Project: Bacterial Taxa that Control Sulfur Flux from the Ocean to the Atmosphere

Acronym/Short Name:OceanSulfurFluxBact
Project Duration:2014-01 - 2018-12

Description

Surface ocean bacterioplankton preside over a divergence point in the marine sulfur cycle where the fate of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is determined. While it is well recognized that this juncture influences the fate of sulfur in the ocean and atmosphere, its regulation by bacterioplankton is not yet understood. Based on recent findings in biogeochemistry, bacterial physiology, bacterial genetics, and ocean instrumentation, the microbial oceanography community is poised to make major advances in knowledge of this control point. This research project is ascertaining how the major taxa of bacterial DMSP degraders in seawater regulate DMSP transformations, and addresses the implications of bacterial functional, genetic, and taxonomic diversity for global sulfur cycling.

The project is founded on the globally important function of bacterial transformation of the ubiquitous organic sulfur compound DMSP in ocean surface waters. Recent genetic discoveries have identified key genes in the two major DMSP degradation pathways, and the stage is now set to identify the factors that regulate gene expression to favor one or the other pathway during DMSP processing. The taxonomy of the bacteria mediating DMSP cycling has been deduced from genomic and metagenomic sequencing surveys to include four major groups of surface ocean bacterioplankton. How regulation of DMSP degradation differs among these groups and maps to phylogeny in co-occurring members is key information for understanding the marine sulfur cycle and predicting its function in a changing ocean. Using model organism studies, microcosm experiments (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab, AL), and time-series field studies with an autonomous sample collection instrument (at Monterey Bay, CA), this project is taking a taxon-specific approach to decipher the regulation of bacterial DMSP degradation.

This research addresses fundamental questions of how the diversity of microbial life influences the geochemical environment of the oceans and atmosphere, linking the genetic basis of metabolic potential to taxonomic diversity. The project is training graduate students and post-doctoral scholars in microbial biodiversity and providing research opportunities and mentoring for undergraduate students. An outreach program is enhance understanding of the role and diversity of marine microorganisms in global elemental cycles among high school students. Advanced Placement Biology students are participating in marine microbial research that covers key learning goals in the AP Biology curriculum. Two high school students are selected each year for summer research internships in PI laboratories.


DatasetLatest Version DateCurrent State
Metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and single cell sequencing data from an Environmental Sample Processor deployment in Monterey Bay, CA in 2016.2020-03-20Final no updates expected
Environmental data from Niskin bottle sampling during the Fall 2016 ESP deployment in Monterey Bay, CA2019-11-08Final no updates expected
Environmental data from CTD during the Fall 2016 ESP deployment in Monterey Bay, CA2019-02-20Final no updates expected
Metagenomic, and single cell sequencing data from a Fall 2014 ESP deployment in Monterey Bay, CA2019-01-22Data not available
Environmental data collected during a deployment of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) in Fall, 2014 in Monterey Bay, CA2019-01-22Data not available
Transcriptional profile of marine bacterium Ruegeria pomeroyi in a three-member co-culture study2017-11-29Final no updates expected
Taxonomy and abundance of microbial cells (phytoplankon and heterotrophic bacteria) during a deployment of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) in Fall, 2014 in Monterey Bay, CA2016-10-25Final no updates expected
Cell abundance, nutrient and DMSP concentrations measured during a mesocosm study of the effect of phytoplankton composition on bacterial DMSP transformation (OceanSulfurFluxBact project)2016-10-25Final no updates expected
Environmental data collected by CTD during a deployment of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) in Fall, 2014 in Monterey Bay, CA2016-10-25Final no updates expected
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) concentrations and turnover during a deployment of the Environmental Sample Processor in Fall, 2014 in Monterey Bay, CA2016-10-25Final no updates expected

People

Lead Principal Investigator: Mary Ann Moran
University of Georgia (UGA)

Co-Principal Investigator: James M. Birch
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

Co-Principal Investigator: Ronald P. Kiene
University of South Alabama (USA)

Co-Principal Investigator: Dr Chris Scholin
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

Co-Principal Investigator: William Whitman
University of Georgia (UGA)

Contact: Mary Ann Moran
University of Georgia (UGA)


Programs

Dimensions of Biodiversity [Dimensions of Biodiversity]


Data Management Plan

DMP_Moran_et_al_DEB.pdf (165.80 KB)
02/09/2025