High hydrostatic pressure stimulates n-C16 mineralization to CO2 by deep-ocean bacterium Alcanivorax xenomutans A28
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Medium-chain alkanes have strong ecological impacts on marine ecosystems due to their persistence, toxicity, and ability to travel long distances. Microbial degradation is the dominant and ultimate removal process for n-alkanes in the deep ocean, where high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) regulates microbial activity. To gain insight into the impact of hydrostatic pressure (HP) on n-alkane degradation, we applied the deep-ocean experimental simulation to culture Alcanivorax xenomutans A28, a novel piezotolerant bacterium strain from trench sediment, with n-C16 as the sole carbon source under different HPs (0.1, 40, and 80 MPa). Activity analysis demonstrated that HHP stimulated the n-C16 complete mineralization ratio. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that HHP induced the intracellular oxidative stress and accelerated the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. These results indicate a shift of n-alkanes biodegradation pattern regulated by HP, elucidating the fate and ecological risk of n-alkanes in the deep ocean. Microbial n-alkane degradation under high hydrostatic pressure reveals prolonged alkane preservation and elevated CO2 production risks in deep oceans.
Source: Communications Biology
Authors: Huaying Lin, Yongxin Lv, Yu Zhang
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,190
OpenAlex ID: W4407611133