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Geothermal springs house unicellular red algae in the class Cyanidiophyceae that dominate the microbial biomass at these sites. Little is known about host-virus interactions in these environments. We analyzed the virus community associated with red algal mats in three neighboring habitats (creek, endolithic, soil) at Lemonade Creek, Yellowstone National Park (YNP), USA. We find that despite proximity, each habitat houses a unique collection of viruses, with the giant viruses, Megaviricetes, dominant in all three. The early branching phylogenetic position of genes encoded on metagenome assembled virus genomes (vMAGs) suggests that the YNP lineages are of ancient origin and not due to multiple invasions from mesophilic habitats. The existence of genomic footprints of adaptation to thermophily in the vMAGs is consistent with this idea. The Cyanidiophyceae at geothermal sites originated ca. 1.5 Bya and are therefore relevant to understanding biotic interactions on the early Earth.

Hot spring bathing practice helps to manage hypertension. However, the details of the relationship between hot spring bathing and hypertension remain unknown. Older people are thought to be less adept than younger people at using digital devices such as mobile applications. Whether mobile application questionnaires, which have been increasing in recent years, can be used by older people is unclear. To address the knowledge gap regarding the management of older patients with hypertension, we prospectively evaluated mobile application and paper questionnaires regarding night-time hot spring bathing in respondents who had a choice of which to use. Changes in blood pressure because of hot spring bathing were evaluated. To investigate the effects of night-time hot spring bathing on blood pressure in adults, 1116 volunteers at 14 institutions in Beppu completed the study, including 562 in the mobile application questionnaire group and 556 in the paper questionnaire group. A total of 474 of 477 (99.3%) respondents aged ≥65 years used paper questionnaires. There was a significantly lower drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after using hot springs in respondents aged ≥65 years than in respondents aged <65 years (p<0.001). An age ≥65 years, hypertension with medication, arrhythmia, depression, and using a chloride hot spring were independently and significantly associated with a lower drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after night-time hot spring bathing (p<0.001). Night-time hot spring bathing was significantly associated with reduced blood pressure in older adults (p<0.001). Extending this research by examining how psychosocial factors in respondents aged ≥65 years influence preferences for mobile and paper questionnaires may be beneficial, and further investigation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gamma-ray spectrometry was used to measure radium isotopes in a radium-enriched hot spring area. The activity of 224Ra was highly correlated with 228Ra in water caused by their same chemical behavior and the origin of the decay series chain. Besides, the radioactivity between radium isotopes (226Ra, 228Ra) and the selected chemical analogues in sludge exhibited moderate (Ba and Sr) to strong (Pb) correlations according to linear regression analysis. In contrast, there is less correlation between radium isotopes and 40K. These results reveal that radium isotopes may be transported and distributed together in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated production, characterisation, and biological properties of exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a thermophilic bacterium, Bacillus licheniformis using sucrose as a main carbon source at a temperature of 75 °C, resulting in a yield of 2.87 g/L. The surface topology of EPS was determined using FESEM indicating its porous nature. Subsequently, FTIR was employed to examine EPS and identified the presence of carboxyl and hydroxyl groups, which are believed to be associated with water-holding capacity (WHC). Comparing the FTIR spectrum of various exopolysaccharides, it was inferred that the exopolysaccharide derived from Ramkund closely resembles dextran. EDX and ICP-MS analysis revealed the presence of Sulphur and Selenium which might be involved in the anticancer properties of EPS. This is the first report on bacterial EPS from a hot spring (Ram kund) with antioxidant property, WHC, and high solubility. These properties offer beneficial resources for exploration in the pharmaceutical and agriculture industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacterial pigments have attracted considerable attention in industry due to their bioactive potential and natural origin. In the present study, the growth dynamics and pigment composition, in terms of chlorophyll a, total carotenoids and phycobiliprotein content, of four cyanobacterial strains isolated from thermal springs, namely Oscillatoria subbrevis CZS 2201, Phormidium ambiguum CZS 2205, Nostoc calcicola TSZ 2203, and Synechococcus sp. CZS 2204, were investigated. The analysis revealed that the maximum quantity of chlorophyll a and total carotenoids was observed in Oscillatoria subbrevis CZS 2201 (26.49 and 3.44 µg mL−1), followed by Phormidium ambiguum CZS 2205 (18.64 and 2.32 µg mL−1), whereas a minimum amount was detected in Synechococcus sp. CZS 2204 (12.13 and 1.24 µg mL−1), respectively. In addition, Oscillatoria subbrevis CZS 2201 showed higher quantity of phycobiliproteins, especially C-phycocyanin (45.81 mg g−1), C-phycoerythrin (64.17 mg g−1) and C-allophycocyanin (27.45 mg g−1). Moreover, carotenoid derivatives of Oscillatoria subbrevis CZS 2201 were also identified, among which β-carotene was the dominant form (1.94 µg mL−1), while the accumulation of zeaxanthin and myxoxanthophyll was relatively high (0.53 and 0.41 µg mL−1, respectively) compared with echinenone and cryptoxanthin (0.34 and 0.23 µg mL−1, respectively). The study revealed that Oscillatoria subbrevis CZS 2201 was a potent producer of secondary carotenoids, including myxoxanthophyll. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active fault zones are critical pathways for the migration of deep fluids to the Earth's surface, carrying gases such as He, Rn, and CO2 that provide evidence for the physical and chemical dynamics of the Earth's interior. This review examines the geochemical characteristics of fault zone gases and their implications for understanding fault activity and seismic events. Fault zones with high activity levels exhibit significant gas release, and variations in soil and hot spring gas concentrations can serve as indicators of seismic activity. Changes in gas concentrations and isotopic ratios, particularly before and after earthquakes, reflect the dynamic interplay between deep-sourced and shallow-sourced fluids. Seismic-induced stress alterations enhance gas release along fault zones, leading to observable anomalies that can aid in earthquake monitoring and prediction. The study underscores the importance of isotope tracing in deciphering fluid sources, migration pathways, and the evolution of fault zones, providing valuable information for assessing tectonic activity and mitigating seismic risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining tourists' spatiotemporal patterns are fundamental for comprehending and applying spatial structure theories in tourism research. This study mines 27,981 tourist-generated trajectories in Beijing winter tourism to reveal the spatiotemporal patterns and spatial structures using a framework combining similarity measures and improved density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise algorithm. The findings indicate that Beijing winter tourism has established a spatial structure consisting of "three poles-two axes-two secondary poles." A total of 50 popular routes and 12 patterns of winter tourism can be categorized into three main types and six subcategories: winter tourism leading (skiing oriented, skating oriented), winter tourism with sightseeing (urban snow scene sightseeing, mountain snow scene sightseeing), and winter tourism with leisure (skiing + hot spring therapy, skating + city walking). The findings demonstrate that identifying spatial structures through tourism pattern mining is scientific and feasible. This study examines the movement patterns of tourists to reveal tourism spatial structure and incorporates spatial geography theory to assure the accuracy and scientific validity of the identification process, which enables a comprehensive knowledge of the spatial structure of Beijing's winter tourism industry and broadens the application scenario of spatial geography theory in the era of big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Intense hydrothermal activity hosted by regional tectonic structures occurs in the Eastern part of the Pyrenees. Helium isotope ratios (3He/4He) in hot springs along the Têt (0.033–0.099 Ra) and the Tech (0.171–0.375 Ra) faults indicate different signatures from purely crustal to slightly contaminated by magmatic helium. 