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Description

Geothermal hot springs provide unique microbial habitats characterized by extreme temperatures, variable pH, and diverse geochemical conditions. This study investigates the microbial diversity of three hot spring locations in Diamond Fork Canyon, Utah—Diamond Fork Warm Springs, Fifth Water Hot Springs, and Monk’s Hollow Trailhead—using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Samples were collected in triplicate and analyzed to identify the bacterial composition, with a focus on potential opportunistic pathogens. Our results revealed a diverse microbial community, including members of Pseudomonas, Comamonas, Helicobacter, and Flavobacterium, some of which are known for biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and pathogenic potential. The presence of Helicobacter bilis and Helicobacter felis, both associated with gastrointestinal diseases, highlights potential public health concerns for recreational visitors. Additionally, members of Pseudomonas and Comamonas exhibited traits linked to environmental resilience and opportunistic infections. These findings contribute to a better understanding of microbial ecology in geothermal environments and underscore the need for further research on the potential health risks posed by bacteria inhabiting hot spring ecosystems.

Disciplines

Bacteriology

Keywords

Hot Springs, Bacteria, Bacteriome, Thermophiles

Document Type

Poster

Additional Files
Hot Springs bacteria poster.pdf (1150 kB)
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Thermophilic Microbiota of Fifth Water Hot Springs: A Genomic Perspective

Geothermal hot springs provide unique microbial habitats characterized by extreme temperatures, variable pH, and diverse geochemical conditions. This study investigates the microbial diversity of three hot spring locations in Diamond Fork Canyon, Utah—Diamond Fork Warm Springs, Fifth Water Hot Springs, and Monk’s Hollow Trailhead—using Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Samples were collected in triplicate and analyzed to identify the bacterial composition, with a focus on potential opportunistic pathogens. Our results revealed a diverse microbial community, including members of Pseudomonas, Comamonas, Helicobacter, and Flavobacterium, some of which are known for biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, and pathogenic potential. The presence of Helicobacter bilis and Helicobacter felis, both associated with gastrointestinal diseases, highlights potential public health concerns for recreational visitors. Additionally, members of Pseudomonas and Comamonas exhibited traits linked to environmental resilience and opportunistic infections. These findings contribute to a better understanding of microbial ecology in geothermal environments and underscore the need for further research on the potential health risks posed by bacteria inhabiting hot spring ecosystems.