Microbiomes in Soils Exposed to Naturally High Concentrations of CO(2) (Bossoleto Mofette Tuscany, Italy)

Direct and indirect effects of extremely high geogenic CO(2) levels, commonly occurring in volcanic and hydrothermal environments, on biogeochemical processes in soil are poorly understood. This study investigated a sinkhole in Italy where long-term emissions of thermometamorphic-derived CO(2) are associated with accumulation of carbon in the topsoil and removal of inorganic carbon in low pH environments at the bottom of the sinkhole. The comparison between interstitial soil gasses and those collected in an adjacent bubbling pool and the analysis of the carbon isotopic composition of CO(2) and CH(4) clearly indicated the occurrence of CH(4) oxidation and negligible methanogenesis in soils at the bottom of the sinkhole. Extremely high CO(2) concentrations resulted in higher microbial abundance (up to 4 × 10(9) cell g(–1) DW) and a lower microbial diversity by favoring bacteria already reported to be involved in acetogenesis in mofette soils (i.e., Firmicutes, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria). Laboratory incubations to test the acetogenic and methanogenic potential clearly showed that all the mofette soil supplied with hydrogen gas displayed a remarkable CO(2) fixation potential, primarily due to the activity of acetogenic microorganisms. By contrast, negligible production of acetate occurred in control tests incubated with the same soils, under identical conditions, without the addition of hydrogen. In this study, we report how changes in diversity and functions of the soil microbial community – induced by high CO(2) concentration – create peculiar biogeochemical profile. CO(2) emission affects carbon cycling through: (i) inhibition of the decomposition of the organic carbon and (ii) promotion of CO(2)-fixation via the acetyl-CoA pathway. Sites naturally exposed to extremely high CO(2) levels could potentially represent an untapped source of microorganisms with unique capabilities to catalytically convert CO(2) into valuable organic chemicals and fuels.