The microbial biosphere of sediment-buried oceanic basement.
Low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, circulating within the vast volume of sediment-buried upper oceanic basement on the flanks of the global mid-ocean ridge system, represent a largely unexplored habitat that could potentially host a significant and unique microbial biosphere. The present state of knowledge and many remaining challenges are discussed.
Cowen
James P
JP
Department of Oceanography, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, Univerisity of Hawaii, 1000 Pope Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. jcowen@soest.hawaii.edu
D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019641:DNA, Archaeal; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D008386:Marine Biology; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D013696:Temperature
D019641:DNA, Archaeal; D004269:DNA, Bacterial