3He/4He ratio increased towards the East, consistently with the observed thinning of the continental crust. These results suggest localised and not interconnected hydrothermal systems at fault scale. The origin of magmatic helium contamination is discussed in the light of the Gulf of Lion geodynamic evolution and data from comparable orogenic hydrothermal systems in the Alps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Characterising the spatial and temporal distribution of the S‐N‐trending rift in southern Tibet is crucial for elucidating the dynamics of E‐W extension within the Tibetan Plateau since the Miocene. The Kung Co–Tangra Yumco rift, located in the central part of the rift system, was initiated at the peak of rifting development. While the initiation of rifting has been ascertained through low‐temperature thermochronology, direct timing constraints remain absent for the Gangga Graben in the southernmost region. Utilising the quartz electron spin resonance (ESR) dating technique, we ascertained the onset age of the eastern boundary fault of the Gangga Graben to be 12.00 ± 1.80 Ma, with an accelerated activity phase at 9.17 ± 1.19 Ma, and an activity age for the western boundary fault at 2.22 ± 0.24 Ma. U‐series dating conducted on the western boundary disclosed a time span of 20–13 ka for hot spring fissure activity. Seismic evidence, inclusive of those from the Gongdapu Horst, indicates persistent activity of the Gangga Graben since the Pleistocene. Comparative analysis of age data from the Kung Co–Tangra Yumco rift suggests that it commenced almost synchronously along its strike at ~14.5–12 Ma. Considering the rifts trending from west to east in southern Tibet and the genetic mechanism of leucogranite, we propose an E‐W extension mechanism in southern Tibet. At ~26–14 Ma, the lithosphere experienced weakened delamination and asthenosphere upwelling, leading to a series of magmatic activities and onset of E‐W extension in southern Tibet. At ~17–7 Ma, as the basal shearing of the underthrusting Indian Plate increased, it marked the peak phase of rifting in southern Tibet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widely distributed Species in different geological and ecological environments often exhibit great intraspecific diversity. Aphaniops stoliczkanus (Day, 1872) is an endemic species of Middle East occurring over a vast geographic range in different basins. This species has been observed in freshwater, brackish water and hot sulphur springs; therefore, its populations are known to exhibit considerable morphological variation. In the present study, we have investigated the poorly studied populations of A. stoliczkanus of the Hormuz and Makran basins of Iran in terms of otolith morphology and morphometrics. According to the results, these populations can be divided into two distinct groups including east and west of the Strait of Hormuz. Our results also provide evidence that there is a relationship between otolith morphology and the environment, serving as environmental factors that may influence the formation of specific regions in the otolith shape. Despite the remarkable morphological similarities among otoliths in geographically close populations of Charak and Chiruyeh, our data purposed that geographically these populations have different dorsal tip shapes in their otolith. In comparison to the data from other studies, the otoliths of Qeshm Island appear to resemble the overall shape of otolith found in Oman very closely. However, it is believed that Qeshm Island population was separated from the Hormuz basin populations during the Holocene Sea level rise. Also, the outcomes of this study provide insights into the potential role of environmental factors in shaping intraspecific diversity and the migration patterns of this species within the Persian Gulf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan has significant geothermal potential but due to poor energy management and low utilization of rich geothermal energy, the country is ranked among the energy deficient nations in the world. In this study, integrated geophysical techniques were used to assess the geothermal energy potential of various hot springs in the Sindh province. The study revealed that Naing Shareef and Gaji Shah hot springs have remarkable potential for geothermal energy having pool water temperature of 43 °C and 45 °C, respectively. Geophysical resistivity survey was carried out at both Naing Shareef and Gaji Shah hot spring to determine depth, thickness and quality of thermal water. At Naing Shareef hot spring, only a single thermal aquifer zone has been pinpointed within the shale composition of the Oligocene Nari Formation, and it is on average 55.07 m depth and 29.8 m thick. At an average depth of 100.66 m and an aquifer thickness of 77.03 m, the Gaji Shah hot springs exclusively possess a thermal aquifer region established within the sandstone composition of the Oligocene Nari Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zuogong County is located in the southeast of Tibet, which is rich in hot spring geothermal resources, but its development and utilization degree are low, and the genetic mechanism of the geothermal system is not clear. Hydrogeochemical characteristics of geothermal water are of great significance in elucidating the genesis and evolution of geothermal systems, as well as the sustainable development and utilization of geothermal resources. The hydrogeochemical characteristics and genesis of the geothermal water in Zuogong County were investigated using hydrogeochemical analysis, a stable isotope (δD, δ18O) approach, and an inverse simulation model for water–rock reactions using the PHREEQC. The results indicated that the Zuogong geothermal system is a deep circulation heating type without a magmatic heat source. The chemical types present in the geothermal water from the Zuogong area are HCO3 and HCO3·SO4, and the main cations are Na+ and Ca2+. The groundwater is replenished by atmospheric precipitation and glacier meltwater. The salt content of geothermal water mainly comes from the interaction between water and surrounding rocks during the deep circulation process. The reservoir temperature of geothermal water in Zuogong is 120–176 °C before mixing with non-geothermal water and drops to 62–98 °C after mixing with 58 to 79% of non-geothermal water. According to the proposed conceptual model, geothermal water mainly produces water–rock interaction with aluminosilicate minerals in the deep formation, while in shallow areas it interacts mainly with sulfate minerals. