Investigations of Microbial Fe and Sulfide Mineral Oxidation at Seafloor Hydrothermal Vents

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA

Investigators

Abstract

The aim of this proposal is to better understand the extent to which the oxidation of sulfide minerals is controlled by biologic processes. In parallel, this study will also evaluate how much primary biological productivity (bacterial) is supported by sulfide minerals in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents. The study uses samples previously collected at the Endevour and Middle Valley segments of Juan de Fuca. Studies include RNA-based microbial surveys to determine the extent to which they live on sulfide surfaces, microscopic (fluoresence and SEM/EDX) analses to look for patterns of biological activity on various minerals, and laboratory culture studies. Microbial diversity will be evaluated using seveal techniques including DNA extraction and analysis.