Download As Sulfate

Cold Seep Research
at MBARI
S. Goffredi and V. Orphan
Scientists at MBARI are
involved in many different
projects, including….
Ecology - both Midwater and Benthic
Benthic Biology
Biological Oceanography
Microbiology (Picoplankton Studies)
Molecular Biology
Protozoan Biology
Toxicology Studies
Phytoplankton Studies
Biogeochemistry (Upper Ocean and Benthic)
Coastal Upwelling Research
The Benthic Ecology group studies
areas known as cold seeps,
122° 30'
122° 20'
122° 10'
122° 00'
Monterey Bay
Cold Seeps
121° 50'
36° 50'
Santa Cruz
Invert Cliff
Clam Flat
Mt. Crushmore
Tubeworm City
36° 40'
Clam Field
Axial Valley
36° 30'
Monterey
5
0
122° 30'
5
10 km
122° 20'
122° 10'
122° 00'
121° 50'
within Monterey Bay….
What is a cold seep?
Places where energy-rich
fluids are
out of the ocean
floor due to the geology of
the underlying sediments or
due to the physiological
functioning of the subsurface
microbial community.
In the late 1970’s scientists discovered novel deep-sea ecosystems fueled primarily by
hydrogen sulfide oxidation (chemosynthetic), rather than by plant photosynthesis.
In Monterey Bay, sulfide-rich systems, teeming with chemosynthetically supported
life were first discovered in the 1980's near 3200 meters depth. Since then, scientists
have focused on a number of shallower cold seep areas in Monterey Bay where
dense invertebrate communities have been found.
Most life on earth is fueled directly or indirectly by sunlight.
There are, however, small ecosystems, such as the seeps in Monterey
Bay, that depend on bacteria whose life functions are fueled not by
the sun but by simple inorganic chemicals, like hydrogen sulfide.
Most life on earth is fueled directly or indirectly by sunlight.
There are, however, small ecosystems, such as the seeps in Monterey
Bay, that depend on bacteria whose life functions are fueled not by
the sun but by simple inorganic chemicals, like hydrogen sulfide.
The dominant members of the animal
community in these areas are often
those living in association with
bacterial symbionts, and encompass
a wide range of phyla, including worms
and clams.
What types of questions are MBARI
researchers asking about these environments?
?
Chemistry
?
?
Free
living
bacteria
?
Animals
Bacterial
Mats
MBARI scientists
study the chemistry of
the deep sea world
Here, the ROV deploys a device used to
capture seawater
Scientists can collect this water and
analyze it for chemical compounds back
in the laboratory.
How do we study the
bottom of the ocean?
Remotely operated vehicles -ROV’s
allow us to send our brain (and hands)
to the sea floor
Here, scientists are collecting sediment
samples using the ROV manipulator
Once the sediment cores have been brought to
the surface by the ROV, scientists process the
cores for chemical and microbiological analyses.
Here, an MBARI researcher cuts the core into sections
inside a no-oxygen atmosphere “glove box”
Sediment Core from a methane-rich Monterey cold seep
This is a chemistry “profile” from the core
1200
800
600
400
200
0
1000
Methane (µM)
Depth into the sediment (cm)
0
CH 4
4
SO4
Bacteria feed on
methane and sulfate
8
12
16
0
5
10
15
20
Sulfate (mM)
25
30
See How
1200
800
600
400
0
1000
Methane (µM)
200
As Sulfate (SO4) is
consumed by bacteria,
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
is produced
Depth into the sediment (cm)
0
H2S
CH 4
4
SO4
8
12
16
0
5
10
15
20
Sulfate (mM)
25
30
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments
is utilized by anaerobic bacteria
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments
is utilized by anaerobic bacteria
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments
is utilized by anaerobic bacteria
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
1) Localized CH4 in sediments
is utilized by anaerobic bacteria
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
As energy-rich seawater sulfate diffuses
into sediments, it is consumed by
anaerobic bacteria along with methane
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
As energy-rich seawater sulfate diffuses
into sediments, it is consumed by
anaerobic bacteria along with methane
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
As energy-rich seawater sulfate diffuses
into sediments, it is consumed by
anaerobic bacteria along with methane
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
SO4
SULFATE
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
As CH4 and SO4 are
consumed, large
amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and carbon
dioxide are produced
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
SO4
SULFATE
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
As CH4 and SO4 are
consumed, large
amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and carbon
dioxide are produced
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CO2
As CH4 and SO4 are
consumed, large
amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and carbon
dioxide are produced
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CO2
As CH4 and SO4 are
consumed, large
amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and carbon
dioxide are produced
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CO2
As CH4 and SO4 are
consumed, large
amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and carbon
dioxide are produced
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CO2
As CH4 and SO4 are
consumed, large
amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and carbon
dioxide are produced
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CO2
As CH4 and SO4 are
consumed, large
amounts of hydrogen
sulfide and carbon
dioxide are produced
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
CHEMOSYNTHETIC CLAM
COMMUNITIES
SO4
SULFATE
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CO2
EXCUSE
ME!
How do bacteria influence the physical and
chemical environment at seep sites?
SO4
SULFATE
CLAM SYMBIONTS CAN THEN
USE THE SULFIDE PRODUCED
BY THE BACTERIA
(plus oxygen) TO LIVE
O2
OXYGEN
SEAWATER
SEDIMENT
SO4
Methane-oxidizing &
Sulfate Reducing Bacteria
CH4
METHANE
CO2
EXCUSE
ME!
How do other organisms take advantage of bacterially
produced sulfide?...