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the geothermal system in Zuogong County, Tibet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural radiogenic isotopes (primarily 87Sr/86Sr) from hot springs in the Upper Geyser Basin of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field and associated rocks were used to evaluate groundwater flow patterns, water‐rock reactions, and the extent of mixing between various groundwater sources. Thermal waters have very low uranium concentrations and 234U/238U activity ratios near 1.0, which limit their utility as tracers in this reducing setting. Thermal waters have higher Sr concentrations (<22 ng/g) and a wide range of 87Sr/86Sr values that vary both temporally at individual discharge sites and between adjacent springs, indicating that conduits tap different subsurface reservoirs to varying degrees. Sr from local rhyolites have 87Sr/86Sr compositions that bound the range of values observed in groundwater throughout the basin. Non‐boiling springs on the west flank of the basin discharge water with low 87Sr/86Sr consistent with flow through young volcanic rocks exposed at the surface. Boiling springs in the central basin have higher 87Sr/86Sr values reflecting interactions with older, more radiogenic volcanic rocks. Variability in upwelling thermal waters requires mixing with a low 87Sr/86Sr component derived from young lava or glacial sediments, or more likely, from deeper sources of hot groundwater circulating through buried Lava Creek Tuff having intermediate 87Sr/86Sr. Isotope data constrain basin‐wide output of thermal water to 110–140 kg·s−1. Results underscore the utility of radiogenic Sr isotopes as valuable tracers of hydrothermal flow patterns and improve the understanding of temperature‐dependent water‐rock reactions in one of the largest continental hydrothermal systems on Earth. Plain Language Summary: Radiogenic isotopes of strontium (87Sr/86Sr) vary widely in rocks and the waters that interact with them. We use 87Sr/86Sr in waters from hot springs in the Upper Geyser Basin of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field to help define patterns of groundwater flow through subsurface volcanic rocks. Lava flows and tuffs adjacent to and underlying the basin have different 87Sr/86Sr compositions reflecting different crustal and mantle components incorporated during rhyolite generation. Groundwater interacting with those rocks inherits their 87Sr/86Sr signature, which can then be used to trace subsurface flowpaths. Modern and past hot springs along the basin margin discharge water having low 87Sr/86Sr values that indicate groundwater was restricted to shallow flowpaths through younger volcanic rocks. Hot springs in the central basin have compositions reflecting mixing between groundwater flowing through deeper and older, high‐87Sr/86Sr volcanic rocks and groundwater having lower 87Sr/86Sr values. The low‐87Sr/86Sr component could be derived from shallow sources (young volcanic rocks or glacial sediments) or from more‐deeply buried tuff associated with the most recent collapse of the Yellowstone caldera. The data presented here provide a means of tracing hydrothermal flow patterns in complex volcanic environments and improve the understanding of hydrothermal activity in one of the largest active continental magmatic systems on Earth. Key Points: Water from hot springs in the Upper Geyser Basin has 87Sr/86Sr derived from volcanic rocks flanking and underlying the basinVariable 87Sr/86Sr in water from springs in proximity and over time reflect mixing between groundwater in distinct rock reservoirsReducing conditions along flowpaths yield groundwater with low U concentrations and 234U/238U activities near 1.0 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wetsalts tiger beetle, Cicindelidia haemorrhagica (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae), is found in several active thermal hot spring areas in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) where substrate surface temperatures can exceed 50 °C. However, relationships between surface temperatures and the time adults spend on them remain poorly understood. Therefore, we characterized thermal profiles of Dragon Spring and Rabbit Creek, 2 thermally active research sites containing C. haemorrhagica in YNP, to quantify the time adults spend at different surface temperatures. We took 58 thermal video recordings of adults over 6 total days of observation ranging from 10 to 15 min for each adult. Thermal video analysis results indicated a positive relationship between the total time adult beetles spent on surface temperatures from Dragon Spring and Rabbit Creek as temperatures increased from 20 °C. Once surface temperatures exceeded 40 °C, the total time spent at those surface temperatures declined. Adults were recorded on substrates exceeding 50 °C at one of the 2 research locations. Rabbit Creek had substantially more instances of adults present with surface temperatures exceeding 40 °C, including one individual on a surface temperature of 61.5 °C. There were 3 instances of beetles spending more than 4 min at a particular surface temperature, all within the preferred range of 30–40 °C. Our thermal profile results and previous behavioral observations suggest that adults may be resistant to the heat produced from the thermal waters that influence the substrate temperatures but may not be subject to high surface temperatures as previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing occurrence of dry and hot summers generates chronic water deficits that negatively affect tree radial growth. This phenomenon has been widely studied in natural stands of native species but not in commercial plantations of exotic tree species. In central Chile, where the species is increasingly planted, the dynamics of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) growth under drought have been little explored. We studied the impact of drought on four stone pine plantations growing in central Chile. We sampled and cross-dated a total of 112 trees from four sites, measured their tree-ring width (RWL) series, and obtained detrended series of ring width indices (RWIs). Then, we calculated three resilience indices during dry years (Rt, resistance; Rc, recovery; and Rs, resilience), and the correlations between the RWI series and seasonal climate variables. We found the lowest growth rate (1.94 mm) in the driest site (Peñuelas). Wet conditions in the previous winter and current spring favored growth. In the wettest site (Pastene), the growth rates were high (4.87 mm) and growth also increased in response to spring thermal amplitude. Overall, fast-growing trees were less resilient than slow-growing trees. Drought reduced stone pine stem growth and affected tree resilience to hydric deficit. At the stand level, growth rates and resistance were driven by winter and spring precipitation. Fast-growing trees were more resistant but showed less capacity to recover after a drought. In general, stone pine showed a high post-drought resilience due to a high recovery after drought events. The fact that we found high resilience in non-native habitats, opens new perspectives for stone pine cropping, revealing that it is possible to explore new areas to establish the species. We conclude that stone pine shows a good acclimation in non-native, seasonally dry environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AbstractThe remarkable stability of Archaebacteria and their resistance to extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperature (hot springs), high salinity (salt marsh), high acidity (volcanic environment), or low temperature (Arctic or Antarctic) is mostly due to their very stable membranes. Membranes of Archaebacteria are composed of tetraethers from the lipid family of bolaamphiphiles. The concern in our laboratory is to synthesize bolaamphiphiles that could form vectors with function to carry drugs toward target cells in the body. The new family of bolamphiphiles synthesized has one polar head based on a sugar moiety and the other polar head is glycine betaine, both issued from natural sources (sugar beet, wheat). They are interconnected with a hydrocarbon chain of 12 methylène units. One side hydrocarbon chain, of 8 methylène units is attached to the anomeric position of the sugar moiety. These two molecules are named N-(12-Betainylamino-Dodecane)-octyl β-D-Glucofuranosiduronamide Chloride, abbreviated C8C12 and N-(12-Betainylamino-Dodeca-5,7-diynyl)-octyl β-D-Glucofuranosiduronamide Chloride, abbreviated C8C12X2. These bolaamphiphile molecules organize in membrane-mimetic lamellar structures (Lc, Lα, L). They undergo a thermal phase transition upon heating. When