title: Acetylene as a substrate in the development of primordial bacterial communities.
abstract: The fermentation of atmospheric acetylene by anaerobic bacteria is proposed as the basis of a primordial heterotrophic food chain. The accumulation of fermentation products (acetaldehyde, ethanol, acetate and hydrogen) would create niches for sulfate-respiring bacteria as well as methanogens. Formation of acetylene-free environments in soils and sediments would also alter the function of nitrogenase from detoxification to nitrogen-fixation. The possibility of an acetylene-based anaerobic food chain in Jovian-type atmospheres is discussed.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Culbertson
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Strohmaier
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Oremland
mesh_terms: D000114:Acetylene / Q000378:metabolism*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques
chemical_list: D000114:Acetylene