Occurrence of Arsenic and Related Microbial Signature of Hydrothermal Systems in Western Turkey

Abstract

The naturally occurring aqueous Arsenic (As) and other toxic elements are found around the world. The present study concentrates on arsenic concentrations, speciation and related microbial diversity in a hydrothermal system in Western Turkey. The surface temperatures of hot springs reach up to 90°C and deep well (reservoir) temperatures vary in the range of 40 to 230°C. The elements such as As, B, Br, Ba, Cr, Fe, Mn, V and Zn are found in high concentration in hydrothermal waters. Hydrogeochemically, Seferihisar hot spring exhibited a Na-Cl water type. On the other hand, Karahayit, Pamukkale, Emirfaki, Alaşehir and Sart exhibit a Ca-HCO 3 water type and Çitgöl exhibited a Na-HCO 3-SO 4 water type. The arsenic (As) concentrations in geothermal waters of Western Anatolia have been detected to range from 0.03 mg/L to 1.5 mg/L, including Buharkent (İnalti) (1.50 ± 0.005 mg/L), Kizildere (1.13 ± 0.005 mg/L), Eynal (0.71 ± 0.005 mg/L) and Sarayköy (0.06 ± 0.004 mg/L). Arsenic (III) is the dominant species in geothermal water of Western Anatolia. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of bacterial diversity show that the thermophilic, sulfur/thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium (Thiobacter subterraneus) is present in Kula geothermal water and mesophilic sulfur- and thiosulfate-oxidizing Sulfurovum lithotrophicum bacterium occurs in Sarayköy geothermal spring. Also, Bacillus fumarioli, (a thermophilic, aerobic endospore forming bacterium growing on (NH 4) 2 SO 4, MgSO 4 and MnSO 4 at 50-55°C), Schlegelella thermodepolymerans and Methylocaldum szegediense are rich in geothermal water.