Microbial Community Structure and Metabolic Potential at the Initial Stage of Soil Development of the Glacial Forefields in Svalbard

Microbial communities have been identified as the primary inhabitants of Arctic forefields. However, the metabolic potential of microbial communities in these newly exposed soils remains underexplored due to limited access. Here, we sampled the very edge of the glacial forefield in Svalbard and performed the 16S rRNA genes and metagenomic analysis to illustrate the ecosystem characteristics. Burkholderiales and Micrococcales were the dominant bacterial groups at the initial stage of soil development of glacial forefields. 214 metagenome-assembled genomes were recovered from glacier forefield microbiome datasets, including only 2 belonging to archaea. Analysis of these metagenome-assembled genomes revealed that 41% of assembled genomes had the genetic potential to use nitrate and nitrite as electron acceptors. Metabolic pathway reconstruction for these microbes suggested versatility for sulfide and thiosulfate oxidation, H-2 and CO utilization, and CO2 fixation. Our results indicate the importance of anaerobic processes in elemental cycling in the glacial forefields. Besides, a range of genes related to adaption to low temperature and other stresses were detected, which revealed the presence of diverse mechanisms of adaption to the extreme environment of Svalbard. This research provides ecological insight into the initial stage of the soil developed during the retreating of glaciers.

Automated summary

Microbial communities in the Arctic's newly exposed soils have been underexplored. This study analyzed microbial communities in the glacial forefields of Svalbard using 16S rRNA genes and metagenomic analysis. The researchers found dominant bacterial groups and recovered metagenome-assembled genomes with genetic potential for various metabolic pathways. They also identified genes related to adaptation to low temperature and other stresses. This research provides ecological insights into the initial stage of soil development during glacier retreat.