Schrenk Matthew O, Kelley Deborah S, Bolton Sheryl A, Baross John A
School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Environ Microbiol. 2004 Oct;6(10):1086-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2004.00650.x.
The recently discovered Lost City Hydrothermal Field (LCHF) represents a new type of submarine hydrothermal system driven primarily by exothermic serpentinization reactions in ultramafic oceanic crust. Highly reducing, alkaline hydrothermal environments at the LCHF produce considerable quantities of hydrogen, methane and organic molecules through chemo- and biosynthetic reactions. Here, we report the first analyses of microbial communities inhabiting carbonate chimneys awash in warm, high pH fluids at the LCHF and the predominance of a single group of methane-metabolizing Archaea. The predominant phylotype, related to the Methanosarcinales, formed tens of micrometre-thick biofilms in regions adjacent to hydrothermal flow. Exterior portions of active structures harboured a diverse microbial community composed primarily of filamentous Eubacteria that resembled sulphide-oxidizing species. Inactive samples, away from regions of hydrothermal flow, contained phylotypes related to pelagic microorganisms. The abundance of organisms linked to the volatile chemistry at the LCHF hints that similar metabolic processes may operate in the subseafloor. These results expand the range of known geological settings that support biological activity to include submarine hydrothermal systems that are not dependent upon magmatic heat sources.
最近发现的失落之城热液区（LCHF）代表了一种新型的海底热液系统，其主要由超镁铁质洋壳中的放热蛇纹石化反应驱动。LCHF处高度还原的碱性热液环境通过化学合成和生物合成反应产生大量氢气、甲烷和有机分子。在此，我们报告了对居住在LCHF温暖、高pH值流体中的碳酸盐烟囱内微生物群落的首次分析，以及一组单一的甲烷代谢古菌的优势地位。与甲烷八叠球菌目相关的主要系统发育型在热液流附近区域形成了数十微米厚的生物膜。活跃结构的外部区域有一个多样的微生物群落，主要由类似硫化物氧化物种的丝状真细菌组成。远离热液流区域的非活跃样本含有与远洋微生物相关的系统发育型。与LCHF挥发性化学相关的生物丰度表明，类似的代谢过程可能在海底以下发生。这些结果扩展了已知支持生物活动的地质环境范围，使其包括不依赖岩浆热源的海底热液系统。
