Deep-sea hydrocarbon seep communities: evidence for energy and nutritional carbon sources

Journal Article · Fri Nov 20 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.238.4830.1138· OSTI ID:6784967

Brooks, J M; Kennicutt, II, M C; Fisher, C R; Macko, S A; Cole, K; Childress, J J; Bidigare, R R; Vetter, R D

Mussels, clams, and tube worms collected in the vicinity of hydrocarbon seeps on the Louisiana slope contain mostly dead carbon, indicating that dietary carbon is largely derived from seeping oil and gas. Enzyme assays, elemental sulfur analysis, and carbon dioxide fixation studies demonstrate that vestimentiferan tube worms and three clam species contain intracellular, autotrophic sulfur bacterial symbionts. Carbon isotopic ratios of 246 individual animal tissues were used to differentiate heterotrophic (delta/sup 14/C = -14 to -20 per mil), sulfur-based (delta/sup 14/C = -30 to -42 per mil), and methane-based (delta/sup 13/C = <-40 per mil) energy sources. Mussels with symbiotic methanotrophic bacteria reflect the carbon isotopic composition of the methane source. Isotopically light nitrogen and sulfur confirm the chemoautotrophic nature of the seep animals. Sulfur-based chemosynthetic animals contain isotopically light sulfur, whereas methane-based symbiotic mussels more closely reflect the heavier oceanic sulfate pool. The nitrogen requirement of some seep animals may be supported by nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Some grazing neogastropods have isotopic values characteristic of chemosynthetic animals, suggesting the transfer of carbon into the background deep-sea fauna.

• Research Organization: Texas A and M Univ., College Station (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6784967
• Journal Information: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Science (Washington, D.C.); (United States) Vol. 238; ISSN SCIEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism &amp; Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BACTERIA
CARBON 13
CARBON DIOXIDE FIXATION
CARBON ISOTOPES
CARBON SOURCES
CLAMS
ENERGY SOURCES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION VI
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROCARBONS
INVERTEBRATES
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
LOUISIANA
MASS TRANSFER
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
MOLLUSCS
MUSSELS
NATURAL GAS
NITROGEN FIXATION
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
SEEPS
STABLE ISOTOPES
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYMBIOSIS
USA