In situ microbial ecology of hydrothermal vent sediments

Lipid analysis of a preliminary sampling of the Endeavor Ridge hydrothermal vent site was performed in order to estimate the extent and nature of the diversity of the microbial community. The vent microbial community was found to be highly variable in density and composition. Evidence was found for...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:FEMS microbiology ecology 1992-06, Vol.101 (1), p.1-10
Main Authors: HEDRIK, D. B, PLEDGER, R. D, WHITE, D. C, BAROSS, J. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Beggiatoa
Biological and medical sciences
Eubacteria
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Marine
Microbial ecology
Thiobacillus
Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water)
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Summary:Lipid analysis of a preliminary sampling of the Endeavor Ridge hydrothermal vent site was performed in order to estimate the extent and nature of the diversity of the microbial community. The vent microbial community was found to be highly variable in density and composition. Evidence was found for a dense microbial community of archaebacteria and possibly Thiobacilli in the interior of the flange of a black smoker, a red Beggiatoa -type colony in a sediment sample, and large amounts of polyenoic fatty acids of the type previously found in barophilic eubacteria. Lipid analysis provided a "snapshot" of the in situ biomass, community structure, and metabolic status of the microbial community, a valuable addition to the techniques available to the microbial ecologist.
ISSN:0168-6496
1574-6941
DOI:10.1016/0168-6496(92)90065-2