Bacterial contribution to nitrogen processing in the atmosphere

Abstract

This study investigates potential microbial interactions with nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere, with a focus on inorganic forms (mainly NH4+, NO3-, and N2). The reanalysis of metagenomes and metatranscriptomes from cloud-free and cloudy air masses collected at the mountain site of puy de Dôme (1465 m a.s.l., France) indicates equivalent representation of genes involved in organic and inorganic nitrogen utilization processes. Glutamate metabolism and denitrification (in particular nitrite reduction) contributed most (70 %) of the microbial sequences of genes and transcripts linked to nitrogen utilization pathways. Other prevalent processes included assimilatory and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, and nitrogen fixation, with the latter being overexpressed in particular during clear atmospheric conditions. The screening of bacteria isolates revealed that 15 % of them carry the biomarker gene for biological N2 fixation (nifH). In addition, laboratory incubations of rainwater points towards the processing of NH4+. The decay rate of NH4+ concentration correlated positively with the relative abundance of Sphingomonadales, and negatively with that of Burkholderiales. The latter may rather obtain nitrogen from N2 and organic forms. Overall, these results demonstrate multiple potential microbiological roles in the processing of inorganic nitrogen in the atmosphere, in relation with atmospheric conditions and microbial diversity. This opens up new perspectives in our understanding of biogeochemical cycles and chemical processing in the atmosphere, as well as microbial functioning in this major part of the Earth system. Graphical Abstract. Representation of inorganic nitrogen cycle mediated by microorganisms in the atmosphere. Colors correspond to different steps in inorganic nitrogen cycle processes by atmospheric microorganisms The grey cloud indicates the cloud conditions, the sun indicates the clear atmosphere condition and the empty set indicates that this step does not occur in the atmosphere