Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Role of Oxygenic Phototrophic Microorganisms in Production and Conversion of Dimethylsulfoniopropioniate and Dimethylsulfide in Microbial Mats

  • Chapter
Biological and Environmental Chemistry of DMSP and Related Sulfonium Compounds

Summary

The dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) content of several strains of benthic marine cyanobacteria and diatoms was determined. We were unable to detect this compound in any of the cyanobacterial strains even though some of these had been isolated from cyanobacteria-dominated (sub)tidal sediments in which we had measured considerable amounts of DMSP. The diatom Cylindrotheca closterium contained an average concentration of about 4 mmoles DMSP (g Chla)-1 and a strain of Navicula sp. contained approximately 30 jumoles DMSP (g Chla)-1. DMSP production by diatoms seems to be highly species-specific but it provides a potential source for the DMSP encountered in the sediment. The role of cyanobacteria in the transformation of DMSP and DMS was limited. The strains that were tested were not able to oxidize DMS during anoxygenic photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria are probably not able to cleave DMSP enzymatically to DMS and acrylate, however the rise in pH they cause as a result of the photosynthetic C02 fixation may lead to the enhanced chemical hydrolysis of DMSP. A strain of the cyanobacterium Phormidium sp. reduced DMSO to DMS during fermentation under anoxic dark conditions. This is another potential source of DMS in coastal marine sediments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Cohen, Y., B.B. Jorgensen, N.P. Revsbech and R. Poplawski. 1986. Adaptation to hydrogen sulfide of oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis among cyanobacteria. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 51: 398–407.