cooled back to room temperature, they remain in the undercooled high-temperature phase. To follow the relaxation back to the thermodynamically stable phase at 20 °C, the small-angle and wide-angle X-ray spectra were recorded every hour. The Deborah number (De), defined as De = time of relaxation/time of observation, is a dimensionless number often used in rheology to characterize the fluidity of materials under specific flow conditions. It was evaluated for supramolecular structures of two type of bolaamphiphiles, as the De(C8C12) = 35 and the De(C8C12X2) = 62. These values are typical for solid-like behavior, which is in accordance with the sticky, paste-like, brownish aspect of these bolaamphiphile assemblies. The time of relaxation was the time for bolaamphiphiles to regain their thermodynamically stable phase at 20 °C and the time of observation was 1 h, the typical time of recording between two subsequent spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Sensitive skin is a highly prevalent problem. The objective of the study was to assess whether the tested products are effective and safe in terms of improving the symptoms of sensitive skin.A clinical randomized split‐face study was carried out on 24 healthy female subjects. Three cosmetic combinations were tested versus vehicle: product A (Solía Thermal Spring Water–TSW–from Cantabria, Spain + diatom algae–P. tricornutum–extract), product B (Solía TSW + diatom algae extract + Annona cherimola Fruit Extract) and product C (Solía TSW + diatom algae extract + Annona cherimola Fruit Extract + niacinamide). Prior to each application of the study Product (A, B, or C)/vehicle, 10% of aqueous solution of capsaicin to induce skin irritation was applied, mimicking the symptoms of sensitive skin. Stinging and burning sensations were evaluated at different time points.All three tested products A, B, and C showed to act better in calming the symptoms induced by capsaicin when compared to the vehicle.The tested products would be an interesting option for treating stinging and burning sensations in sensitive skin patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The killifish genus Aphaniops consists of nine species distributed in Eastern Africa and the Middle East. However, distinguishing these species from each other based on morphological traits is challenging. Here we investigate the utility of otoliths (sagittae) in distinguishing between A. dispar, A. ginaonis, A. hormuzensis, A. kruppi and A. stoliczkanus. Our approach is based on otoliths from 89 specimens and involves (1) otolith morphometrics, following prior recommendations, (2) shape analysis of otolith contours based on discrete wavelet transformation—a novel method in killifish otolith research—and comparative statistical analyses. Both methods reveal significant interspecific variation in the otolith regions of the rostrum, antirostrum and excisura. While method (1) effectively discriminates most species, method (2) struggles to differentiate A. hormuzensis, A. stoliczkanus and A. kruppi. Additionally, both methods encounter challenges in correctly classifying A. hormuzensis due to the high otolith variability of this species in our sample. Possible factors accounting for their variability are environmental fluctuations at the sampled hot sulphuric spring (Khurgo) and potential introgressive hybridization. We conclude that otolith morphometry is a valuable tool for Aphaniops species identification. Furthermore, we found that the distinctiveness of species‐specific otolith traits increases with the divergence age of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous geothermal systems are hosted by extensional rifts that transect the Himalayas and Lhasa block in the Himalayan–Tibetan orogen. However, the relationships between hydrogeological processes and geothermal fluid circulation in different tectonic units remain unclear. Here, we report an integrated dataset of chemical and isotopic compositions (including major and trace elements, δD, δ18O, and 87Sr/86Sr) of thermal spring water from the Tingri-Tangra Yumco rift to assess their origins and circulation processes. δ18O (− 21.3 to − 17.0‰) and δD (− 166 to − 135‰) values of thermal springs indicate dominant recharge of meteoric waters from areas with elevation of > 6000 m and minor addition of magmatic fluids. Meteoric water could infiltrate to depths of about 1700–2900 m along the faults, whereby it is influenced by geothermal gradient and/or conductive heat transfer of magmatic fluids. The thermal spring waters are mainly Na-HCO3 type and are controlled by dissolution of silicate and carbonate minerals and mixing with deep fluids. The results of chemical and multicomponent geothermometers indicate reservoir temperatures of 115 − 195 ℃, corresponding to a convection heat flux of 3.96 × 105 J/s to 1.78 × 107 J/s from geothermal systems, which are comparable to that of the low-enthalpy geothermal systems in southern Italy. Geochemical modeling is conducted to assess the water–mineral equilibria in the reservoir. Trace elements and 87Sr/86Sr data suggest spatially variable controlling factors for the rift-related geothermal systems: (1) interaction with granitoid and carbonate in the Himalayas; (2) cold groundwater mixing with that leaching from granite and volcanic rocks in the Lhasa block; (3) the input of vapors from magmatic degassing. The geochemistry of thermal springs associated with extensional rift is largely induced by the interaction between fluid and different reservoir rocks in the Himalayas and Lhasa block. Based on these findings, a genetic model is proposed for exploration and development of geothermal resources in the Tingri-Tangra Yumco rift. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geyserite is a type of terrestrial siliceous hot spring deposit (sinter) formed subaerially in proximal vent areas, with near‐neutral pH, alkali chloride discharge fluids characterized by initial high temperatures (~73°C to up to 100°C) that fluctuate rapidly in relation to dynamic hydrology, seasonality, wind, and other environmental parameters. We analyzed sinters at the Claudia paleogeothermal field from the Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) Deseado Massif geological province, Argentinean Patagonia. The geyserite samples—with spicular to columnar to nodular morphologies—contain abundant microfossils in monotypic assemblages that occur in three diagenetic states of preservation. The best‐preserved microfossils consist of vesicle‐like structures with radial heteropolar symmetry (~35 μm average diameter), circular apertures, smooth walls lacking ornamentation, and disk‐ or beret‐like shapes. Comparisons with extant, morphologically similar organisms suggest an affinity with the testate amoebae of the Arcella hemisphaerica–Arcella rotundata complex and Centropyxis aculeata strain discoides. These species occur in active geothermal pools between 22°C and 45°C, inconsistent with the temperature of formation of modern geyserites. We propose that the testate amoebae may have colonized the geyserite during cooler phases in between spring‐vent eruptive cycles to prey on biofilms. Silica precipitation through intermittent bathing and splashing of fluctuating thermal fluid discharge could have led to their entrapment and fossilization. Petrographic analysis supports cyclicity in paleovent water eruptions and later diagenesis that transformed the opal into quartz. Spatially patchy degradation and modification of the silicified microorganisms resulted in variable preservation quality of the microfossils. This contribution illustrates the importance of microscale analysis to locate early silicification and identify high‐quality preservation of fossil remains in siliceous hot spring deposits, which are important in early life studies on Earth and potentially Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural hot springs are ideal places and environmental matrices that offer relaxation to people and microorganisms of different types. A total of 40 surface water samples were collected from the five identified collection sites, eight water samples for