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.
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
James P
JP
Cowen
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