Comparing microbial communities in mucilage and seawater samples: Metagenomic insights into mucilage formation in the Marmara Sea


GÜNDOĞDU A., NALBANTOĞLU Ö. U., Karis G., Sarikaya I., Erdogan M. N., Hora M., ...More

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11356-024-34968-2
  • Journal Name: Environmental Science and Pollution Research
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, ABI/INFORM, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Comparative marine microbiome, Marine snow, Marmara Sea, Mucilage, Mucilage microbiome, Shotgun-metagenome sequencing
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Marine environments are subject to various naturally occurring phenomena, including marine snow and mucilage. In 2021, the rapid emergence of mucilage in the Marmara Sea raised concerns about its environmental impact. This study investigates the microbial communities in mucilage and seawater samples from the Marmara Sea using metagenomic-scale comparative analyses. The results indicate significant differences in microbial composition and diversity, with mucilage samples showing higher levels of polysaccharide biosynthesis-related enzymes. Over 50% of reads in mucilage samples remained unclassified (dark matter), highlighting unknown microbial taxa. Clean seawater was characterized by a higher presence of Euryarchaeota, Proteobacteria, and Rhodothermaeota, while Chlamydiae and Fusobacteria were dominant in mucilage. The study underscores the necessity for comprehensive metagenomic analyses to understand microbial roles in mucilage formation and persistence. Early detection of microbial shifts could serve as a warning system for mucilage outbreaks, aiding in the development of management strategies.