each site. Collection sites are designated 200 m apart to cover the entire study site. Surface water samples were collected approximately 10–20 cm from the surface. Water samples were filtered, cultured, and microscopically observed for 14 days. After 14 days of cultivation, eight (20%) water samples revealed cystic and trophozoite stages. Polymerase chain reaction using JDP1 and JDP2 specific primers confirmed the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. from two of our isolates in the hot spring, isolates 1.1 and 5.1. Further sequencing revealed that the isolates are Acanthamoeba T20 and Acanthamoeba genotype T7. Sequences were deposited to GenBank and were assigned accession numbers PP741726 and PP741727, respectively. The isolation of Acanthamoeba spp. in hot springs has significant health implications, especially for those who use it for recreational activity. Private resort owners are highly encouraged to regularly monitor and maintain hot spring resorts to avoid future infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around 70 million metric tonnes of fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) are produced each year and are eventually discarded as wholesale garbage. Microorganisms decompose this FVW, which has led to environmental contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and other impacts related to climate change. If FVW are used properly, they can reduce environmental damage and also boost a nation's economy. FVW contain vast amounts of biopolymers, viz., pectin, cellulose, and starch, all of which are hydrolysed by microbes with the aid of the pectinase, cellulase, and amylase enzymes, respectively. Therefore, in light of this, the intervention of microorganisms for the production of pectinase, cellulase, and amylase could be a safe, cost-effective, and eco-friendly approach for the precise utilisation of FVW. Nowadays, thermophilic multienzymes are extracted from a group of hot spring microbes. Thermophilic multienzymes are more capable of surviving at high temperatures and have less degrading capability. Moreover, through this advancement, we can obtain vast amounts of pectinase, cellulase, and amylase enzymes within a short period of time. This microbial enzyme preparation might be helpful in food, textiles, paper, pulp, animal feed supplements, detergents, juice/pulp clarity, leather, and other related sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extremophiles, organisms thriving in extreme environments such as hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and hypersaline ecosystems, have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable adaptability and biotechnological potential. This review presents recent advancements in isolating and characterizing extremophiles, highlighting their applications in enzyme production, bioplastics, environmental management, and space exploration. The unique biological mechanisms of extremophiles offer valuable insights into life's resilience and potential uses in industry and astrobiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly diverse phages infecting thermophilic bacteria of the Thermus genus have been isolated over the years from hot springs around the world. Many of these phages are unique, rely on highly unusual developmental strategies, and encode novel enzymes. The variety of Thermus phages is clearly undersampled, as evidenced, for example, by a paucity of phage-matching spacers in Thermus CRISPR arrays. Using water samples collected from hot springs in the Kunashir Island from the Kuril archipelago and from the Tsaishi and Nokalakevi districts in the Republic of Georgia, we isolated several distinct phages infecting laboratory strains of Thermus thermophilus. Genomic sequence analysis of 11 phages revealed both close relatives of previously described Thermus phages isolated from geographically distant sites, as well as phages with very limited similarity to earlier isolates. Comparative analysis allowed us to predict several accessory phage genes whose products may be involved in host defense/interviral warfare, including a putative Type V CRISPR-cas system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elemental sulfur (S80)‐oxidising Sulfolobales (Archaea) dominate high‐temperature acidic hot springs (>80°C, pH <4). However, genomic analyses of S80‐oxidising members of the Sulfolobales reveal a patchy distribution of genes encoding sulfur oxygenase reductase (SOR), an S80 disproportionating enzyme attributed to S80 oxidation. Here, we report the S80‐dependent growth of two Sulfolobales strains previously isolated from acidic hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, one of which associated with bulk S80 during growth and one that did not. The genomes of each strain encoded different sulfur metabolism enzymes, with only one encoding SOR. Dialysis membrane experiments showed that direct contact is not required for S80 oxidation in the SOR‐encoding strain. This is attributed to the generation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from S80 disproportionation that can diffuse out of the cell to solubilise bulk S80 to form soluble polysulfides (Sx2−) and/or S80 nanoparticles that readily diffuse across dialysis membranes. The Sulfolobales strain lacking SOR required direct contact to oxidise S80, which could be overcome by the addition of H2S. High concentrations of S80 inhibited the growth of both strains. These results implicate alternative strategies to acquire and metabolise sulfur in Sulfolobales and have implications for their distribution and ecology in their hot spring habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical changes in hot springs, as recorded by thermal waters and their deposits, provide a window into the evolution of the postglacial hydrothermal system of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field. Today, most hydrothermal travertine forms to the north and south of the ca. 631 ka Yellowstone caldera where groundwater flow through subsurface sedimentary rocks leads to calcite saturation at hot springs. In contrast, low-Ca rhyolites dominate the sub-surface within the Yellowstone caldera, resulting in thermal waters that rarely deposit travertine. We investigated the timing and origin of five small travertine deposits in the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins to understand the conditions that allowed for travertine deposition. New 230Th-U dating, oxygen (δ18O), carbon (δ13C), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) isotopic ratios, and elemental concentrations indicate that travertine deposits within the Yellowstone caldera formed during three main episodes that correspond broadly with known periods of wet climate: 13.9–13.6 ka, 12.2–9.5 ka, and 5.2–2.9 ka. Travertine deposition occurred in response to the influx of large volumes of cold meteoric water, which increased the rate of chemical weathering of surficial sediments and recharge into the hydrothermal system. The small volume of intracaldera travertine does not support a massive postglacial surge of CO2 within the Yellowstone caldera, nor was magmatic CO2 the catalyst for postglacial travertine deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermo-alkali stable cellulase from Geobacillus sp. TP-1 was isolated from Tapovan hot spring soil sample. The BLASTn sequence analysis of 16S rRNA sequence revealed that the isolate belonged to the Geobacillus genus and shared the highest degree of sequence similarity (99.43%) with the different strains of Geobacillus subterraneus. The neighbour joining method of multiple sequence alignment revealed that the 16S rRNA sequence of Geobacillus sp. TP-1 shows maximum similarity with Geobacillus stearothermophilus strain S_YE6-1017-022. One-Factor-At-a-Time analysis was used to optimize the carbon source, nitrogen source, pH, temperature, inoculum size and growth profile with respect to cellulase production. When compared to un-optimized basal media, optimised medium increased cellulase production by around 3.6 times. The Plackett Burman factorial design was employed to identify the critical medium components