THE MICROBIAL DIVERSITY PRESENT IN A TROPICAL, CIRCUMNEUTRAL IRON SPRING IN GRENADA

Abstract

Microbial evolution has allowed for microbial adaptation to many diverse and harsh environments. As a result, microbial diversity varies spatially, depending on the environmental pressures that are limiting. This research focused on uncovering the microbial diversity present in a Tropical Iron Spring in the Caribbean island, Grenada. Any microorganism from this island is expected to be genetically unique due to its spatial isolation and unique chemical composition of the water and gas in the Spring. The diversity was discovered using both culture dependent and culture independent techniques. Microorganisms were visualized and quantified using Florescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) in conjunction with both florescent and light microscopy. Culture based analysis was used to isolate iron oxidizing autotrophic microbes. Temporal Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (TGGE) and Cloning were used to screen and isolate individual microbial species. Results indicated the possibility of microbes involved in carbon cycling, nitrogen cycling and iron cycling. In addition, the results point to the likelihood of a microbial community that is self-sustained or requires very few external resources. Such microbial ingenuity may help to provide greater knowledge on the aspects of energy conservation and mineral recyclin