Genomic Evidence for Formate Metabolism by Chloroflexi as the Key to Unlocking Deep Carbon in Lost City Microbial Ecosystems

• Julia M. McGonigle ^[1] ; Susan Q. Lang ^[2] ; William J. Brazelton ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Utah

     University of Utah

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] University of South Carolina

     University of South Carolina

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, ISSN 0099-2240, Vol. 86, Nº 8, 2020
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Primitive forms of life may have originated around hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ancient ocean. The Lost City hydrothermal vent field, fueled by just rock and water, provides an analog for not only primitive ecosystems but also potential extraterrestrial rock-powered ecosystems. The microscopic life covering the towering chimney structures at the Lost City has been previously documented, yet little is known about the carbon cycling in this ecosystem. These results provide a better understanding of how carbon from the deep subsurface can fuel rich microbial ecosystems on the seafloor.