influencing cellulase activity and temperature was determined to have a significant effect on overall cellulase production. The current strain was capable of utilising lignocellulosic waste as an alternative carbon source. The use of sugarcane molasses and wheat bran as carbon sources resulted in a significant increase (~ 7.2 fold) in cellulase production in the current study, indicating the bacterium's potential for valorising lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products, which encourages its use in lignocellulosic-based bio refineries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot springs have tremendous significance due to their divulging physiochemical features. In the recent past, metagenomics has emerged as a unique methodology to explore microbiota as well as new biocatalysts possessing advantageous biochemical properties from hot springs. In the present study, metagenomics has been employed for microbial diversity exploration and identification of genes involved in various metabolic pathways among two hot springs, Manikaran and Tatapani, located in Himachal Pradesh, India. Taxonomic analysis of both metagenomes revealed the dominance of the Proteobacteria phylum. Genomic signatures of other bacterial phyla such as Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Firmicutes were also found in significant abundance in both the metagenomes. The abundance of microorganisms belonging to genera, especially Nitrospira, Thauera, Meiothermus, Thiobacillus, Massilia, and Anaerolinea, was reported to be prevalent in the hot springs. A significant amount of metagenomic data remained taxonomically unclassified, which indeed emphasizes the scientific importance of these thermoaquatic niches. The functional potential analysis of both metagenomes revealed pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, followed by amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, genetic information processing, metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, membrane transporter, and signal transduction. Exploration of biomass-modifying biocatalysts enumerated the presence of glycoside hydrolases, glycosyl transferases, polysaccharide lyases, and carbohydrate esterases in the metagenomic data. Together, these findings offer an in-depth understanding of the microbial inhabitants in North-Western Himalayan hot springs and their underlying potential for various biotechnological and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pymvashor Creek is the northernmost in continental Europe hydrothermal system (Bolshezemelskaya tundra, Northeast of European Russian Arctic). Our study aimed to investigate the taxonomic composition and abundance of chironomids and to evaluate the relationship of these parameters with the water temperature along the thermal gradient in the arctic Pymvashor Creek thermal system. The greatest taxonomic richness and abundance of chironomids were found in tepid waters (25 chironomid taxa), where Orthocladiinae dominated chironomid communities. Eurybiotic Chironomus Meigen, 1803 species dominated thermal springs. Cold stenotherm Pseudodiamesa (Pseudodiamesa) nivosa (Goetghebuer, 1928) and Eukiefferiella claripennis (Lundbeck, 1898) prevailed in cold karst springs. The chironomid faunas of thermal, tepid, and cold parts of the Pymvashor Creek hydrothermal water system differ statistically significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores how perceived crowding stimulates tourists' emotional reactions and affects their experience quality as well as satisfaction. Based on Stimulus-Organism-Response theory, it examined and verified relationship between perceived crowding and tourist satisfaction with mixed-methods approach. The qualitative study was conducted to establish research model, and multigroup analysis was conducted with data collected from hot springs and coastal destinations. The results indicated that human crowding is no longer a positive signal in both sites. Experience quality mediates relationship between emotional reactions aroused by perceived crowding and tourist satisfaction. The findings deepen understanding of crowding and provide effective management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of rare alkalis (Li, Rb, and Cs) is analyzed in spatially linked water objects of the Baikal geosystem: water of Baikal and its tributaries, underground water from boreholes and thermal springs, and the Angara River (the sole outlet), which are located in the Baikal rift zone. The rare alkali content differs significantly in some water objects, but the average and median contents are similar in the surface and deep water of Lake Baikal and the Angara River. The water of Barguzin thermal springs of the eastern shore of Lake Baikal contains the maximum amount of rare alkalis, but this affects the Baikal water insignificantly due to its natural self-cleaning and deep renewal of water during geodynamic movements. The similar rare alkali contents of Barguzin and some thermal springs of Kamchatka emphasize their indicator role in the genesis of water objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of New Food Industry is the property of NFI LLC. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tianjin possesses abundant geothermal resources, and geothermal reinjection is an effective strategy for maintaining the sustainable development and utilization of these resources. However, several issues have arisen in the reinjection of sandstone geothermal reservoirs in the Tianjin area, including a mismatch between the reinjection capacity and effluent capacity, as well as challenges related to continuous reinjection. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the reinjection of exogenous water into sandstone pore-type geothermal reservoirs. This study focuses on the geothermal reservoir of the Guantao Formation in the Binhai New Area. The surface water treatment process for reinjection into sandstone geothermal reservoirs was determined through water treatment simulation experiments. Additionally, experiments examining the interaction between the reinjected water and reservoir rock were conducted to assess the feasibility of using treated surface water for reinjection into sandstone geothermal reservoirs. The hydrogeochemical response mechanisms and the impact on the reservoir under reinjection conditions were also investigated. The results indicate that a nanofiltration module and tubular microfiltration membrane are essential to ensure the stability of the system. The pH and TDS of water samples decreased after reinjecting mixed water (HHS) into the sandstone reservoir. The hydrochemical type consistently remained Cl-Na. The conventional water chemistry components and trace elements were influenced by the corresponding water–rock reactions. The reservoir minerals exhibited minimal precipitation, primarily consisting of K-feldspar and Fe-dolomite. The minerals produced during the experiment accounted for only 0.08% of the total cuttings' mass, indicating a negligible impact on the reservoir structure. PHREEQC was employed to simulate the changes in mineral saturation index before and after the reinjection of mixed water and geothermal water, respectively. Notably, similar hydrogeochemical changes were observed in the geothermal fluids. Thus, this study demonstrates the feasibility of reinjecting treated surface water into sandstone geothermal reservoirs from a hydrogeochemical perspective. This research provides valuable insights for the development of external water reinjection projects in hot spring health care units, contributing effectively to the achievement of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Mining Magazine is the property of China Mining Magazine Co., Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A large mantle helium anomaly and separate domains of high heat flow are the predominant manifestations of bimodal magmatic activity in the Milford valley. The mantle helium anomaly (1.9–2.6 R/Ra) covers 270 km2 and is subdivided into two separated domains: a cold shallow groundwater regime and high temperature hydrothermal activity. The