title: Isolation and characterisation of a new caldoactive filamentous bacterium

authors: Hudson, J. Andrew

subjects: Thermophile

abstract: A novel caldoactive filamentous bacterium was isolated from a New Zealand hot spring. Optimum conditions for growth were pH 7.0 and 73°C in aerobic conditions. Growth also occurred anaerobically. Acetamide, lactose, nitrilotriacetic acid, succinate and starch could all act as sole carbon source. Carotenoids could be extracted and had a peak absorbance at 450 nm. The organism was Gram-negative.
Long chains of cells were formed and showed characteristic coiling, necridia, and bulbs. The organism is compared to other caldoactive filamentous organisms and is sufficiently different to make it probable that it represents a new taxonomic group capable of life at high temperatures.

text: Isolation and characterisation of a new caldoactive filamentous bacterium A novel caldoactive filamentous bacterium was isolated from a New Zealand hot spring. Optimum conditions for growth were pH 7.0 and 73°C in aerobic conditions. Growth also occurred anaerobically. Acetamide, lactose, nitrilotriacetic acid, succinate and starch could all act as sole carbon source. Carotenoids could be extracted and had a peak absorbance at 450 nm. The organism was Gram-negative.
Long chains of cells were formed and showed characteristic coiling, necridia, and bulbs. The organism is compared to other caldoactive filamentous organisms and is sufficiently different to make it probable that it represents a new taxonomic group capable of life at high temperatures.

year: 1984

title: Thermorudis pharmacophila sp nov., a novel member of the class Thermomicrobia isolated from geothermal soil, and emended descriptions of Thermomicrobium roseum, Thermomicrobium carboxidum, Thermorudis peleae and Sphaerobacter thermophilus

authors: Houghton, Karen M.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: An aerobic, thermophilic and cellulolytic bacterium, designated strain WKT50.2T, was isolated from geothermal soil at Waikite, New Zealand. Strain WKT50.2T grew at 53–76 °C and at pH 5.9–8.2. The DNA G+C content was 58.4 mol%. The major fatty acids were 12-methyl C18 : 0 and C18 : 0. Polar lipids were all linked to long-chain 1,2-diols, and comprised 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoinositol (diolPI), 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoacylmannoside (diolP-acylMan), 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoinositol acylmannoside (diolPI-acylMan) and 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoinositol mannoside (diolPI-Man). Strain WKT50.2T utilized a range of cellulosic substrates, alcohols and organic acids for growth, but was unable to utilize monosaccharides. Robust growth of WKT50.2T was observed on protein derivatives. WKT50.2T was sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, neomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin and vancomycin. Metronidazole, lasalocid A and trimethoprim stimulated growth. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that WKT50.2T belonged to the class Thermomicrobia within the phylum Chloroflexi, and was most closely related to Thermorudis peleae KI4T (99.6% similarity). DNA–DNA hybridization between WKT50.2T and Thermorudis peleae DSM 27169T was 18.0%. Physiological and biochemical tests confirmed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain WKT50.2T from Thermorudis peleae KI4T and other members of the Thermomicrobia. On the basis of its phylogenetic position and phenotypic characteristics, we propose that strain WKT50.2T represents a novel species, for which the name Thermorudis pharmacophila sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain WKT50.2T ( = DSM 26011T = ICMP 20042T). Emended descriptions of Thermomicrobium roseum, Thermomicrobium carboxidum, Thermorudis peleae and Sphaerobacter thermophilus are also proposed, and include the description of a novel respiratory quinone, MK-8 2,3-epoxide (23%), in Thermomicrobium roseum.

text: Thermorudis pharmacophila sp nov., a novel member of the class Thermomicrobia isolated from geothermal soil, and emended descriptions of Thermomicrobium roseum, Thermomicrobium carboxidum, Thermorudis peleae and Sphaerobacter thermophilus An aerobic, thermophilic and cellulolytic bacterium, designated strain WKT50.2T, was isolated from geothermal soil at Waikite, New Zealand. Strain WKT50.2T grew at 53–76 °C and at pH 5.9–8.2. The DNA G+C content was 58.4 mol%. The major fatty acids were 12-methyl C18 : 0 and C18 : 0. Polar lipids were all linked to long-chain 1,2-diols, and comprised 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoinositol (diolPI), 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoacylmannoside (diolP-acylMan), 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoinositol acylmannoside (diolPI-acylMan) and 2-acylalkyldiol-1-O-phosphoinositol mannoside (diolPI-Man). Strain WKT50.2T utilized a range of cellulosic substrates, alcohols and organic acids for growth, but was unable to utilize monosaccharides. Robust growth of WKT50.2T was observed on protein derivatives. WKT50.2T was sensitive to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, neomycin, polymyxin B, streptomycin and vancomycin. Metronidazole, lasalocid A and trimethoprim stimulated growth. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that WKT50.2T belonged to the class Thermomicrobia within the phylum Chloroflexi, and was most closely related to Thermorudis peleae KI4T (99.6% similarity). DNA–DNA hybridization between WKT50.2T and Thermorudis peleae DSM 27169T was 18.0%. Physiological and biochemical tests confirmed the phenotypic and genotypic differentiation of strain WKT50.2T from Thermorudis peleae KI4T and other members of the Thermomicrobia. On the basis of its phylogenetic position and phenotypic characteristics, we propose that strain WKT50.2T represents a novel species, for which the name Thermorudis pharmacophila sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain WKT50.2T ( = DSM 26011T = ICMP 20042T). Emended descriptions of Thermomicrobium roseum, Thermomicrobium carboxidum, Thermorudis peleae and Sphaerobacter thermophilus are also proposed, and include the description of a novel respiratory quinone, MK-8 2,3-epoxide (23%), in Thermomicrobium roseum.

