Energetic convergence drives metabolic adaptation in lirima chilean high-altitude hydrothermal system
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: High-altitude hydrothermal systems provide laboratories for understanding microbial adaptation to extreme conditions. Here we investigated thermodynamic controls on metabolic transitions in Lirima hydrothermal system (Chile, 4000 meters above sea level) calculating affinities of competing carbon and sulfur reactions across pools (53–75 °C). Through geochemistry, numerical thermodynamic modeling, and stable isotope analysis, we identify Energetic Convergence Nodes where chemical affinities of competing pathways become equal. Calculations reveal hydrogenotrophic and carboxydotrophic methanogenesis converge with sulfate reduction at 63–64 °C. This corresponds with responses: carbon isotopes shift from −17.2‰ to −27.7‰, sulfur isotopes from −20.5‰ to −9.1‰, and carbon-to-sulfur ratios drop from ~10 to <1, indicating transition from carbon to sulfur-dominated metabolism. Microbial activity collapses at this temperature, while metagenomics validates both pathways. Independent analysis confirms convergence at 63–64 °C, establishing Energetic Convergence Nodes as predictive frameworks for metabolic boundaries with applications for early Earth biogeochemistry and extraterrestrial biosignature detection. Equal affinities of competing reactions at an energetic convergence node demonstrated a metabolic transition in the high-altitude Lirima hydrothermal system of Chile, according to combined geochemistry, thermodynamic modeling, stable isotope analysis, microbial activity measurements, and metagenomics.
Institutions: Universidad Católica del Norte, University of Palermo, Universidad de Playa Ancha de Ciencias de la Educación, The University of Adelaide, University of Concepción, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Universidad de Antofagasta, University of Glasgow, University of West Florida, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, INGV Sezione di Palermo, Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council, University of Florence
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Chemistry
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,490
Awards: G1289675754, G1770551368, G223245891, G3080971478, G3849882175, G5174624557, NITROGEN RECYCLING IN HIGH-ALTITUDE HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS KEY PLAYERS AND METABOLIC CAPABILITIES SUPPORTING THE THERMOPHILIC MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES, MICROBIAL COMPLEXITY GRADIENTS IN POLYEXTREME ENVIRONMENTS, G5632195787, NITRITE LOOP IN AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS AN EXAMPLE OF ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME COOPERATION ON NITROGEN CYCLE, G6403750706, MACROCYSTIS RESPONSES TO NUTRIENT LIMITATION THE RELEVANCE OF EPIPHYTIC MICROBIAL TO DEAL WITH STRESS CONDITIONS, HYDROTHERMAL ENVIRONMENTS A WINDOW TO UNDERSTAND MICROBIAL LIFE DURING THE EARLY EARTH, GEOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL FACTORS CONTROLLING THE MOBILIZATION OF GEOGENIC ARSENIC AND CHROMIUM IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS OF CHILE, STUDY OF THE ADAPTIVE GENETIC VARIATION IN THERMOPHILIC ARCHAEA FROM A MICRO- AND MACRO-EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE
OpenAlex ID: W4416107454