It’s called “chemosynthesis”
The process in which carbohydrates are manufactured from carbon
dioxide and water using chemical nutrients as the energy source,
rather than the sunlight used for energy in photosynthesis.
How do other organisms take advantage of bacterially
produced sulfide?...
It’s called “chemosynthesis”
The process in which carbohydrates are manufactured from carbon
dioxide and water using chemical nutrients as the energy source,
rather than the sunlight used for energy in photosynthesis.
During Photosynthesis green plants produce organic carbon
compounds from carbon dioxide and
water, using sunlight as energy. These
compounds can then enter the food chain.
How do other organisms take advantage of bacterially
produced sulfide?...
It’s called “chemosynthesis”
The process in which carbohydrates are manufactured from carbon
dioxide and water using chemical nutrients as the energy source,
rather than the sunlight used for energy in photosynthesis.
During Photosynthesis green plants produce organic carbon
compounds from carbon dioxide and
water, using sunlight as energy. These
compounds can then enter the food chain.
During Chemosynthesis - hydrogen sulfide
is the energy source and it is either taken
up by free-living bacteria or absorbed by
the host invertebrates, and transported to
the symbionts. The bacteria use the energy
from sulfide to fuel the same cycle that plants
use, again resulting in organic carbon compounds
How do other organisms take advantage of bacterially
produced sulfide?...
It’s called “chemosynthesis”
The process in which carbohydrates are manufactured from carbon
dioxide and water using chemical nutrients as the energy source,
rather than the sunlight used for energy in photosynthesis.
During Photosynthesis green plants produce organic carbon
compounds from carbon dioxide and
water, using sunlight as energy. These
compounds can then enter the food chain.
During Chemosynthesis - hydrogen sulfide
is the energy source and it is either taken
up by free-living bacteria or absorbed by
the host invertebrates, and transported to
the symbionts. The bacteria use the energy
from sulfide to fuel the same cycle that plants
use, again resulting in organic carbon compounds
What kinds of organisms in Monterey Bay
use chemosynthesis for survival?...
Large bacterial mats
use sulfide for energy
Scientists study these bacterial mats in
order to determine the taxonomy,
morphology, environmental setting,
and ultrastructure of these fascinating
organisms.
Scientists at MBARI study these
bacteria using a variety of
microscopic techniques,
including….
Fluorescence microscopy
Scanning electron microscopy
Light microscopy
Large communities of
clams and worms
also use sulfide for energy
MBARI scientists are studying these
animals to better understand the
physiology, ecology, and energetics
of these animal communities.
These clams and worms don’t have stomachs or mouths!!
…How do they survive?
It’s called “symbiosis”
Living together of organisms of different species.
The term usually applies to a dependent relationship
that is beneficial to both members (also called mutualism).
Symbiosis may occur between plants, animals and/or bacteria
These clams and worms don’t have stomachs or mouths!!
…How do they survive?
It’s called “symbiosis”
Living together of organisms of different species.
The term usually applies to a dependent relationship
that is beneficial to both members (also called mutualism).
Symbiosis may occur between plants, animals and/or bacteria
At seep sites, it is common for
bacteria and animals to form
symbiotic associations.
Young animals acquire their bacterial
symbionts either from their parents or
from swallowing them in sea water.
These clams and worms don’t have stomachs or mouths!!
…How do they survive?
It’s called “symbiosis”
Living together of organisms of different species.
The term usually applies to a dependent relationship
that is beneficial to both members (also called mutualism).
Symbiosis may occur between plants, animals and/or bacteria
At seep sites, it is common for
bacteria and animals to form
symbiotic associations.
Young animals acquire their bacterial
symbionts either from their parents or
from swallowing them in sea water.
These clams and worms don’t have stomachs or mouths!!
…How do they survive?
It’s called “symbiosis”
Living together of organisms of different species.
The term usually applies to a dependent relationship
that is beneficial to both members (also called mutualism).
Symbiosis may occur between plants, animals and/or bacteria
At seep sites, it is common for
bacteria and animals to form
symbiotic associations.
Young animals acquire their bacterial
symbionts either from their parents or
from swallowing them in sea water.
Gulp!
These clams and worms don’t have stomachs or mouths!!
…How do they survive?
It’s called “symbiosis”
Living together of organisms of different species.
The term usually applies to a dependent relationship
that is beneficial to both members (also called mutualism).
Symbiosis may occur between plants, animals and/or bacteria
Once inside, the bacteria and animal host
become partners. The bacteria multiply within
the host, eventually integrating completely.
The animal benefits from food produced by
the bacteria and the symbiont benefits from
the shelter and stable environment provided
by the host.
Seep clams are no ordinary clams!!
Seep clams are no ordinary clams!!
Ordinary clam
Clam chowder
- yum -
Seep clams are no ordinary clams!!
Ordinary clam
Extraordinary clam
Clam chowder
- yum -
Rotten eggs
- yuck -
Adductor muscles
Mantle
Gills (symbionts)
carbon
dioxide
oxygen
Siphons
Foot
bacterial
symbionts
water
Unlike other animals, these
clams must take up carbon
sediment
dioxide (through their enlarged
gills) and sulfide (through their
foot) in order meet the needs
of their symbionts.
sulfide
In addition to strictly ‘seep’ animals, a variety of other
animals benefit from foraging within seep sites.
These include….
Sea urchins
Crabs
Sea cucumbers
Brittle stars
King crabs
MBARI researchers continue to study Monterey Bay
using an interdisciplinary approach, combining biology,
with chemistry, geology, and engineering, in hopes of
gaining a better understanding of our world’s oceans