Chemical speciation drives hydrothermal vent ecology

George W. Luther (), Tim F. Rozan, Martial Taillefert, Donald B. Nuzzio, Carol Di Meo, Timothy M. Shank, Richard A. Lutz and S. Craig Cary
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George W. Luther: College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware
Tim F. Rozan: College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware
Martial Taillefert: College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware
Donald B. Nuzzio: Analytical Instrument Systems, Inc.
Carol Di Meo: College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware
Timothy M. Shank: MS #34 1-16 Redfield, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Richard A. Lutz: Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University
S. Craig Cary: College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware

Nature, 2001, vol. 410, issue 6830, 813-816

Abstract: Abstract The physiology and biochemistry of many taxa inhabiting deep-sea hydrothermal vents have been elucidated1,2,3,4; however, the physicochemical factors controlling the distribution of these organisms at a given vent site remain an enigma after 20 years of research5,6,7,8,9,10,11. The chemical speciation of particular elements has been suggested as key to controlling biological community structure in these extreme aquatic environments7,11,12. Implementation of electrochemical technology13,14 has allowed us to make in situ measurements of chemical speciation at vents located at the East Pacific Rise (9° 50′ N) and on a scale relevant to the biology. Here we report that significant differences in oxygen, iron and sulphur speciation strongly correlate with the distribution of specific taxa in different microhabitats. In higher temperature (> 30 °C) microhabitats, the appreciable formation of soluble iron-sulphide molecular clusters markedly reduces the availability of free H2S/HS- to vent (micro)organisms, thus controlling the available habitat.

Date: 2001
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DOI: 10.1038/35071069

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