MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, Center of Grassland Microbiome, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; National Research Center for Conservation of Ancient Wall Paintings and Earthen Sites, Department of Conservation Research, Dunhuang Academy, Dunhuang, Gansu 736200, PR China.
MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, Center of Grassland Microbiome, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China.
Sci Total Environ. 2022 Aug 20;835:155372. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155372. Epub 2022 Apr 27.
Fungi, cyanobacteria and algae are specific microbial groups associated with the deterioration and safety of stone monuments. In this study, high-throughput sequencing analysis was used to investigate the diversity, distributions, ecological functions, and interaction patterns of both the fungal and microalgal (including cyanobacteria and algae) communities on sandstone in the Beishiku Temple, located on the ancient Silk Road. The results showed that the core phyla of fungi were affiliated with unclassified Lecanoromycetes, Engyodontium, Knufia, Epicoccum, Endocarpon, and Cladosporium of Ascomycota whereas the phyla of microalgae were dominated by prokaryotic Cyanobacteria and eukaryotic Chlorophyta. The environmental factors of temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity were monitored simultaneously. The structure of the microbial communities was much more strongly shaped by soluble Cl, Na, NO ions than by the light intensity, moisture content or temperature, especially for the weathered sandstone located outside the caves. The co-occurrence network analysis suggested that a more stable community structure was evident outside the caves than inside. The stronger positive connections and coexistence patterns that were detected indicate a strong adaptability of fungi and microalgae to the distinct oligotrophic microhabitats on sandstone. The metacommunity co-occurrence network exhibited the ecological predominance of fungi, and most of the functional fungi in the biofilms outside the caves belonged to the Lichenized group, based on the FUNGuild prediction. These findings highlight the ecology and functions of stone-inhabiting microorganisms to further advance the current understanding and knowledge of sandstone biodeterioration for protection and management.
真菌、蓝藻和藻类是与石质纪念碑劣化和安全相关的特定微生物群。在这项研究中，采用高通量测序分析的方法，研究了古丝绸之路上北石窟寺砂岩中真菌和微藻（包括蓝藻和藻类）群落的多样性、分布、生态功能和相互作用模式。结果表明，真菌的核心门为未分类的Lecanoromycetes、Engyodontium、Knufia、Epicoccum、Endocarpon 和 Cladosporium，隶属子囊菌门；而微藻的优势门类为原核蓝藻和真核绿藻。同时监测了温度、相对湿度和光照强度等环境因素。微生物群落的结构更多地受到可溶性 Cl、Na 和 NO 离子的影响，而不是光照强度、水分含量或温度，尤其是对于位于洞穴外的风化砂岩。共生网络分析表明，洞穴外的群落结构比洞穴内更加稳定。检测到的更强的正连接和共存模式表明，真菌和微藻对砂岩中明显的贫营养微生境具有很强的适应性。元群落共生网络显示，真菌在生态上占优势，且洞穴外生物膜中的大多数功能真菌属于地衣组，这是根据 FUNGuild 预测得出的。这些发现突出了石质微生物的生态学和功能，有助于进一步提高对砂岩生物降解的认识和知识，以进行保护和管理。
