SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Recovery of sub-chemocline biofilm samples from meromictic Green Lake
(Fayetteville, NY) using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)
Thomas Blanchard ’17, Jonah Boucher ‘17, Hannah Corman ’16, Christopher Loan ‘15 and Professor
Michael McCormick
Green Lake in Fayetteville, NY was formed approximately 13,000 years ago as falling glacial meltwater
carved out a deep basin in the Syracuse Formation. The basin reaches depths of 55 meters and is situated
within Green Lake State Park. Green Lake is meromictic, meaning it is composed of non-mixing water
layers, each with unique geochemical properties. The bottom layer, or monimolimniom, is anoxic and
sulfide rich, whereas the top layer, or mixolimnion, is well oxygenated but nutrient poor. The region of
contact between these layers, known as the chemocline, exhibits dramatic shifts in chemical composition.
In the spring of 2013, members of the McCormick lab discovered patches of white bacterial biofilms
growing along the lake basin wall below the chemocline. The patches resemble colonies of sulfide-
oxidizing bacteria previously described in marine environments at the interface between sulfide rich
sediments and oxygenated sea water. Our objective was to obtain samples of the biofilm in order to
identify the bacteria and better understand the geochemical conditions that permit these biofilms to grow
in Green Lake. For that purpose a custom-engineered Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), equipped with
camera, sampling syringe, and light, was employed to locate and acquire fragments of the biofilm.
Brightfield microscopy revealed the biofilm to consist primarily of fine filaments aggregated in strands
covered with small particles, which we suspect to be elemental sulfur. The presence of intra- or extra-
cellular sulfur particles is characteristic of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, supporting our hypothesis that these
are bacteria may be related to those found in marine environments. This semester we will extract genomic
DNA from these samples and use small ribosomal subunit (16s rRNA) sequencing to better identify
members of the biofilm community.

More Related Content

What's hot

Paleoceanography
PaleoceanographyPaleoceanography
Paleoceanography
Dedy Aslam
 
Modern carbonate environments
Modern carbonate environmentsModern carbonate environments
Modern carbonate environments
Behrooz Esrafili-Dizaji
 
Carbonate Depositional Systems
Carbonate Depositional SystemsCarbonate Depositional Systems
Carbonate Depositional Systems
William W. Little
 
Sedimentary questions
Sedimentary questions Sedimentary questions
Sedimentary questions
PurvaPandey3
 
Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites
Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites
Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites
Omar Radwan
 
Nano minerals & their formation
Nano minerals & their formationNano minerals & their formation
Nano minerals & their formation
Pramoda Raj
 
Foraminifera in coastal studies
Foraminifera in coastal studiesForaminifera in coastal studies
Foraminifera in coastal studies
Prof Simon Haslett
 
Planktons, diatoms and forensics
Planktons, diatoms and forensicsPlanktons, diatoms and forensics
Planktons, diatoms and forensics
RitujaGharote
 
Carbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_Radwan
Carbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_RadwanCarbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_Radwan
Carbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_Radwan
Omar Radwan
 
Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...
Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...
Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...
MACE Lab
 
Field lab assingment part 1
Field lab assingment part 1Field lab assingment part 1
Field lab assingment part 1
Edward Cox
 
General features and structure of cyanobacteria
General features and structure of cyanobacteriaGeneral features and structure of cyanobacteria
General features and structure of cyanobacteria
RAMESHVELCHAMY
 
Morphology of ostracods
Morphology  of ostracodsMorphology  of ostracods
Morphology of ostracods
Pramoda Raj
 
Morphology of foramnifera
Morphology of foramniferaMorphology of foramnifera
Morphology of foramnifera
Pramoda Raj
 
Biogeochemical anomalies
Biogeochemical anomaliesBiogeochemical anomalies
Biogeochemical anomalies
Pramoda Raj
 
Application of microfossil in fossil fuel exploration
Application of microfossil in  fossil fuel explorationApplication of microfossil in  fossil fuel exploration
Application of microfossil in fossil fuel exploration
Pramoda Raj
 
Paleoecology
Paleoecology Paleoecology
Paleoecology
Pramoda Raj
 
Holocene sediment
Holocene sedimentHolocene sediment
Holocene sediment
muhd nur ismail abdul rahman
 
Flax fiber production
Flax fiber productionFlax fiber production
Flax fiber production
Ahmed Mayla
 
Biochemical anomolies
Biochemical anomolies Biochemical anomolies
Biochemical anomolies
Pramoda Raj
 

What's hot (20)

