Correction to: Microbial colonization and persistence in deep fractured shales is guided by metabolic exchanges and viral predation

Amundson, Kaela K.; Borton, Mikayla A.; Daly, Rebecca A.; Hoyt, David; Wong, Allison R.; Eder, Elizabeth K.; Moore, Joseph; Wunch, Kenneth; Wrighton, Kelly; Wilkins, Michael J.

doi:10.1186/s40168-022-01239-6

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(3 citation statements)

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“…Some microorganisms that are inadvertently introduced into the deep biosphere during hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas and oil from shale formations survive numerous stressors and persist for long periods of time ( 1 – 4 ). The persisting microbial communities in engineered shale reservoirs are mostly comprised of anaerobic halophilic and halotolerant taxa ( 5 , 6 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the US, shale accounted for over 79% of dry natural gas production in 2020 and is projected to continue to meet most of the dry natural gas needs of the country through 2050 ( 11 , 12 ). Unfortunately, knowledge of in situ growth kinetics, metabolisms, and physiological adaptations of shale bacteria is still limited despite recent breakthroughs ( 1 , 3 , 10 ), which constrains effective biocontrol and efforts to harness their beneficial potential. The plasma membrane (PM) protects the cell, mediates many of its critical functions (e.g., materials exchange, energy metabolism, and surface attachment) ( 13 ), and responds to intracellular cues and ecological perturbations through physicochemical modifications ( 14 , 15 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fractured shale is an extreme environment for microbial growth and, by virtue of drilling/hydraulic fracturing, a highly disturbed ecosystem. It is characterized by elevated temperatures, nutrient limitation, anoxia, elevated pressures, and brine-level salinities ( 1 , 5 , 16 ). For instance, the salinity of flowback and produced water, which is co-collected with natural gas, could increase more than fourfold up to 6,000 ppm in just about 30 days post-fracturing ( 17 , 18 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in environmental and engineered conditions alter the plasma membrane lipidome of fractured shale bacteria

Ugwuodo,

Colosimo,

Adhikari

et al. 2024

Microbiol Spectr

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Microorganisms that persist in fractured shale reservoirs cause several problems including secreting foul gases and forming biofilms. Current biocontrol measures often fail due to limited knowledge of their in situ activities. The plasma membrane protects the cell, mediates many of its critical functions, and responds to intracellular cues and ecological perturbations through physicochemical modifications. As such, it provides valuable insight into the physiological adaptation of microorganisms in disturbed environmental systems. Here, we (i) demonstrate how changes in salinity and hydraulic retention time (HRT) influence the plasma membrane intact polar lipid (IPL) chemistry of model bacterium, Halanaerobium congolense WG10, and mixed microbial consortia enriched from shale-produced fluids and (ii) elucidate adjustments in membrane IPL chemistry during biofilm growth relative to planktonic cells. We incubated H. congolense WG10 in chemostats under three salinities (7%, 13%, and 20% NaCl), operated under three HRTs (19.2, 24, and 48 h), and in drip flow biofilm reactors under the same salinity gradients. Also, mixed microbial consortia in produced fluids were enriched in triplicate chemostat vessels under three HRTs (19.2, 24, and 72 h) and biofilm reactors. Lipids were analyzed by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Our results show that phosphatidylglycerols, cardiolipins, and phosphatidylethanolamines were predominantly enriched in planktonic H. congolense WG10 cells grown at hypersalinity (20%) compared to optimum (13%). In addition, several zwitterionic phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines were higher in abundance during biofilm growth. These observations suggest that microbial adaptation and biofilm formation in fractured shale are enabled by strategic plasma membrane IPL chemistry adjustments. IMPORTANCE Microorganisms inadvertently introduced into the shale reservoir during fracturing face multiple stressors including brine-level salinities and starvation. However, some anaerobic halotolerant bacteria adapt and persist for long periods of time. They produce hydrogen sulfide, which sours the reservoir and corrodes engineering infrastructure. In addition, they form biofilms on rock matrices, which decrease shale permeability and clog fracture networks. These reduce well productivity and increase extraction costs. Under stress, microbes remodel their plasma membrane to optimize its roles in protection and mediating cellular processes such as signaling, transport, and energy metabolism. Hence, by observing changes in the membrane lipidome of model shale bacteria, Halanaerobium congolense WG10, and mixed consortia enriched from produced fluids under varying subsurface conditions and growth modes, we provide insight that advances our knowledge of the fractured shale biosystem. We also offer data-driven recommendations for improving biocontrol efficacy and the efficiency of energy recovery from unconventional formations.

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