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Hydrogen is an energy source for hydrothermal vent symbioses
Jillian M Petersen1, Frank U Zielinski, Thomas Pape
1Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1, 28359 Bremen, Germany.
Nature
|August 12, 2011
Summary
Deep-sea vent mussels use hydrogen to power primary production through symbiotic bacteria. This hydrogen-fueled chemosynthesis is now recognized as a widespread energy source in these unique ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Geochemistry
- Microbial ecology
Background:
- Deep-sea hydrothermal vents host unique ecosystems.
- These ecosystems rely on chemosynthesis, primarily using sulfur or methane.
- Symbiotic bacteria are crucial for primary production in these environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alternative energy sources for hydrothermal vent symbioses.
- To identify the energy source utilized by Bathymodiolus mussel symbionts.
- To determine the prevalence of hydrogen oxidation in vent-associated symbioses.
Main Methods:
- Metagenome sequencing
- Single-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
- Immunohistochemistry
- Shipboard incubations
- In situ mass spectrometry
Main Results:
- Symbionts of Mid-Atlantic Ridge Bathymodiolus mussels use hydrogen for primary production.
- Symbionts of Pacific Bathymodiolus mussels possess the hupL gene for hydrogen oxidation.
- The hupL gene was also found in symbionts of Riftia pachyptila and Rimicaris exoculata.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogen is a significant energy source for primary production in hydrothermal vent symbioses.
- The ability to utilize hydrogen is widespread among hydrothermal vent animal symbionts.
- Hydrogen-fueled chemosynthesis is likely prevalent in hydrogen-rich vent environments.
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