Paleoceanography
PaleoceanographyPaleoceanography
Paleoceanography
 
Modern carbonate environments
Modern carbonate environmentsModern carbonate environments
Modern carbonate environments
 
Carbonate Depositional Systems
Carbonate Depositional SystemsCarbonate Depositional Systems
Carbonate Depositional Systems
 
Sedimentary questions
Sedimentary questions Sedimentary questions
Sedimentary questions
 
Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites
Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites
Formation of lithified micritic laminae in modern marine stromatolites
 
Nano minerals & their formation
Nano minerals & their formationNano minerals & their formation
Nano minerals & their formation
 
Foraminifera in coastal studies
Foraminifera in coastal studiesForaminifera in coastal studies
Foraminifera in coastal studies
 
Planktons, diatoms and forensics
Planktons, diatoms and forensicsPlanktons, diatoms and forensics
Planktons, diatoms and forensics
 
Carbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_Radwan
Carbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_RadwanCarbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_Radwan
Carbonate compensation depth (CCD): Thermodynamics_Radwan
 
Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...
Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...
Abstract: Crabs, heavy metals and near future ocean acidification - what do w...
 
Field lab assingment part 1
Field lab assingment part 1Field lab assingment part 1
Field lab assingment part 1
 
General features and structure of cyanobacteria
General features and structure of cyanobacteriaGeneral features and structure of cyanobacteria
General features and structure of cyanobacteria
 
Morphology of ostracods
Morphology  of ostracodsMorphology  of ostracods
Morphology of ostracods
 
Morphology of foramnifera
Morphology of foramniferaMorphology of foramnifera
Morphology of foramnifera
 
Biogeochemical anomalies
Biogeochemical anomaliesBiogeochemical anomalies
Biogeochemical anomalies
 
Application of microfossil in fossil fuel exploration
Application of microfossil in  fossil fuel explorationApplication of microfossil in  fossil fuel exploration
Application of microfossil in fossil fuel exploration
 
Paleoecology
Paleoecology Paleoecology
Paleoecology
 
Holocene sediment
Holocene sedimentHolocene sediment
Holocene sediment
 
Flax fiber production
Flax fiber productionFlax fiber production
Flax fiber production
 
Biochemical anomolies
Biochemical anomolies Biochemical anomolies
Biochemical anomolies
 

Similar to Blanchard et. al. 2014

HHMI2012Poster
HHMI2012PosterHHMI2012Poster
HHMI2012Poster
Gabriel Wolfson
 
microbial loop
microbial loopmicrobial loop
microbial loop
rajani prabhu
 
Beaver brook water study
Beaver brook water studyBeaver brook water study
Beaver brook water study
jholden56
 
Dan Bower's Phosphate Thesis
Dan Bower's Phosphate ThesisDan Bower's Phosphate Thesis
Dan Bower's Phosphate Thesis
Daniel Bower
 
Bridgewater (2013) Muddy River Biodiversity
Bridgewater (2013) Muddy River BiodiversityBridgewater (2013) Muddy River Biodiversity
Bridgewater (2013) Muddy River Biodiversity
Angeline Chen
 
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the Universe
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the UniverseDr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the Universe
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the Universe
Bruce Damer
 
Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems
Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems
Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems
Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
 
Oligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient Concentrations
Oligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient ConcentrationsOligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient Concentrations
Oligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient Concentrations
Syed Muhammad Khan
 
Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!
Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!
Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!
Yaryalitsa
 
green synthesis by silver nano particles
green synthesis by silver nano particlesgreen synthesis by silver nano particles
green synthesis by silver nano particles
PratikGhorpadepatil
 
Hydrology of High Arctic Lakes
Hydrology of High Arctic LakesHydrology of High Arctic Lakes
Hydrology of High Arctic Lakes
chris benston
 
Beyond water on mars
Beyond water on marsBeyond water on mars
Beyond water on mars
Awad Albalwi
 
prezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptx
prezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptxprezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptx
prezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptx
AnaKovacevic16
 
Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars
Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars
Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars
Sayantani Nath
 
Final EHS 428 Poster
Final EHS 428 PosterFinal EHS 428 Poster
Final EHS 428 Poster
Sasha Heralall
 
Factors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in sea
Factors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in seaFactors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in sea
Factors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in sea
Nazmul Ahmed Oli
 
LIMNOLOGY.pptx
LIMNOLOGY.pptxLIMNOLOGY.pptx
LIMNOLOGY.pptx
Tejaprasad3
 
Ch 25 Pp bio ap
Ch 25 Pp bio apCh 25 Pp bio ap
Ch 25 Pp bio ap
guestbe3747
 
Ch 25 PP bio AP
Ch 25 PP bio APCh 25 PP bio AP
Ch 25 PP bio AP
guestbe3747
 
Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics
Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics
Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics
Jonathan Eisen
 

