EXPLORING BIOGEOCHEMICAL SIGNATURES OF NEIGHBORING MEROMICTIC LAKES IN FAYETTEVILLE, NY THROUGH 16S RRNA SEQUENCING OF MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES

Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, NY, consists of two meromictic lakes: Green Lake and Round Lake. These lakes are noted for their unique physicochemical parameters which promote a well-preserved sedimentary climate record due to surficial, seasonal whiting events and anoxic bottom water. Abundant microbialite bioherms have been studied along the shores of Green Lake, although few have been found surrounding Round Lake. Lithologically controlled permanent stratification also creates nearly identical light penetration, dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, redox, and dissolved ion profiles in the neighboring lakes. These similarities and the close proximity of the lakes might suggest that they support similar organisms, however, initial results suggest their microbial communities differ.

We collected samples through the major layers of each lake. Through 16S rRNA analysis of relative abundance classified reads of microbial communities, we identified a dominance of sulfur-reducing and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the lakes. To compare the seasonality and temporal fluctuations of these communities, we compared bacterial concentrations with a previous study from June 2018, on Green Lake. We have thus expanded our analysis into Round Lake which had not been previously sequenced. Exploring microbial communities in meromictic lakes provides insights into sulfur-cycling bacteria, their impacts on other biogeochemical cycles, and how paleoclimate records can be preserved through whiting events.