    Google Scholar 

  2. De Souza, M.R and D.C. Yoch. 1995. Purification and characterization of dimethylsulfoniopropionate lyase from an Alcaligenes-like dimethyl sulfide-producing marine isolate. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61: 21–26.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Granroth, B. and T. Hattula. 1976. Formation of dimethyl sulfide by brackish water algae and its possible implication for the flavor of baltic herring. Finn. Chem. Lett.: 148–150.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gries, C, T.H. Nash III and J. Kesselmeier. 1994. Exchange of reduced sulfur gases between lichens and the atmospere. Biogeochem. 26: 25–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Guillard, R.R.L. and J.H. Ryther. 1962. Studies on marine planktonic diatoms. I. Cyclotella nana Hustedt and Detonula confervacea (Cleve) Gran. Can. J. Microbiol. 8: 229–239.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Heyer, H., L.J. Stal and W.E. Krumbein. 1989. Simultaneous heterolactic and acetate fermentation in the marine cyanobacterium Oscillatoria limosa incubated anaerobically in the dark. Arch. Microbiol. 151: 558–564.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kadota, H. and Y. Ishida. 1972. Production of volatile sulfur compounds by microorganisms. Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 26: 127–138.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Karsten, U., C. Wiencke and G.O. Kirst. 1990. The effect of light intensity and daylength on the ß-dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) content of marine green macroalgae from Antarctica. Pl. Cell Env. 13: 989–993.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Keller, M.D., W.K. Bellows and R.R.L. Guillard. 1989. Dimethylsulfide production in marine phytoplankton, p. 167–200. In E.S. Saltzman and W.J. Cooper (eds.), Biogenic Sulfur in the Environment, American Chemical Society, Washington DC.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  10. Kelly, D.R and N.A. Smith. 1990. Organic sulfur compounds in the enironment: Biogeochemistry, microbiology, and ecological aspects. Adv. Microbial Ecol. 11: 345–385.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kiene, R.P. 1988. Dimethyl sulfide metabolism in salt marsh sediments. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 53: 71–78.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Kiene, R.P. and B.F. Taylor. 1988. Demethylation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate and production of thiols in anoxic marine sediments. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 54: 2208–2212.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lovelock, J.E., R.J. Maggs and R.A. Rasmussen. 1972. Atmospheric dimethylsulfide and the natural sulfur cycle. Nature 237: 452–453.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Mantoura, R.F.C. and C.A. Llewellyn. 1983. The rapid determination of algal chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments and their breakdown products in natural waters by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Anal. Chim. Acta 151: 297–314.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. McKinney, G. 1941. Absorption of light by chlorophyll solutions. J. Biol. Chem. 140: 315–322.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Moezelaar, R. 1995. Fermentation in the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcoleus chthonoplastes. PhD thesis, University of Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Richardson, D.J., G.F. King, D.J. Kelly, A.G. McEwan, S.J. Ferguson and J.B. Jackson. 1988. The role of auxiliary oxidants in maintaining redox balance during growth of Rhodobacter capsulatus on propionate orbutyrate. Arch. Microbiol. 150: 131–137.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Rippka, R., J. Deruelles, J.B. Waterbury, M. Herdman and R.Y Stanier. 1979. Generic assignment, strain histories and properties of pure cultures of cyanobacteria. J. Gen. Microbiol. 111: 1–61.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Stal, L.J. 1991. The metabolic versatility of the mat-building cyanobacteria Microcoleus chthonoplastes and Oscillatoria limosa and its ecological significance. Alg. Stud. 64: 453–467.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Stal, L.J. 1991. The sulfur metabolism of mat-building cyanobacteria in anoxic marine sediments. Kieler Meeresforsch., Sonderh. 8: 152–157.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stal, L.J. and W.E. Krumbein. 1985. Isolation and characterization of cyanobacteria from a marine microbial mat. Bot. Marina 28: 351–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Stal, L.J. and W.E. Krumbein. 1986. Metabolism of cyanobacteria in anaerobic marine sediments. Deuxième Colloque International de Bactériologie Marine. Actes de Colloques 3: 301–309. Gerbam, Ifremer, Brest, France.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Stefels, J. and W.H.M. van Boekel. 1993. Production of DMS from dissolved DMSP in axenic cultures of the marine phytoplankton species Phaeocystis sp. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 97: 11–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Steudler, P.A. and B.J. Peterson. 1984. Contribution of gaseous sulfur from salt marshes to the global sulfur cycle. Nature 311: 455–457.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Vairavamurthy, A, M.O. Andreae and R.L. Iverson. 1985. Biosynthesis of dimethylsulfide and dimethylpropiothetin by Hymenomonas carterae in relation to sulfur source and salinity variations. Limnol. Oceanogr. 30: 59–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Van der Maarel, M.J.E.C., P. Quist, L. Dijkhuizen and T.A. Hansen. 1993. Anaerobic degradation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate to 3-S-methylmercaptopropionate by a marine Desulfobacterium strain. Arch. Microbiol. 160: 411–412.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Van Gemerden, H. 1993. Microbial mats: a joint venture. Mar. Geology 113: 3–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Visscher, P.T. and H. van Gemerden. 1991. Production and consumption of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in marine microbial mats. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57: 3237–3242.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Visscher, P.T. and H. van Gemerden. 1991. Photo-autotrophic growth of Thiocapsa roseopersicina on dimethyl sulfide. FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 81: 247–250.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Visscher, P.T., R.P. Kiene and B.F. Taylor. 1994. Demethylation and cleavage of dimethylsulfoniopropionate in marine intertidal sediments. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 14: 179–190.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Visscher, P.T., P. Quist and H. van Gemerden. 1991. Methylated sulfur compounds in microbial mats: in situ concentrations and metabolism by a colorless sulfur bacterium. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57: 1758–1763.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Werner, W., H.-G. Rey and H. Wielinger. 1970. Über die Eigenschaften eines neuen Chromogens für die Blutzuckerbestimmung nach der GOD/POD-methode. Z. Analyt. Chem. 252: 224–228.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. White, R.H. 1982. Analysis of dimethyl sulfonium compounds in marine algae. J. Marine Res. 40: 529–536.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Microbiology, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, NL-1018 WS, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    S. A. van Bergeijk & L. J. Stal

Authors
  1. S. A. van Bergeijk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. L. J. Stal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA

    Ronald P. Kiene

  2. University of Connecticut, Groton, Connecticut, USA

    Pieter T. Visscher

  3. Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USA

    Maureen D. Keller

  4. University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Gunter O. Kirst

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1996 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

van Bergeijk, S.A., Stal, L.J. (1996). The Role of Oxygenic Phototrophic Microorganisms in Production and Conversion of Dimethylsulfoniopropioniate and Dimethylsulfide in Microbial Mats. In: Kiene, R.P., Visscher, P.T., Keller, M.D., Kirst, G.O. (eds) Biological and Environmental Chemistry of DMSP and Related Sulfonium Compounds. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0377-0_32

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0377-0_32

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-45306-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0377-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation