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Unveiling Chemosynthetic Environments: Hydrothermal Vents and Cold Seeps

Explore the fascinating world of chemosynthetic environments like hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, where autotrophic bacteria synthesize organic compounds, supporting diverse fauna in unique ecosystems. Discover the origins of life on Earth and the ancient relatives of modern species.

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Unveiling Chemosynthetic Environments: Hydrothermal Vents and Cold Seeps

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  1. Chemosynthetic Environments Katrina Pekar

  2. What is it? • Chemosynthesis: The synthesis of organic compounds by energy derived from chemical changes or reactions • Autotrophic bacteria synthesize the organic compounds • Other animals either have a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria or prey upon other fauna http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~carr/2003Lecture%2015%20MOR.pdf

  3. Two Major Examples • Hydrothermal vents • Mid-ocean ridges • Cold seeps • Trenches, oil/natural gas rich areas of sea floor, brine pools, areas of methane hydrate

  4. Hydrothermal vents Sulfide-rich High temps High pH (2.8) Associated with black smokers Cold seeps Methane-rich Very low temps Normal ocean pH Can be anywhere methane seeps out Comparison www.mbari.org/news/news_releases/2002/oct17_vrijenhoek.html www.mbayaq.org/efc/living_species/ default.asp?inhab=199

  5. Hydrothermal vent fauna (modern) • Blind shrimp, giant white crabs, bivalves, a variety of tube worms • “Naked” snails: High pH prevents shell formation • Specialized characteristics • Metal-binding proteins in body systems • Metal expelling mucus in tubeworms http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~carr/2003Lecture%2015%20MOR.pdf

  6. Cold Seep fauna (modern) • Similar to vent fauna • Higher diversity • Less harsh environment or less limited dispersal • Still have autotrophic bacteria at the base of the food web

  7. Ancient fauna example from Silurian • Bacteria, again • Brachiopods and monoplacophorans • Relatives of tube worms • Example from Yaman Kasy mine in the Urals of Russia: volcanogenic massive sulfide http://www.nhm.ac.uk/mineralogy/intro/project5/

  8. In conclusion… • Thought to be origins of life on the Earth • Many life forms unique to environment (300+ species to date, 95% new to science) • Some have changed little from ancient relatives • Several fossilized analogs exist and are being studied

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