title: Pyrosequencing-Based Assessment of the Microbial Community Structure of Pastoruri Glacier Area (Huascarán National Park, Perú), a Natural Extreme Acidic Environment.
abstract: The exposure of fresh sulfide-rich lithologies by the retracement of the Nevado Pastoruri glacier (Central Andes, Perú) is increasing the presence of heavy metals in the water as well as decreasing the pH, producing an acid rock drainage (ARD) process in the area. We describe the microbial communities of an extreme ARD site in Huascarán National Park as well as their correlation with the water physicochemistry. Microbial biodiversity was analyzed by FLX 454 sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The suggested geomicrobiological model of the area distinguishes three different zones. The proglacial zone is located in the upper part of the valley, where the ARD process is not evident yet. Most of the OTUs detected in this area were related to sequences associated with cold environments (i.e., psychrotolerant species of Cyanobacteria or Bacteroidetes). After the proglacial area, an ARD-influenced zone appeared, characterized by the presence of phylotypes related to acidophiles (Acidiphilium) as well as other species related to acidic and cold environments (i.e., acidophilic species of Chloroflexi, Clostridium and Verrumicrobia). Sulfur- and iron-oxidizing acidophilic bacteria (Acidithiobacillus) were also identified. The post-ARD area was characterized by the presence of OTUs related to microorganisms detected in soils, permafrost, high mountain environments, and deglaciation areas (Sphingomonadales, Caulobacter or Comamonadaceae).
authors.affiliation: Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: González-Toril
authors.affiliation: Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Rios Rosas 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Santofimia
authors.affiliation: Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Yolanda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.affiliation: Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, Rios Rosas 23, 28003, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: López-Pamo
authors.affiliation: Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.affiliation: Departamento Académico de Ciencias Ambientales. Facultad de Recursos Naturales Renovables, Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva, Avenida Universitaria S/N. Tingo María, Huánuco, Perú
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bobadilla
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo, Avenida Centenario N 200, Huaraz, Ancash, Perú
authors.forename: Rolando
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Nacional Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo, Avenida Centenario N 200, Huaraz, Ancash, Perú
authors.forename: Edwin Julio
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Palomino
authors.affiliation: Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850, Madrid, Spain. aguileraba@cab.inta-csic.es.
authors.forename: Ángeles
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Aguilera
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D044822:Biodiversity; D003080:Cold Temperature; D017753:Ecosystem; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D046448:Ice Cover / Q000382:microbiology*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D000068316:Parks, Recreational; D010568:Peru; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics*; D012987:Soil; D013440:Sulfides / Q000378:metabolism; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012987:Soil; D013440:Sulfides; D014867:Water; D013455:Sulfur; D007501:Iron
keywords: Acid rock drainage; Acidophiles; Extreme environments; Extremophiles; Massive sequencing