Microbial utilization of naturally occurring hydrocarbons at the Guaymas Basin hydrothermal vent site

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5926639

Bazylinski, D A; Wirsen, C O; Jannasch, H W ^[1]

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1. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA (USA)

The Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California; depth, 2,000 m) is a site of hydrothermal activity in which petroliferous materials is formed by thermal alteration of deposited planktonic and terrestrial organic matter. We investigated certain components of these naturally occurring hydrocarbons as potential carbon sources for a specific microflora at these deep-sea vent sites. Respiratory conversion of (1-{sup 14}C)hexadecane and (1(4,5,8)-{sup 14}C)naphthalene to {sup 14}CO{sub 2} was observed at 4{degree}C and 25{degree}C, and some was observed at 55{degree}C, but none was observed at 80{degree}C. Bacterial isolates were capable of growing on both substrates as the sole carbon source. All isolates were aerobic and mesophilic with respect to growth on hydrocarbons but also grew at low temperatures (4 to 5{degree}C). These results correlate well with previous geochemical analyses, indicating microbial hydrocarbon degradation, and show that at least some of the thermally produced hydrocarbons at Guaymas Basin are significant carbon sources to vent microbiota.

• OSTI ID: 5926639
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA) Vol. 55:11; ISSN 0099-2240; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540311* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- Radiometric Techniques-- (1990-)
BACTERIA
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ECOLOGY
FUMAROLES
GULF OF CALIFORNIA
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC OCEAN
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
TRACER TECHNIQUES