Comparison of Atmospheric and Lithospheric Culturable Bacterial Communities from Two Dissimilar Active Volcanic Sites, Surtsey Island and Fimmvörðuháls Mountain in Iceland

A comparative analysis of atmospheric and lithospheric bacterial communities at two distinct Icelandic volcanic sites—Surtsey Island and Fimmvörðuháls Mountain—revealed significant differences, with Surtsey's air hosting unique microbial populations. Using MALDI Biotyper analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, researchers identified 72 species across 40 genera, including potential new species, predominantly from the Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla. Back trajectory analysis suggested that 85% of isolates originated locally, while 15% traveled long distances. Taxonomic proportions mirrored the sites' environmental characteristics, offering insights into microbial dispersal dynamics in volcanic ecosystems.

Daussin, A., Vannier, P., Ménager, M., Daboussy, L., Šantl-Temkiv, T., Cockell, C., & Marteinsson, V. Þ. (2023). Comparison of Atmospheric and Lithospheric Culturable Bacterial Communities from Two Dissimilar Active Volcanic Sites, Surtsey Island and Fimmvörðuháls Mountain in Iceland. Microorganisms, 11(3), 665. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030665