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Chemosynthetic ecosystems study. Final report. Volume 1. Executive summary

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:273204
Volume I presents a brief summary of the findings of a three year investigation of the geology, chemistry, and biology of chemosynthetic ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. These dense assemblages of tube worms, mussels and/or clams are primarily dependent upon chemical conditions generated by natural oils and gas seeps. Hydrocarbon seeps produce a variety of distinctive geological features including carbonate rock, mud volcanoes, and hydrate mounds, which tend to be localized to areas less than 1 km. The interaction of the sediment bacteria with the hydrocarbons in the seafloor yields a highly specialized chemical environment featuring high levels of hydrogen sulfide and degraded oils.
Research Organization:
Texas A and M Univ., College Station, TX (United States). Geochemical and Environmental Research Group
OSTI ID:
273204
Report Number(s):
PB--96-185780/XAB; CNN: Contract MMS-14-35-0001-3-555
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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