PROKARYOTIC MICROBIAL DIVERSITY OF ACTIVE LAYER SOIL FROM ALASKA PERMAFROST

Abstract

Permafrost thaw results in the organic matter decomposition of previously frozen organic carbon, which is considered a positive feedback of carbon from terrestrial ecosystem to atmosphere. Despite the organic matter decomposition is closely related with microbial community structure, the research of the microbial diversity in permafrost has been limited. In this study, we investigated the microbial diversity in the active layer soil from Alaska permafrost based on 16S rRNA genes using pyrosequencing. The phyla of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were frequently detected in the active layer soil. Species richness and species evenness were compared along the soil depth. Soil CO2 concentration, air CO2 concentration, soil temperature and water content were measured, and relationship of these environmental factors and microbial diversity was analyzed. In conclusion, microbial diversity in this ecosystem can be readily monitored by pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene.