Fluids from aging ocean crust that support microbial life.
Little is known about the potential for life in the vast, low-temperature (<100 degrees C) reservoir of fluids within mid-ocean ridge flank and ocean basin crust. Recently, an overpressured 300-meter-deep borehole was fitted with an experimental seal (CORK) delivering crustal fluids to the sea floor for discrete and large-volume sampling and characterization. Results demonstrate that the 65 degrees C fluids from 3.5-million-year-old ocean crust support microbial growth. Ribosomal RNA gene sequence data indicate the presence of diverse Bacteria and Archaea, including gene clones of varying degrees of relatedness to known nitrate reducers (with ammonia production), thermophilic sulfate reducers, and thermophilic fermentative heterotrophs, all consistent with fluid chemistry.
Cowen
James P
JP
Department of Oceanography, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. jcowen@soest.hawaii.edu
Giovannoni
Stephen J
SJ
Kenig
Fabien
F
Johnson
H Paul
HP
Butterfield
David
D
Rappé
Michael S
MS
Hutnak
Michael
M
Lam
Phyllis
P
D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001105:Archaea / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D004583:Electrons; D005285:Fermentation; D020459:Genes, rRNA; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009586:Nitrogen Fixation; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D010802:Phylogeny; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D013431:Sulfates / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009566:Nitrates; D013431:Sulfates; D000641:Ammonia; D006859:Hydrogen; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide