Metagenome Across a Geochemical Gradient of Indian Stone Ruins Found at Historic Sites in Tamil Nadu, India

Although stone surfaces seem unlikely to be habitable, they support microbial life. Life on these surfaces are subjected to many varying harsh conditions and require the inhabitants to exhibit resistance to environmental factors including UV irradiation, toxic metal exposure, and fluctuating temperatures and humidity. Here we report the effect of hosting stone geochemistry on the microbiome of stone ruins found in Tamil Nadu, India. The microbial communities found on the two lithologies, granite and granodiorite, hosted distinct populations of bacteria. Geochemical composition analysis of sampled stones revealed quartz mineral content as a major driver of microbial community structure, particularly promoting community richness and proportions of Cyanobacteria and Deinococcus-Thermus. Other geochemical parameters including ilmenite, albite, anorthite, and orthoclase components or elemental concentrations (Ti, Fe, Mn, Na, and K) also influenced community structure to a lesser degree than quartz. Core members of the stone microbiome community found on both lithologies were also identified and included Cyanobacteria (Chroococcidiopsaceae andDapisostemonumCCIBt 3536),Rubrobacter, andDeinococcus. A cluster of taxa includingSphingomonas,Geodermatophilus, andTrueperawere mostly found in the granodiorite samples. Community diversity correlated with quartz mineral content in these samples may indicate that the microbial communities that attach to quartz surfaces may be transient and regularly changing. This work has expanded our understanding of built-stone microbial community structure based on lithology and geochemistry.

Automated summary

Stone surfaces, though seemingly uninhabitable, host microbial life that adapts to various harsh conditions by exhibiting resistance to environmental factors. Granite and granodiorite host distinct bacterial populations influenced by quartz mineral content, which plays a major role in structuring microbial communities. Other geochemical parameters such as ilmenite, albite, anorthite, and orthoclase components also impact community structure to a lesser degree than quartz. Core members of the stone microbiome community including Cyanobacteria, Rubrobacter, and Deinococcus were identified on both lithologies, with specific taxa like Sphingomonas, Geodermatophilus, and Truepera found predominantly in the granodiorite samples. Community diversity correlated with quartz mineral content indicates that microbial communities on quartz surfaces may be transient and regularly changing. This research expands our understanding of built-stone microbial community structure based on lithology and geochemistry.