The peatland microorganisms have a big impact on climate

Polyphenols are generally harmful to microorganisms. Scientists previously believed that microorganisms in peatlands avoided these toxins by using oxygen-dependent enzymes to break down polyphenols, and consequently, low oxygen levels in these environments limited microbial activity and carbon cycling. However, a new study has changed this perspective because the peatland microorganisms have a big impact on climate

Date	July 17, 2024
Source	DOE/US Department of Energy
Summary	A new study has revealed that Arctic peatland microorganisms possess alternative enzymes, capable of functioning both with and without oxygen, to degrade polyphenols. This discovery suggests that the carbon stored in these ecosystems is at greater risk of being released than previously thought.

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Study of Peatland Microorganisms

• In this study, researchers analyzed data from thousands of microbial genomes recovered from Stordalen Mire, an Arctic peatland in Sweden.
• They discovered that these microorganisms used alternative polyphenol-active enzymes, both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent.
• This finding highlights the significant role polyphenols play in peatland carbon dynamics and suggests that the carbon stored in these ecosystems is more vulnerable to being released into the atmosphere due to climate change than previously thought.

Why The peatland microorganisms have a big impact on climate

• Arctic peatlands store vast amounts of carbon, and as global temperatures rise and environments change, the stability of this stored carbon has become a major concern.
• Researchers examined the soil microbiome, studying the functions of thousands of microorganisms in an Arctic peatland ecosystem.
• Contrary to previous beliefs, the study revealed that many microorganisms can metabolize polyphenols.
• Scientists had previously considered these complex carbon compounds to be inert and crucial for carbon storage.
• With this new understanding, scientists can better predict the impacts of climate change on Arctic ecosystems and develop targeted strategies to mitigate these effects.

A New Understanding of Microbial Adaptation

Peatlands have long intrigued carbon reservoirs, yet the role of microorganisms in carbon cycling has remained unclear. This new research challenges the idea that peatland microorganisms only degrade polyphenols under oxygenated conditions using phenol oxidase. Drawing from insights from other oxygen-limited environments like the human gut and rumen, where alternative enzymes and pathways metabolize polyphenols, the research team developed a novel computational tool to quickly profile polyphenol metabolisms in microbial genomes.

Broader Implications and Future Research

Applying this tool to thousands of microbial genomes from an Arctic peatland revealed a surprising diversity of polyphenol-transforming biochemical pathways. Some microorganisms had a high number of these genes, indicating their strong capability to degrade polyphenols. Additionally, the findings highlight the adaptability of microbial gene expression to changing soil redox conditions across the landscape.

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Utility of This Research

By uncovering this hidden biochemistry, the research provides a new understanding of carbon cycling in these climate-critical ecosystems. These insights expand knowledge of microbial metabolism and emphasize the complex interplay between microorganisms and carbon dynamics in the context of climate change.

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