A serpentinite-hosted ecosystem: the Lost City hydrothermal field.
The serpentinite-hosted Lost City hydrothermal field is a remarkable submarine ecosystem in which geological, chemical, and biological processes are intimately interlinked. Reactions between seawater and upper mantle peridotite produce methane- and hydrogen-rich fluids, with temperatures ranging from <40 degrees to 90 degrees C at pH 9 to 11, and carbonate chimneys 30 to 60 meters tall. A low diversity of microorganisms related to methane-cycling Archaea thrive in the warm porous interiors of the edifices. Macrofaunal communities show a degree of species diversity at least as high as that of black smoker vent sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, but they lack the high biomasses of chemosynthetic organisms that are typical of volcanically driven systems.
Kelley
Deborah S
DS
School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. kelley@ocean.washington.edu
Karson
Jeffrey A
JA
Früh-Green
Gretchen L
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Yoerger
Dana R
DR
Shank
Timothy M
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Butterfield
David A
DA
Hayes
John M
JM
Schrenk
Matthew O
MO
Olson
Eric J
EJ
Proskurowski
Giora
G
Jakuba
Mike
M
Bradley
Al
A
Larson
Ben
B
Ludwig
Kristin
K
Glickson
Deborah
D
Buckman
Kate
K
Bradley
Alexander S
AS
Brazelton
William J
WJ
Roe
Kevin
K
Elend
Mitch J
MJ
Delacour
Adélie
A
Bernasconi
Stefano M
SM
Lilley
Marvin D
MD
Baross
John A
JA
Summons
Roger E
RE
Sylva
Sean P
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D000818:Animals; D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D044822:Biodiversity; D018533:Biomass; D002254:Carbonates; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D005399:Fishes; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007448:Invertebrates; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D012623:Seawater
D002254:Carbonates; D008055:Lipids; D006859:Hydrogen; D008697:Methane