zone of anomalous heat flow covers >100 km2 and is also subdivided into two adjacent domains, comprising hydrothermal activity at Roosevelt Hot Springs (RHS) (3–7 W/m2) and conductive heat flow (100–180 mW/m2). While the transfer of heat and mantle helium at RHS are coupled, heat and helium transfer are decoupled in the adjacent cold groundwater regime to the west. Both the mantle helium and geothermal anomalies are attributed to recent mafic‐felsic magmatic intrusions of >400 km3, however, the absence of volcanic eruptions <500,000 years indicates magmas stall before rising to shallow crustal level <10 km depth. Deep level magmatism produces a felsic composition melt, which is inferred to be responsible for the widespread and near uniform range of diluted mantle helium values. A thick and impermeable mass of crystalline granitic basement rock at the mid‐crustal level divides the ascent of mantle helium into separate flow paths. It may also impede the rise of buoyant magma trapping thermal energy that facilitates partial melting, slow cooling, and development of a thick thermal aureole. Partitioning of convective and conductive thermal regimes and independent flow paths supplying deeply derived helium characterize the development of a large long‐lived magma‐related geothermal system. Plain Language Summary: Productive high‐grade geothermal resources, a form of renewable energy, are associated with volcanic centers and zones of hydrothermal activity in regions undergoing crustal thinning. The Milford valley in southwest Utah is host to a long dormant volcanic center whose modern expression is mostly limited to hydrothermal activity at Roosevelt Hot Springs, which has produced energy since 1984. The US Department of Energy established the Utah FORGE enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) field laboratory in an adjacent zone of extensive hot dry crystalline rock to advance new methods of energy production. Newly discovered additional natural expression of the geothermal system occurs in the shallow cold groundwaters defined by infiltration of deep‐derived mantle helium. It is the primary indication of undiscovered zones of high heat flow and geothermal resources concealed beneath the surface. The isotopic composition of the helium, plus the high geothermal heat flow, suggest that helium is derived from a large body of magma (>400 km3) that is similar in composition to the volcanic deposits that erupted 500,000 to 800,000 years ago in the nearby Mineral Mountains. A thick mass of impermeable granitic rock forms a barrier to magma ascent, suppressing the recent volcanic activity, and producing geothermal resources instead. Key Points: A large groundwater mantle He anomaly and geothermal resources are shallow manifestations of mafic‐felsic magmatism in the lower crustTwo pathways transect the crust transferring mantle He with or without heat at Roosevelt Hot Springs and the adjacent cold groundwater regimeMid‐crustal granitic basement rock impedes the rise of buoyant magma trapping thermal energy that facilitates partial melting and slow cooling [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Chaves thermal spring water, due to its potential anti-inflammatory and antipollution properties, has the potential to be incorporated into a cosmetic formulation. Since ancient times, thermal spring water has been proven to be beneficial to the skin and to improving dermatologic disorders, explaining its incorporation into cosmetic formulations as an active ingredient. Chaves thermal spring water, from northern Portugal, has been used as a local spa since Roman times, and its customers are satisfied with its medicinal quality. Despite the lack of published evidence on its specific effects on the skin, this study evaluates the potential of using Chaves thermal water as a cosmetic ingredient. The physiochemical composition demonstrated that Chaves thermal spring water is low-mineralized water, and its major components are sodium, potassium, silicon, and calcium. In vitro experiments demonstrated that this low mineralization might explain the absence of antioxidant and antiaging potential, and the maintenance of collagen and fibronectin levels. The quantification of the IL-6 levels showed that Chaves thermal spring water could be used as an anti-inflammatory product, suggesting its use by individuals with skin diseases. In agreement with this result, in vivo experiments revealed that Chaves thermal spring water improved the integrity of the skin barrier and preserved the skin microbial community. Overall, the present work suggests that Chaves thermal spring water might be used as a cosmetic product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of scale in hot springs and geothermal brines can be detected quickly and easily using optical fiber-based scale sensors. This paper describes the development of a portable sensor for the in situ detection of scale in geothermal water. This sensor was used to detect the formation of calcium carbonate and silica scale and to assess the effectiveness of their inhibitors. The performance of the sensor was evaluated using calcium carbonate scale. In laboratory experiments using both the newly developed sensor and a conventional nonportable sensor, the strength of the transmitted signal was found to decrease significantly as the amount of scale increased. It was considered that this sensor can accurately evaluate only scale formation without being affected by turbidity. The scale that was deposited on each material (optical fiber core, glass plate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and SUS304) was observed using a shape analysis laser microscope. Based on these observations, we concluded that this sensor could be used to predict the amount of scale deposited in real time. In situ evaluation of the sensor was conducted at a blowout carbonated hot spring on Rishiri Island, which is located off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan. The results obtained from experiments using hot spring water showed a similar sensor response within a comparable time range as those obtained from the laboratory experiments. The results of this study thus demonstrate that this novel portable scale sensor is suitable for use in geothermal power plants and investigating effectiveness of inhibiters under different conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is one of the most prominent invasive crayfish species in Europe. Here, we document the first recording of this species in Slovakia, including evidence of its occurrence in two natural localities, both fed by thermal springs. The first locality is near Turčianske Teplice in Central Slovakia, immediately downstream of a commercial culturing facility for aquatic ornamentals, while the other is located approximately 150 km southwards, close to Komárno. Both P. clarkii populations are well-established, with numerous individuals of both sexes, size classes, and ovigerous females. Although none of the 32 screened adult crayfish of either population tested positive for Aphanomyces astaci, the causative agent of the crayfish plague, its presence cannot be entirely excluded. So far, P. clarkii is confined to short stretches in both sites. However, its independent expansion into nearby watercourses can be expected. Despite the translocation of non-native species of Union concern, such as P. clarkii, being strictly forbidden, illegal human actions can facilitate their dispersal. Given the still relatively limited territory conquered by the invasive species in the two localities, urgent eradication and control measures were recently adopted. The ongoing eradication campaigns yielded thousands of P. clarkii individuals extracted from both localities in 2023. As thermal springs and thermally polluted waters are known hotspots of non-native and potentially invasive species, monitoring these sites is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background - During field work performed in 2018 by the University of Lubumbashi in the Katanga region of D.R. Congo, a peculiar Cyperus species was discovered at the edges of a thermal spring in