Project description:<p>Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are unique ecosystems that may release chemically distinct dissolved organic matter to the deep ocean. Here, we describe the composition and concentrations of polar dissolved organic compounds observed in low and high temperature hydrothermal vent fluids at 9°50′N on the East Pacific Rise. The concentration of dissolved organic carbon was 46 µM in the low temperature hydrothermal fluids and 14 µM in the high temperature hydrothermal fluids. In the low temperature vent fluids, quantifiable dissolved organic compounds were dominated by water-soluble vitamins and amino acids. Derivatives of benzoic acid and the organic sulfur compound 2,3-dihydroxypropane-1-sulfonate (DHPS) were also present in low and high temperature hydrothermal fluids. The low temperature vent fluids contain organic compounds that are central to biological processes, suggesting that they are a by-product of biological activity in the subseafloor. These compounds may fuel heterotrophic and other metabolic processes at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and beyond.</p>
Project description:The present study describes the isolation of a Thermococcus sp. strain 175 from the world‘s deepest hydrothermal vent sites known thus far – The Mid-Cayman Rise.consisting of two hydrothermal venting systems Bee Bee (or Piccard), at 4950m depth and Von Damm (or Walsh) at 2300m The strain is capable of growth over 0.1MPa (atm. Pressure) to 120MPa, the widest known range of pressure dependent growth. The study further explores piezophilic adaptation using comparative genomic tools. Insights into the transcriptome of this strain providers the first look into the transcriptional machinery of peizophilic Thermococci.
