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Diverse microbial species survive high ammonia concentrations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2012

Laura C. Kelly ,
Charles S. Cockell  and
Stephen Summers
Laura C. Kelly*
Affiliation:
Geomicrobiology Research Group, CEPSAR, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
Charles S. Cockell
Affiliation:
Geomicrobiology Research Group, CEPSAR, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK School of Physics and Astronomy, James Clerk Maxwell Building, The Kings Building, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 2JZ, UK
Stephen Summers
Affiliation:
Geomicrobiology Research Group, CEPSAR, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK Molecular Microbial Ecology Laboratory, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Crowmarsh Gifford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, UK
*
e-mail: laurackelly@live.ie
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Abstract

Planetary protection regulations are in place to control the contamination of planets and moons with terrestrial micro-organisms in order to avoid jeopardizing future scientific investigations relating to the search for life. One environmental chemical factor of relevance in extraterrestrial environments, specifically in the moons of the outer solar system, is ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is known to be highly toxic to micro-organisms and may disrupt proton motive force, interfere with cellular redox reactions or cause an increase of cell pH. To test the survival potential of terrestrial micro-organisms exposed to such cold, ammonia-rich environments, and to judge whether current planetary protection regulations are sufficient, soil samples were exposed to concentrations of NH3 from 5 to 35% (v/v) at −80°C and room temperature for periods up to 11 months. Following exposure to 35% NH3, diverse spore-forming taxa survived, including representatives of the Firmicutes (Bacillus, Sporosarcina, Viridibacillus, Paenibacillus, Staphylococcus and Brevibacillus) and Actinobacteria (Streptomyces). Non-spore forming organisms also survived, including Proteobacteria (Pseudomonas) and Actinobacteria (Arthrobacter) that are known to have environmentally resistant resting states. Clostridium spp. were isolated from the exposed soil under anaerobic culture. High NH3 was shown to cause a reduction in viability of spores over time, but spore morphology was not visibly altered. In addition to its implications for planetary protection, these data show that a large number of bacteria, potentially including spore-forming pathogens, but also environmentally resistant non-spore-formers, can survive high ammonia concentrations.

Keywords

ActinobacteriaammoniaClostridiumFirmicutesProteobacteriaspores
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 11 , Issue 2 , April 2012 , pp. 125 - 131
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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