作用。由于这种水力联系, 含水层系统和湿地组成了一个独特的整体、一种独特的生态系统 ,称作水文生态系统, 其中的微生物群落可起到核心的生态作用。

Resumo

Os aquíferos são considerados actualmente como sendo ecossistemas que trocam matéria e energia com outros sistemas localizados nas suas proximidades. O sistema aquífero de Doñana (sudoeste de Espanha) foi estudado ao longo das últimas décadas sob o ponto de vista hidrogeológico e, não obstante, nada se conhece relativamente aos seus aspectos biológicos e ecológicos. Com o objectivo de descrever as caracteristícas gerais das suas comunidades microbianas, foram investigadas a abundância bacteriana, a biomassa celular, a biomassa bacteriana e as actividades microbianas de grupos funcionais a partir de amostragem, durante dois anos, em 13 poços localizados na vizinhança de quatro lagos pouco profundos e muito produtivos, na parte mais superficial do sistema aquífero arenoso costeiro. A análise multivariada da variância (MANOVA) revelou diferenças na abundância e nas variáveis de biomassa entre diferentes pontos de amostragem, estações do ano e locais de amostragem × estações. A análise de componentes principais mostrou que a temperatura e o oxigénio dissolvido parecem ser os factores mais importantes no controlo da variabilidade temporal das comunidades microbianas. A conectividade hidráulica entre a água superficial e a água subterrânea foi importante no controlo da distribuição espacio-temporal das comunidades microbianas. Devido a esta conexão hidráulica, o sistema aquífero e as zonas húmidas constituem uma entidade única, um ecossistema único, denominado “hidroecossistema”, no qual as comunidades microbianas podem desempenhar um papel ecológico central.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Spanish CICYT grant No. REN2002-10221-E/HID. Sergio Velasco was supported by a personal grant from the Spanish Department of Education and Science (FPI-2001–2175). We thank Dr. D. L. Balkwill and Dr. A. C. Smith for discussion and manuscript review, as well as for help with the English text. We thank Dr. M. Manzano and I. Núñez for reviewing hydrogeological concepts. We also thank the Doñana Biological Reserve staff for field help.

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  1. Dirección de Estudios, Agua y Medio Ambiente, Área de Medio Ambiente Hídrico, Centro de Estudios Hidrográficos, CEDEX, Paseo bajo de la Virgen del Puerto 3, 28005, Madrid, Spain

    Sergio Velasco Ayuso

  2. Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    Pablo Acebes, Ana Isabel López-Archilla, Carlos Montes & María del Carmen Guerrero

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  1. Sergio Velasco Ayuso
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Correspondence to Sergio Velasco Ayuso.

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Velasco Ayuso, S., Acebes, P., López-Archilla, A.I. et al. Environmental factors controlling the spatiotemporal distribution of microbial communities in a coastal, sandy aquifer system (Doñana, southwest Spain). Hydrogeol J 17, 767–780 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-008-0397-8

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