the southwest corner of the Upemba graben, near the city of Luena. Material and methods - Herbarium material from the collected plant was studied and used as a basis for illustrations and a SEM study of the nutlets. A preliminary IUCN Red List assessment was performed according to the IUCN Guidelines and Criteria. Results - Cyperus kilelai, a new species from Katanga in D.R. Congo, is described and illustrated. This small tussocky species is characterised by weakly 3-4 angled dimerous nutlets with stigma branches in ad- and abaxial positions and glumes of 2.5-3.2 mm long. It is currently only known from its type location. Thermal springs in this region are of interest for the development of geothermal power plants in the near future. Based on the restricted area, a small population size, and a plausible future threat, the conservation status of this species is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria are widely distributed in natural environments including geothermal areas. A unicellular cyanobacterium, Thermosynechococcus, in a deeply branching lineage, develops thick microbial mats with other bacteria, such as filamentous anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria in the genus Chloroflexus, in slightly alkaline hot-spring water at ~55 °C. However, Thermosynechococcus strains do not form cell aggregates under axenic conditions, and the cells are dispersed well in the culture. In this study, Thermosynechococcus sp. NK55a and Chloroflexus aggregans NBF, isolated from Nakabusa Hot Springs (Nagano, Japan), were mixed in an inorganic medium and incubated at 50 °C under incandescent light. Small cell aggregates were detected after 4 h incubation, the size of cell aggregates increased, and densely packed cell aggregates (100–200 µm in diameter) developed. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of cell aggregates found that C. aggregans filaments were connected with Thermosynechococcus sp. cells via pili-like fibers. Co-cultivation of C. aggregans with a pili-less mutant of Thermosynechococcus sp. did not form tight cell aggregates. Cell aggregate formation was observed under illumination with 740 nm LED, which was utilized only by C. aggregans. These results suggested that Chloroflexus filaments gather together via gliding motility, and piliated cyanobacterial cells cross-link filamentous cells to form densely packed cell aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In the last few decades, addressing the global challenge of implementation of strategies for renewable energy and energy efficiency has become crucial. Morocco, since 2009, has made a steadfast commitment to sustainability, with a particular focus on advancing the development of renewable energy resources. A comprehensive strategy has been formulated, centering on utilizing the country's energy potential to drive progress in this vital sector. Morocco is considered a country with abundant thermal water, indicating deep reservoirs with significant hydrothermal potential. Geothermal zones were selected based on the abundance of hot springs where water temperatures were high and geothermal gradients were significant. The abundance and importance of hot springs, combined with recent volcanism and ongoing non‐tectonic activity linked to alpine orogeny, strongly suggest that these regions are promising reservoirs for geothermal energy. This great potential also extends to neighboring countries. In northeast and south Morocco, the temperature of thermal water ranges from 26 to 54°C. This study serves as an inclusive review of the geothermal potentialities in Morocco.

The thermophilic microbial mat communities at hot springs in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, thought to harbor the protistan human pathogen Naegleria fowleri, were surveyed using both culture-independent and -dependent methods to further understand the ecology of these hot spring microbiomes. Originating from Lake Mead source water, seven spring sites were sampled, varying in temperature from 25 to 55 °C. Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing of twelve samples using 16S rRNA primers (hypervariable V4 region) revealed that most mats are dominated by cyanobacterial taxa, some but not all similar to those dominating the mats at other studied hot spring systems. 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing (V9 region) demonstrated a diverse community of protists and other eukaryotes including a highly abundant amoebal sequence related to Echinamoeba thermarum. Additional taxonomic and diversity metric analyses using near full-length 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing allowed a higher sequence-based resolution of the community. The mat sequence data suggest a major diversification of the cyanobacterial orders Leptolyngbyales, as well as microdiversity among several cyanobacterial taxa. Cyanobacterial isolates included some representatives of ecologically abundant taxa. A Spearman correlation analysis of short-read amplicon sequencing data supported the co-occurrences of populations of cyanobacteria, chloroflexi, and bacteroidetes providing evidence of common microbial co-occurrences across the Black Canyon hot springs.

Many Archaea produce membrane-spanning lipids that enable life in extreme environments. These isoprenoid glycerol dibiphytanyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) may contain up to eight cyclopentyl and one cyclohexyl ring, where higher degrees of cyclization are associated with more acidic, hotter or energy-limited conditions. Recently, the genes encoding GDGT ring synthases, grsAB, were identified in two Sulfolobaceae; however, the distribution and abundance of grs homologs across environments inhabited by these and related organisms remain a mystery. To address this, we examined the distribution of grs homologs in relation to environmental temperature and pH, from thermal springs across Earth, where sequences derive from metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, single-cell and cultivar genomes. The abundance of grs homologs shows a strong negative correlation to pH, but a weak positive correlation to temperature. Archaeal genomes and metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that carry two or more grs copies are more abundant in low pH springs. We also find grs in 12 archaeal classes, with the most representatives in Thermoproteia, followed by MAGs of the uncultured Korarchaeia, Bathyarchaeia and Hadarchaeia, while several Nitrososphaeria encodes >3 copies. Our findings highlight the key role of grs-catalysed lipid cyclization in archaeal diversification across hot and acidic environments.

Abstract Objectives Indonesia’s location at the convergence of multiple tectonic plates results in a unique geomorphological feature with abundant hot springs. This study pioneers the metagenomic exploration of Indonesian hot springs, harbouring unique life forms despite high temperatures. The microbial community of hot springs is taxonomically versatile and biotechnologically valuable. 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing of the metagenome is a viable option for the microbiome investigation. This study utilized Oxford Nanopore’s long-read 16 S rRNA sequencing for enhanced species identification, improved detection of rare members, and a more detailed community composition profile. Data description Water samples were taken from three hot springs of the Bali, Indonesia (i) Angseri, 8.362503 S, 115.133452 E; (ii) Banjar, 8.210270 S, 114.967063 E; and (iii) Batur, 8.228806 S, 115.404829 E. BioLit Genomic DNA Extraction Kit (SRL, Mumbai, India) was used to isolate DNA from water samples. The quantity and quality of the DNA were determined using a NanoDrop™ spectrophotometer and a Qubit fluorometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). The library was created using Oxford Nanopore Technology kits, and the sequencing was done using Oxford Nanopore’s GridION platform. All sequencing data was obtained in FASTQ files and filtered using NanoFilt software. This dataset is valuable for searching novel bacteria diversity and their existence.