Structural and functional analyses on a laminated microbial sediment ecosystem (Farbstreifensandwatt; St. Peter-Ording)

Laminated microbial sediment ecosystems are composed of vertically stratified microbial communities of phototrophic, chemotrophic, and heterotrophic organisms. Phototrophic organisms are the most conspicuous, with a green/brown layer of eukaryotic algae and prokaryotic cyanobacteria on top and a purple layer underneath formed by purple sulfur bacteria. Underneath, the sediment is blackened by FeS formation resulting from the production of sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria. The distinctively colored horizontal lamination caused the german name “Farbstreifensandwatt” (color strip sand flat).
In order to obtain a deeper understanding of the community structure and the microbially induced processes, we/I used a multimethod approach including chemotaxonomic investigations, microsensor measurements (in close collaboration with Anja Kamp) and 13C-labeling experiments.

Funding: MARUM Fellowship
Mentor: Kai-Uwe Hinrichs
Collaborations: Anja Kamp, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
Stephanie Ho, Summer Student Fellow 2008 from University of Irvine, USA

Solveig Bühring and Anja Kamp sampling Farbstreifensandwatt in St. Peter-Ording