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Full-Text Articles in Earth Sciences
Habitability Of The Oceanic Alkaline Serpentinite Subsurface: A Case Study Of The Lost City Hydrothermal Field, Susan Q. Lang, William J. Brazelton
Habitability Of The Oceanic Alkaline Serpentinite Subsurface: A Case Study Of The Lost City Hydrothermal Field, Susan Q. Lang, William J. Brazelton
Faculty Publications
The Lost City hydrothermal field is a dramatic example of the biological potential of serpentinization. Microbial life is prevalent throughout the Lost City chimneys, powered by the hydrogen gas and organic molecules produced by serpentinization and its associated geochemical reactions. Microbial life in the serpentinite subsurface below the Lost City chimneys, however, is unlikely to be as dense or active. The marine serpentinite subsurface poses serious challenges for microbial activity, including low porosities, the combination of stressors of elevated temperature, high pH and a lack of bioavailable ∑CO2. A better understanding of the biological opportunities and challenges in serpentinizing systems …
Mineralizing Filamentous Bacteria From The Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field Give New Insights Into The Functioning Of Serpentinization-Based Subseafloor Ecosystems, Céline Pisapia, Emmanuelle Gérard, Martine Gérard, Léna Lecourt, Susan Q. Lang, Bernard Pelletier, Claude E. Payri, Christophe Monnin, Linda Guentas, Anne Postec, Marianne Quéméneur, Gaël Erauso, Bénédicte Ménez
Mineralizing Filamentous Bacteria From The Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field Give New Insights Into The Functioning Of Serpentinization-Based Subseafloor Ecosystems, Céline Pisapia, Emmanuelle Gérard, Martine Gérard, Léna Lecourt, Susan Q. Lang, Bernard Pelletier, Claude E. Payri, Christophe Monnin, Linda Guentas, Anne Postec, Marianne Quéméneur, Gaël Erauso, Bénédicte Ménez
Faculty Publications
Despite their potential importance as analogs of primitive microbial metabolisms, the knowledge of the structure and functioning of the deep ecosystems associated with serpentinizing environments is hampered by the lack of accessibility to relevant systems. These hyperalkaline environments are depleted in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), making the carbon sources and assimilation pathways in the associated ecosystems highly enigmatic. The Prony Bay Hydrothermal Field (PHF) is an active serpentinization site where, similar to Lost City (Mid-Atlantic Ridge), high-pH fluids rich in H2 and CH4 are discharged from carbonate chimneys at the seafloor, but in a shallower lagoonal environment. This study aimed …
Metagenomic Identification Of Active Methanogens And Methanotrophs In Serpentinite Springs Of The Voltri Massif, Italy, William J. Brazelton, Christopher N. Thornton, Alex Hyer, Katrina I. Twing, August A. Longino, Susan Q. Lang, Marvin D. Lilley, Gretchen L. Früh-Green, Matthew O. Schrenk
Metagenomic Identification Of Active Methanogens And Methanotrophs In Serpentinite Springs Of The Voltri Massif, Italy, William J. Brazelton, Christopher N. Thornton, Alex Hyer, Katrina I. Twing, August A. Longino, Susan Q. Lang, Marvin D. Lilley, Gretchen L. Früh-Green, Matthew O. Schrenk
Faculty Publications
The production of hydrogen and methane by geochemical reactions associated with the serpentinization of ultramafic rocks can potentially support subsurface microbial ecosystems independent of the photosynthetic biosphere. Methanogenic and methanotrophic microorganisms are abundant in marine hydrothermal systems heavily influenced by serpentinization, but evidence for methane-cycling archaea and bacteria in continental serpentinite springs has been limited. This report provides metagenomic and experimental evidence for active methanogenesis and methanotrophy by microbial communities in serpentinite springs of the Voltri Massif, Italy. Methanogens belonging to family Methanobacteriaceae and methanotrophic bacteria belonging to family Methylococcaceae were heavily enriched in three ultrabasic springs (pH 12). Metagenomic …
Investigations Of Potential Microbial Methanogenic And Carbon Monoxide Utilization Pathways In Ultra-Basic Reducing Springs Associated With Present-Day Continental Serpentinization: The Tablelands, Nl, Can, Penny L. Morrill, William J. Brazelton, Lukas Kohl, Amanda Rietze, Sarah M. Miles, Heidi Kavanagh, Matthew O. Schrenk, Susan E. Ziegler, Susan Q. Lang
Investigations Of Potential Microbial Methanogenic And Carbon Monoxide Utilization Pathways In Ultra-Basic Reducing Springs Associated With Present-Day Continental Serpentinization: The Tablelands, Nl, Can, Penny L. Morrill, William J. Brazelton, Lukas Kohl, Amanda Rietze, Sarah M. Miles, Heidi Kavanagh, Matthew O. Schrenk, Susan E. Ziegler, Susan Q. Lang
Faculty Publications
Ultra-basic reducing springs at continental sites of serpentinization act as portals into the biogeochemistry of a subsurface environment with H2 and CH4 present. Very little, however, is known about the carbon substrate utilization, energy sources, and metabolic pathways of the microorganisms that live in this ultra-basic environment. The potential for microbial methanogenesis with bicarbonate, formate, acetate, and propionate precursors and carbon monoxide (CO) utilization pathways were tested in laboratory experiments by adding substrates to water and sediment from the Tablelands, NL, CAD, a site of present-day continental serpentinization. Microbial methanogenesis was not observed after bicarbonate, formate, acetate, or propionate addition. …