Metagenomic insights into the taxonomic and metabolic diversity of the microbiome of Lake Karum in the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background: Hypersaline environments are dynamic ecosystems, the chemistry of which is significantly influenced by climate change, which in turn impacts the microbiota and biogeochemical processes. This study investigates the microbiome of Lake Karum, a hypersaline lake in the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia, with a particular focus on genome-based potential of climate-relevant biogeochemical processes.

Results: The microbiomes of Lake Karum sediments and waters were dominated by halophilic Archaea (Halobacteriota) and Bacteria (Bacteroidota, Pseudomonadota, and Cyanobacteriota), with significant variation in community composition among sites, reflecting geochemical heterogeneity. Despite these taxonomic differences, sediment and water metagenomes exhibited broadly overlapping functional gene profiles. Genes involved in denitrification, carbon monoxide oxidation, osmotic stress tolerance, and utilisation of osmolytes were widespread and predominantly affiliated with Halobacteriales, indicating their pivotal role in nitrogen and carbon cycling. Genome‑resolved analyses revealed substantial intrageneric variation in metabolic potential within dominant halobacterial lineages as well as bacterial candidate phyla, including Candidatus Bipolaricaulota and Candidatus Salsurabacteriota, which encode genes linked to trace-gas metabolism and nitrogen cycling. Notably, a high‑quality metagenome‑assembled genome assigned to the Candidatus Salsurabacteriota was recovered that possesses novel combinations of functional genes not previously reported for this lineage.

Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive genome‑resolved assessment of the taxonomic and functional diversity of the Lake Karum microbiome and identifies microbial taxa with the potential to drive key carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling processes in a hypersaline lake. By revealing previously unrecognised metabolic capabilities within bacterial candidate phyla and highlighting intrageneric functional heterogeneity among dominant halophilic Archaea, this work advances understanding of how hypersaline microbial communities contribute to biogeochemical cycling in extreme environments.