Similar to Blanchard et. al. 2014 (20)

HHMI2012Poster
HHMI2012PosterHHMI2012Poster
HHMI2012Poster
 
microbial loop
microbial loopmicrobial loop
microbial loop
 
Beaver brook water study
Beaver brook water studyBeaver brook water study
Beaver brook water study
 
Dan Bower's Phosphate Thesis
Dan Bower's Phosphate ThesisDan Bower's Phosphate Thesis
Dan Bower's Phosphate Thesis
 
Bridgewater (2013) Muddy River Biodiversity
Bridgewater (2013) Muddy River BiodiversityBridgewater (2013) Muddy River Biodiversity
Bridgewater (2013) Muddy River Biodiversity
 
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the Universe
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the UniverseDr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the Universe
Dr. Bruce Damer @ QAU Pakistan-The Origin of Life & Life in the Universe
 
Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems
Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems
Red Algae (Rhodophyta) in Biomonitoring of Coastal Ecosystems
 
Oligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient Concentrations
Oligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient ConcentrationsOligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient Concentrations
Oligotrophic Microbes - Life at Low Nutrient Concentrations
 
Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!
Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!
Weird Landscapes – one finds on Earth!
 
green synthesis by silver nano particles
green synthesis by silver nano particlesgreen synthesis by silver nano particles
green synthesis by silver nano particles
 
Hydrology of High Arctic Lakes
Hydrology of High Arctic LakesHydrology of High Arctic Lakes
Hydrology of High Arctic Lakes
 
Beyond water on mars
Beyond water on marsBeyond water on mars
Beyond water on mars
 
prezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptx
prezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptxprezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptx
prezentacija Erasmus Irina Kandic.pptx
 
Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars
Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars
Endolithic Bacteria In Low Temperature Environment, A Case of Life on Mars
 
Final EHS 428 Poster
Final EHS 428 PosterFinal EHS 428 Poster
Final EHS 428 Poster
 
Factors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in sea
Factors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in seaFactors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in sea
Factors influencing distribution of nutrition elements in sea
 
LIMNOLOGY.pptx
LIMNOLOGY.pptxLIMNOLOGY.pptx
LIMNOLOGY.pptx
 
Ch 25 Pp bio ap
Ch 25 Pp bio apCh 25 Pp bio ap
Ch 25 Pp bio ap
 
Ch 25 PP bio AP
Ch 25 PP bio APCh 25 PP bio AP
Ch 25 PP bio AP
 
Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics
Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics
Microbial Phylogenomics (EVE161) Class 15: Shotgun Metagenomics
 

Blanchard et. al. 2014

  • 1. Recovery of sub-chemocline biofilm samples from meromictic Green Lake (Fayetteville, NY) using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Thomas Blanchard ’17, Jonah Boucher ‘17, Hannah Corman ’16, Christopher Loan ‘15 and Professor Michael McCormick Green Lake in Fayetteville, NY was formed approximately 13,000 years ago as falling glacial meltwater carved out a deep basin in the Syracuse Formation. The basin reaches depths of 55 meters and is situated within Green Lake State Park. Green Lake is meromictic, meaning it is composed of non-mixing water layers, each with unique geochemical properties. The bottom layer, or monimolimniom, is anoxic and sulfide rich, whereas the top layer, or mixolimnion, is well oxygenated but nutrient poor. The region of contact between these layers, known as the chemocline, exhibits dramatic shifts in chemical composition. In the spring of 2013, members of the McCormick lab discovered patches of white bacterial biofilms growing along the lake basin wall below the chemocline. The patches resemble colonies of sulfide- oxidizing bacteria previously described in marine environments at the interface between sulfide rich sediments and oxygenated sea water. Our objective was to obtain samples of the biofilm in order to identify the bacteria and better understand the geochemical conditions that permit these biofilms to grow in Green Lake. For that purpose a custom-engineered Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), equipped with camera, sampling syringe, and light, was employed to locate and acquire fragments of the biofilm. Brightfield microscopy revealed the biofilm to consist primarily of fine filaments aggregated in strands covered with small particles, which we suspect to be elemental sulfur. The presence of intra- or extra- cellular sulfur particles is characteristic of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, supporting our hypothesis that these are bacteria may be related to those found in marine environments. This semester we will extract genomic DNA from these samples and use small ribosomal subunit (16s rRNA) sequencing to better identify members of the biofilm community.