year: 2015

title: Monitoring and hydrodynamic modelling of groundwater inflows into Lake Rotokakahi, New Zealand

authors: Noakes, Katie

subjects: Groundwater

abstract: Lake Rotokakahi is located 10 km south of Rotorua and is of immense cultural importance to the local iwi. The lake also has significant historical and recreational values, which prompted iwi to make the lake private in 1996. Lake Rotokakahi is one of several Rotorua/ Te Arawa lakes. Several of these lakes have become eutrophic and some have declining water quality. This study was prompted by declining water quality of Lake Rotokakahi and the need to identify potential sources of nutrients to the lake, particularly groundwater inflows.

The interaction between groundwater and surface water has a major influence on the trophic status of lakes, particularly those that are predominantly or solely groundwater fed systems. Lake Rotokakahi has one small spring-fed surface water inflow and one outflow, the Te Wairoa stream. Thus the lake is predominantly groundwater fed. The main objective of this thesis was to quantify the contribution of groundwater and surface water to Lake Rotokakahi and to examine interactions of the groundwater system with the lake, in order to provide a basis to improve lake management practices. Multiple monitoring sites were established around the perimeter of the lake to determine the spatial and temporal variation of groundwater inputs, as well as the groundwater nutrient dynamics. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic lake model was set up and simulations were used to examine how groundwater and surface water inflows were dispersed within the lake upon entry.

Monitoring of the shallow groundwater system took place from 1 January to 1 July 2016. Three separate storm events were monitored at high frequency within this monitoring period. The monitoring results showed the groundwater system varied significantly both spatially and temporally and also contributed a high proportion of the total nutrient load to the lake. Groundwater discharge and nutrient concentrations generally increased in association with or immediately following high rainfall events.
 
The three-dimensional model ELCOM was set up using hydrological data for the catchment, meteorological data from a nearby station and bathymetry of the lake. Simulations were based upon different methods of calculating groundwater inflows. Simulation 1 was based upon the common water balance equation method. Simulation 2 used constant groundwater inflow and outflow volumes as determined by a groundwater flow model, MODFLOW, which had been applied to the catchment by White et al., (2015). Simulation 3 combined MODLFOW values and measured groundwater levels to create a varying inflow volume based on water level. The three simulations accurately captured surface and bottom temperatures and had varying lake water levels. Only simulation 3 accurately captured the presence of the groundwater spring near the lake shore and was concluded the more accurate method of groundwater inflow calculation.

text: Monitoring and hydrodynamic modelling of groundwater inflows into Lake Rotokakahi, New Zealand Lake Rotokakahi is located 10 km south of Rotorua and is of immense cultural importance to the local iwi. The lake also has significant historical and recreational values, which prompted iwi to make the lake private in 1996. Lake Rotokakahi is one of several Rotorua/ Te Arawa lakes. Several of these lakes have become eutrophic and some have declining water quality. This study was prompted by declining water quality of Lake Rotokakahi and the need to identify potential sources of nutrients to the lake, particularly groundwater inflows.

The interaction between groundwater and surface water has a major influence on the trophic status of lakes, particularly those that are predominantly or solely groundwater fed systems. Lake Rotokakahi has one small spring-fed surface water inflow and one outflow, the Te Wairoa stream. Thus the lake is predominantly groundwater fed. The main objective of this thesis was to quantify the contribution of groundwater and surface water to Lake Rotokakahi and to examine interactions of the groundwater system with the lake, in order to provide a basis to improve lake management practices. Multiple monitoring sites were established around the perimeter of the lake to determine the spatial and temporal variation of groundwater inputs, as well as the groundwater nutrient dynamics. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic lake model was set up and simulations were used to examine how groundwater and surface water inflows were dispersed within the lake upon entry.

Monitoring of the shallow groundwater system took place from 1 January to 1 July 2016. Three separate storm events were monitored at high frequency within this monitoring period. The monitoring results showed the groundwater system varied significantly both spatially and temporally and also contributed a high proportion of the total nutrient load to the lake. Groundwater discharge and nutrient concentrations generally increased in association with or immediately following high rainfall events.
 
The three-dimensional model ELCOM was set up using hydrological data for the catchment, meteorological data from a nearby station and bathymetry of the lake. Simulations were based upon different methods of calculating groundwater inflows. Simulation 1 was based upon the common water balance equation method. Simulation 2 used constant groundwater inflow and outflow volumes as determined by a groundwater flow model, MODFLOW, which had been applied to the catchment by White et al., (2015). Simulation 3 combined MODLFOW values and measured groundwater levels to create a varying inflow volume based on water level. The three simulations accurately captured surface and bottom temperatures and had varying lake water levels. Only simulation 3 accurately captured the presence of the groundwater spring near the lake shore and was concluded the more accurate method of groundwater inflow calculation.

year: 2016